United States New Member Welcome Kit
The CouchSurfing Wiki, an informal workspace which anyone can edit.
Hello, new or experienced CouchSurfer. We have designed this page as a handy reference to help make your CouchSurfing experience a fulfilling one. Keep a link to this page where you can find it, and return to it if you have trouble finding tips or information you need on the CouchSurfing.com web site.
Contents |
Getting Started
CouchSurfing.com is a web site with policies and procedures you should become familiar with or at least be aware of. In addition to those policies, there are certain courtesies that are important to users of the site and are part of what we might think of as the culture of CouchSurfing. Please read the CouchSurfing Terms of Use and the CouchSurfing Guidelines for important information on making the most of the CouchSurfing system.
Please be aware that CouchSurfing is NOT a Dating Site, and that SPAM (unsolicited or inappropriate email) is not acceptable on CouchSurfing.
More information about SPAM and how to deal with it
Your Profile: Your CouchSurfing Personality
Your CouchSurfing profile is the first impression many other CouchSurfers will have of you. It is the face you present to potential hosts and surfers, and as such it is important to fill it out completely, to represent yourself as fully and honestly as possible.
Please spend some time completing your profile. You are asking someone to share their friendship with you, to open their home to you, or to share your home with them. Let your soon-to-be friends know who you are. One-word answers do not do this. Paint a picture of who you are and what you are like.
Photographs
You can upload photos to your CouchSurfing profile. If you're not comfortable uploading photos of yourself you're not required to, but keep in mind that it may be difficult for potential hosts or surfers to recognize you without personal photos.
Description
This is where you tell the CouchSurfing world who you are. It is comprised of several different sections, and each section offers an opportunity to represent another facet or two of your personality. Edit your description to tell people about yourself, your likes and dislikes, your interests, and what you think of CouchSurfing.
Be sure to save/update your profile on each page. Do short edits and save the information often.
Privacy Settings
Browse your privacy settings. These settings to manage who can see your profile and who can contact you, as well as your CouchSurfing.com email preferences.
Couch Description
It's time to decide what your level of participation is going to be and fill out your couch information. Read the bullet questions below the form, and be as descriptive of possible about your couch and your hosting situation. If you're not able to host, you can choose "coffee or a drink," "Traveling at the moment," or "No."
Assess Your Profile
Take some time now to go to the edit profile page and explore all of its tabs to be sure that you have filled your profile out as completely as possible. Ask yourself this question: "If the person with this profile contacted me, would I host them or surf with them?"
Please note that we store data on several servers. It may take time after you update for your current information to appear. If, after 2 hours, you still do not see your updated information, please refresh your cache and restart your browser.
Other CouchSurfers: Who else is out there?
You've completed your profile, looked it over, tweaked it, and looked at it again. The novelty has started to wear off, and you're starting to feel vain or maybe getting a bit lonely. But guess what: there are lots of other CouchSurfers out there, and the organization's membership is growing all the time!
CouchSearch
To find other people on CouchSurfing, we'll use the CouchSearch tool, which you'll find in one of the tabs at the top of the page on the CouchSurfing.com web site.
For your first search, choose a rather large city, like London or Paris. Using the "location by selection" menu, click first on geographic region, then country, then the state/province field, and finally, the city you want to search in. Then, click on the "List surfers on next page" button beneath the search fields.
A new page will pop up, displaying a number of search results. Scroll down the page a bit and browse the results. Notice that there is a snapshot of each profile matching your search criteria, and the snapshots contain certain basic information. You'll also see some icons, whose meanings you can find here. Choose a profile that looks interesting, click on the picture or name, and peruse the profile; we'll discuss some of its elements below.
Friends and References
You will see a "Friends" section and a "References" section. This indicates that the member whose profile you are looking at has interacted with these other people. In most cases, they have at least met or talked.
Friends
A friend link tells how long the members have known each other, how well they know each other, and how they met. If the members have hosted, surfed, or traveled with each other, there will be an icon that indicates that.
