Independent Women

The CouchSurfing Wiki, an informal workspace which anyone can edit.

The Independent Women Group was first created to gather women that travel alone to share ideas and tips. Over time it has developed into a massive movement of women that discuss both serious and trivial things that touch the lives of women around the globe.

One of the special things about the group is the strong feeling of respect and integrity amongst the members. All issues are discussed with an attitude of openness and politeness that creates a great environment to develop good ideas. Every opinion matters and is treated with respect. All topics are discussed in a civilised manner, whether the members agree, disagree, or agree to disagree.

Contents 1 Codes and Guidelines Around the World 2 Tips and Advices for hosting and travelling for solo women 3 Independent Women Meeting 4 Past Threads 4.1 General Advice 4.2 Places 4.3 Situations 4.4 References 4.5 Food 4.6 Hosting & Surfing 4.7 Cultural 4.8 Holidays 4.9 Health 4.10 Beauty 4.11 Emotions 4.12 Women's Issues and Dilemmas 4.13 Communication 4.14 Humor and Entertainment 4.15 Religion 4.16 Use of CS & Dating 5 Proposal from Independent Women 6 Related Groups 6.1 General 6.2 Ethnicity 6.3 Age 6.4 Places 6.5 Means of Traveling 6.6 Sexuality 6.7 Interests 6.8 Politics

Codes and Guidelines Around the World

What to Expect

"Since this lovely group has representatives from so many different cultures and nations, it would be great if, as women from those places, we can tell our friends here exactly what its like to be a woman where you come from." Sheila

Tips and Advices for hosting and travelling for solo women

All the tips, advises about how to host and how to travel as a solo woman are here on this page !

Independent Women Meeting

Every year held at different locations across the globe, Independent Women meet for a weekend full of activities. This is a great opportunity to network, share ideas and get to know each other.

Past Threads

With this wonderful group of Women, the discussions pile up quick. Coloured with multicultural backgrounds and experiences, and enriched with valuable information as well as advice, some past discussions get lost, hidden somewhere and not accessible to those of us who are not as technically minded as others. For this, here are links to past threads/discussions, so that we can always access all the information we have already discussed, even if the threads no longer appear at the very top of the thread list.

General Advice

Packing Light

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=553797

Budget Issues/ Money Issues

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=374435

Useful Gifts to Bring Hosts

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=258437

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=429&post=380488

Cell Phones

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1162578

Day packs & passport wallets

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3315433

Places

Egypt, Turkey, Greece

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=617209

Solo travel in Nepal & India

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=733528

India, Myanmar, Cambodia

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1926340

Traveling in the Middle East

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=69542

Jordan

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=4099100

Israel

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=849640

Honduras

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=736969

Morocco

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=2160023

Bangkok, Thailand and Siem Reap, Cambodia

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=580308

France

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=383714

New Zealand

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=375844

Australia and New Zealand

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=11211

Spiritual Journey

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=713544

Your Dream

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=958688

Situations

Help a Novice - Solo Traveling Practicalities

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=145885#gpid145885

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=691729

Building a Career

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=945983

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1208366

Finding a Balance

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=2169019

Women Camping Alone

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=762&post=302891

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=762462

Hitch-Hiking Alone as a Woman

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=364514

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=364514

Arriving Late

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1028987

Mixed Dorms

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=386868#gpid386868

Dining Alone

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=940555

Traveling with a night train

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3182983

References

Opinions on References

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=479903#gpid479903

Writing a (Negative) Reference

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=2284831

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=369556

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=449236

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=519699

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=556116

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=480591

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=952414

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=4270303

Friendship on CS

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=221196#gpid221196

How to Leave a Reference on a Hidden Profile

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=851525

Food

What's the cheapest meal in your town?