You can make friends by surfing with them, hosting them, or traveling with them, or you can meet them at CouchSurfing events.
You can add a friend from your friend's profile. Simply click "Add Friend" on their profile.
References
References are really notes from past surfers and hosts to present surfers and hosts, sort of like recommendations. They are an important aspect of the system of trust upon which CouchSurfing is built, and as such they are meant to be an honest reflection of members' experiences of each other. They can be posiive, neutral, or negative. A reference is sort of a recommendation from one CouchSurfer to another, an indication of whether this is a good person to host or surf with.
Please keep in mind that a reference is for someone you have met in person and know well enough to have formed a reasonable and reliable opinion of them, not someone who you have only met for a 30 minute coffee date. If you have surfed with or hosted someone it is a good idea to leave them a reference. If you have only chatted online, please do not leave a reference!
You can add a reference from your friend's profile. Simply click "Add Reference" on their profile.
Vouches
A vouch is an indication that a member is very trustworthy. Along with references and verification, they constitute the CouchSurfing system of trust. Therefore, only members themselves deemed trustworthy are able to vouch for other members. In order to vouch for someone, you must have been vouched for by at least three other people, each of whom has also been vouched for by three other people. Keep in mind that a vouch cannot be revoked. If you have to ask yourself whether or not to vouch for someone, don't.
Groups
Another way to find and connect with other CouchSurfers is through groups. Most towns and cities with a sizeable CouchSurfing population will have a group for their members to join. There are also groups for different activities and interests, as well as groups to help you keep informed about the CouchSurfing organization and contribute your ideas for improving it.
Your Local Group
Find your local group and join it to see if members in your area are getting together or discussing anything of interest to you. To find your group, click on the "Groups" tab on your CouchSurfing page. Then, click on "Search Groups" to bring up the Find Groups form. Enter the name of your city into the "Keywords" field, select your country from the pull-down list, and click the "Begin Search" button. If you do not find your city's group, you can double-check by clicking through the "places" category, under "group categories."
Other Groups
There are groups for all kinds of interests, activities, and ideas on CouchSurfing. You can look for groups for specific purposes by using the groups search function, or by browsing categories. You can also join your country and state group, as well as groups for other locations you are interested in. It is a particularly good idea to join the groups for areas you plan on traveling through, in order to seek local advice and meet local CouchSurfers.
Group Etiquette
Keep in mind that CouchSurfing groups are, for the most part, self-moderated. General etiquette includes being respectful, and communicating patiently while keeping in mind that many people in the groups are not fluent in English. Another heads-up: Couch requests are not welcome in many city groups; read group guidelines or look for a "couch request" sub-group before posting one.
Events
Going to CouchSurfing events is a good way to meet some other members and get to know what CouchSurfers are like before you start traveling or hosting. An added bonus for new members is that meeting local members helps you make some CouchSurfing friends and perhaps get some references before hosts or surfers start looking over your profile.
Finding Events
CouchSurfing has an events function to help you find out what is going on in your local area or the area you're traveling through. To begin looking for events, click on the "Events" tab on your CouchSurfing page. A list of events around the United States will load, and if you browse it you will find it time-consuming and difficult to find events in your area. Above it there is a location filter. Choose your state from the location filter to narrow down the location, and the events in other places will be removed from the list.
Click on an event to see its details, and if it looks interesting you can join it by clicking the "join this meeting" button at the bottom.
On the other hand, if there do not appear to be any events scheduled for the area within which you are searching, do not despair! Instead, check the groups for that area. Some people set up get-togethers without using the events function and just post the information to groups.
Attending Events
As a new member of a group, one of the challenges of attending an event is finding and recognizing the rest of the group. Remember to look at the profiles of other attendees before you leave home, and try to commit at least a couple faces to memory. If you can remember the name that goes with the face, the other CouchSurfer will be appreciative of that when you introduce yourself. Another idea is to contact other members who will attend and arrange to meet someone beforehand and go together; that way at least you've got one buddy.
Another valuable pointer is to bring cash to a group event at a restaurant or bar, such as dinner or happy hour, in case your server will not separate the check for each person. It can be frustrating for everyone to have to juggle cash and cards for payment when what they really want to do is move on to the next spot.
Organizing Events
Nothing going on in your area? Set up an event yourself. First, you might want to read the how-to on setting up a meeting. Post to the group and see if anyone is interested in your idea. If there's never been a get-together in the area before, people may be eager to meet other CouchSurfers. A good first meet for a group is going out for drinks, but keep in mind that there may be members who are under 21 and try to find a place they can go, too.
A quick hint: If you will want to send invitations to people in the area where the event takes place, do a Couchsearch before you create the event. This will save you a step in the process, because emailed invitation lists are based on Couchsearch results.
CouchSurfing
We're finally ready to tackle the things you probably joined CouchSurfing to do: Surf couches while you travel, or host travelers on your own couch. The following section is a quick primer on those two things.
Getting a Couch
So you're going traveling and want to find a couch to crash on and hopefully some cool hosts to connect with. Do your best to plan ahead, because it can be difficult to find hosts with less than a week notice. if possible, try to start requesting 2 to 4 weeks out. Now is also a good time to make sure your profile is completed and up to date.
Finding Hosts
Finding hosts can be easy or difficult, depending on the area you are searching in. Some areas, especially small towns in rural areas, simply do not have any hosts, but don't assume that just because a town is small there's no one to stay with - give the Couchsearch a try and find out! Hosts in rarely visited small towns love the infrequent travelers who come through. And if there aren't any hosts, then as you travel through those areas and meet people, spread the word - maybe next time you'll have a couch to crash on!
Larger cities generally have quite a few hosts to choose from. Try a Couchsearch for your desired city or town, and peruse the results. If you're overwhelmed or having a tough time finding what you're looking for, you can filter the results quite a bit by using the options in the Advanced Couchsearch, but keep in mind that if you narrow them too much you can have just as much trouble finding a couch.
Pick a few hosts that look interesting to you. Look for things you have in common, or read the couch information to find hosts in the neighborhood you would like to stay in. Once you've picked out a few couches that look like they're your style, it's time to start writing couch requests.
Writing Couch Requests
First, from your couchsearch results, click on the photo or name of the host you'd like to stay with. That will take you to their profile, and above their profile photo you will see a "CouchSurf with ..." button. Press that button to bring up the couch request form.
At the top of the couch request form, there are a few fields for you to fill out regarding your arrival date and time, how many people you are, and your transportation method. Below that is the field for the actual request. Make sure you introduce yourself, and make the request personal by mentioning an interest or a favorite book that you and the host have in common (this will show that you read their profile). Also, be clear about your plans; don't say you want to stay 2 days if you really plan on staying 5.
For more tips on writing a couch request, read How to write a CouchRequest, as well as the sample request, blow.
Sample Couch Request:
Hello Ri,
I'm Derek, from Seattle, and I'm on a walking & hitchhiking trip across the States. I'm cheating a bit in Minnesota because my family is here, so I'll probably be riding into MSP with my sisters and then busing around town.
I'm looking for a couch for a couple nights, 17 and 18 July, and your profile caught my eye because I saw that you're a cheese snob; I'm a nearly everything snob, and I love cheese, beer, coffee, and wine (as you'll see if you look at my profile).
I don't need to be shown around or anything like that, because I've spent a fair amount of time in Minneapolis, but hanging out would definitely be cool, and I'd be love to cook you & your roommate a tasty (vegetarian) dinner, especially if it involves a little beer or wine too.
Thanks, and hope to talk to you soon, Derek
How Many Requests to Send
There's no real guideline on this, but it's good to start out by sending four or five requests. Often if you just send one you end up with no response at all, which obviously does not result in a couch.
How Long to Wait
You've sent some requests out to hosts in the city you'll be visiting, now all you have to do is wait. How long you wait depends on how much time you have. If you sent your requests during the week, it might be good to wait until at least the weekend, because some people have more time to get online then. If five days or so pass, and you still don't have a couch, it's probably time to start searching again.
What to do When You Hear Back
When you hear back from a host you've requested to surf with, it's nice to respond even if they said no. All your response needs to be is a simple thank you for getting back to you. If you got a "yes" response and you intend to stay with that person, be sure to respond to them as soon as possible to let them know that you will actually be coming, as well as to get contact details and set up a place and time to meet up.
If, on the other hand, you get a "yes" response from a host and do not need their couch, respond to them, too! It is extremely discourteous to no-show to someone who has offered you their hospitality, so any time you do not need a couch someone has offered, be sure to let them know.
While You're Traveling
Get your host's contact information when you hear back from them, and keep it accessible as you travel. If your plans change and you will not be staying with them, let them know as soon as possible so they do not rearrange their schedule for you, and so they can offer their couch to other travelers.
It is rude to no-show without letting a host know that you will not be surfing with them.
Finding and Meeting Your Host
Try to arrange details to meet with your host before you arrive. It's a lot easier that way and can avoid a lot of confusion that might result from getting lost looking for your host's house, having lost their phone number, etc. All sorts of contingencies, with differing levels of bizarreness, come up when you travel, and having already arranged a meeting with your host at least gives you the hope of eventually encountering a friendly person who may be able to help you with any problems you're having.
Tips for Surfers
The CouchSurfing Wiki has good tips for surfers, and it is recommended that you read them before surfing anyone's couch:
Hosting
You've completed your profile and you're ready to host travelers coming through your city, but where do you go from here? Well, you go about your day-to-day life and wait for a request to come in! But while you wait, there are a few things you should consider, such as:
Evaluating Profiles and Requests
How you evaluate requests is up to you. Some hosts require a completed profile, others are happy hosting new people who have little experience and have put minimal effort into their profiles.
It is wise, however, to read the surfer's profile completely, including whatever references have been left for them and the references they have left for others. You may check to see whether the surfer has been vouched for, or verified, and take that into account to help decide whether to host them.
Percentage of Requests Responded to
If you look in the "General Information" section of each profile you view, you will see "CouchSurf requests replied to." This is on your profile as well, and is a percentage that everyone sees, based on how frequently you respond to requests, whether the response is yes or no. If your percentage goes down, surfers may think that it's not worth their time to contact you, and you may get fewer requests as a result. If you want to keep getting requests, it's good to respond - and in a timely manner, too, even if you won't be hosting that particular person.
Responding to Requests
You can respond to requests with a simple yes or no, and you also have the option to click a box at the bottom of that page that will automatically append your address (but you aren't required to do that at this time).
Also in your response, you might make sure the surfer understands any special expectations or requirements that you have for hosting them, and mention any pets you have, just in case. You could also leave your phone number, to make sure the surfer has a way to contact you right off the bat. Suggest arranging your meeting time and place as soon as possible.
Will I Hear Back Before my Surfer Arrives?
Hopefully you will receive an email from your surfer acknowledging your response and letting you know whether they will be taking you up on your hospitality. If you do not hear from them after a few days, by all means, feel free to send an email and see if they plan on staying with you!
Finding and Meeting Your Surfer
This is where a pre-arranged meeting place comes in handy, as well as some advance communication (perhaps about what you or your surfer will be wearing or where exactly you'll be standing).
What to do if Circumstances Change and You Can't Host
If you agree to host someone and are unable to for any reason, let them know as soon as possible! When you're traveling, it is disappointing to have your bed for the night fall through. This is one of the reasons you and your surfer should exchange contact information in advance - travelers often don't have daily internet access, and it things will go much more smoothly if you can inform them by telephone.
Tips for Hosts
More tips for hosts can be found in the following documents on the CouchSurfing Wiki:
Getting Help
Ambassadors
There are many experienced CouchSurfers who volunteer their time and energy to help you. Some of them are called ambassadors.
Who are They?
An ambassador is an experienced, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic CouchSurfer who volunteers to help out with the web site, to answer questions and help members with problems, and promote CouchSurfing ideals in their own communities as well as their travels.
Ambassadors are not "in charge" of anything, and are not really in a position of power. They are more of a link between the CouchSurfing.com web site, its ideals, and its members.
Your ambassadors in the United States are listed on the United States Ambassadors Wiki page.
Finding Ambassadors
To find ambassadors in a city or region that you live in or are traveling in, you can use the advanced couchsearch form. Simply click the radio button for one of the ambassador levels in the search criteria before you perform your search.
In couchsearch results, or on members' profiles, a member who is an ambassador is indicated by a small yellow flag icon grouped with the other icons above the "General Information" setting.
MDST
MDST is the Member Disputes and Safety Team. This is who you should contact if you have a problem with another member and you are unable to resolve it through direct contact. To contact the MDST, click on the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of your CouchSurfing page, choose "Problem with another member" from the "Communication Type" pull-down list, and enter the details of your problem into the form.
Reasons for contacted MDST include repeated harassing emails from the same member or belief that you have been robbed or physically threatened by another member of CouchSurfing.
If you believe a crime has been committed against you, you should file a police report with the local authorities as well as contacting MDST.
FAQ
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found by clicking on the "Help / FAQ" link at the bottom of your CouchSurfing page.
CUQ
The Contact Us Questions Team is available to help you by clicking the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of your CouchSurfing page. Please check the FAQ for answers to your questions before using the "Contact Us" link, and if you do use that link, read the "Current Known Issues" section above the contact form before you actually send in your question.
CouchSurfing Wiki
Many members don't realize that there is a CouchSurfing Wiki that they can refer to for information as well as edit themselves. The Wiki is full of good information about cities, countries, and CouchSurfing in general -- check it out!
More Information
Getting Verified
Verification is a process that helps enhance the security of CouchSurfing and fund the project at the same time. Basically, by getting verified you provide an address that is verified as authentic by a credit card donation combined with a code that is sent to the address you have provided. After you receive the code, you enter it in on the CouchSurfing web site, and you have been verified as a real person with a real address.
For more information on verification issues, please Check Here.
How Can I Help?
If you decide you like the CouchSurfing concept and organization and would like to help maintain it or improve it, there are a variety of ways you can get involved.
1) Join groups like this Brainstorm group and share your ideas.
2) Make your suggestions using Contact Us.
3) Surf!
4) Host!
5) Attend CouchSurfing events.
6) Organize CouchSurfing events.
7) Edit pages at the CouchSurfing Wiki.
8) Volunteer to use your skill to help CouchSurfing.com.
9) Become verified.
10) Donate money to CouchSurfing.
Resources & References
Following is a list of useful CouchSurfing resources and references.
Links
Contact Us (including the Member Disputes and Safety Team)
Questions Frequently Asked through 'Contact Us'
Bookmark this page so you can easily access these links without hunting for them later on.
Key to CouchSurfing Icons
What are all those icons you see on members' profiles? Here is a handy key to identifying them, organized according to the profile section they are in.
Personal Designations
 Definitely has couch |
 Has couch |
 Maybe has couch |
 No couch |
 Traveling at the moment |
 Meet for Coffee or a Drink |
 Unverified |
 Verified at level 1 |
 Verified at level 2 |
 Verified at level 3 |
 Has been vouched for |
 Extremely trusted by the CouchSurfing leadership |
Community Designations
 This person is a CouchSurfing ambassador |
 Participated in a CouchSurfing Collective |
 Donated to CouchSurfing |
 Traveling Band or Musician |
Friends
 These members have met in person |
 These members have traveled together |
 This person has surfed the couch of the member whose profile you are viewing |
 This person has hosted the member whose profile you are viewing |