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=702984

Food Sensitivities & Taboos

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=365036

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=470643

We Are What We Eat?/ Weight

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=470643

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=458161

International Spices & Flavors

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3062007

Hosting & Surfing

Questions & Advice About Hosting

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=2314035

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=426262

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=402373

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=469665

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=809931

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=134078#gpid134078

Inviting Yourself

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=2110581

Hosting in a small space

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3827923

What guests expect from Hosts

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3891040

Sharing expenses with guests

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3844624

Men who only host girls

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3169829

Surfing etiquette with hosts who have children

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3722209

Surfing with males & females

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3619537

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3265024

Cultural

Dilemmas

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=2300205

Pre-trip Cultural Tips

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=920187

V-Day

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=717365

Peer pressure to get married

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=735314

Weddings: traditions, presents, customs

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1045033

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=910981

Legal Age

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=853987

Powerful women - fiction and non-fiction

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=536497#gpid536497

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=567181#gpid567181

Male Characters

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=583023

Belonging

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=191955#gpid191955

What does it mean to be independent?

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=270518

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1529948

Who should pay for dinner & drinks when dating

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3093275

Personal Boundaries

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3135929

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3707191

Change or name after marriage/divorce

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3902418

Topless Sunbathing

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3453599

Cultural Understanding

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3874190

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3616385

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3750775

CouchSurfing in the East: A man's perspective

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3871830

A misogynous society

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3593801

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3355681

Gender norms

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3369246

Holidays

Halloween

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=401748#gpid401748

Diwali

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=484824

Health

Tips & Advice for Traveling with Asthma

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=438049

HIV & Safe Sex

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3243853

Ritalin

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3256274

Healthcare Systems

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3820129

Beauty

Hair Issues

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=576938

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=2237078

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=178497

Appearance

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1700905

Dove Ads/Commercialism

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=567629#gpid567629

Cosmetics

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=4116044

Emotions

While traveling

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=457777#gpid457777

Dealing with loneliness

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=624933#gpid624933

Post-trip Blues: before & after

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=491286

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=565896

Women's Issues and Dilemmas

Domestic Violence

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=397095

When to Get Involved

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=376948

Female Ambassadors

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=308139

Handling Negative experiences when not present to the events

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=499096

Sexual Harassment

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=505898

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1043956

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3683296

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3480025

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3443230

Women-Only: buses, schools, etc

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=692558

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=770613

Discussion of Female Circumcision

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=255781#gpid255781

Teaching Boys and Girls Separately

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=770613

Marriage, babies et al

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3094042

Dressing Codes

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3659967

Mandatory draft for girls

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3559424

Opposite gender friends

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3232966

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3232900

Communication

Using our words

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=2324026

Addressing in Threads

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=741383

The Other Side

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=386868#gpid386868

Assertiveness

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=413305

Swearing, Gender & Culture

http://64.22.118.170/group_read.html?gid=892&post=750202

Non Native English Speakers

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=924278

Dealing with Unwanted Messages (SPAM)

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=246411#gpid246411

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=877389

The Image We Present...

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=901953

Flirting

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=970283

Disrespect & Disharmony

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3846343

Humor and Entertainment

I Can't Stand...

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=215509#gpid215509

Marriage Demand

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=254849#gpid254849

Wind

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1064085

Movie Heroines

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1283529

A "what if" Game

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=1700905

Breakfast Love Song

http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=892&post=2113630

And that's how the fight started...

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3781737

Religion

Religion, the root of all evil?

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3308134

Use of CS & Dating

Relationships though CS

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3054345

The proper use for CS

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3150734

Bad experience on CS

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=2852918

"Hosting Women Only

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=892&post=3169829

Proposal from Independent Women

With the recent issues on safety, security, there have been some wonderful suggestions and ideas flowing from the IW group. This proposal is an opportunity for us to constructively submit our recommendations to the leadership team. Lets get started.

Related Groups

• Independent Women Private
• Independent Women Meeting

General

• Women

Ethnicity

• African Women
• Black Women Travelers
• Taiwanese Girls in Europe
• Accueil et Voyage au Féminin - Independant Women in french

Age

• Older Women Traveling
• Red Hat Society

Places

• Girls Living or Going to Morocco
• Munich Women
• Solo in Africa
• Women in Turkey
• Women Travelers in Iran
• Women Travelers in India
• Accueil et Voyage au Féminin - Independant Women in french

Means of Traveling

• Hitchhiking Women
• Road Trip Divas
• Women Traveling Alone

Sexuality

• Lesbian Couchsurfers
• Queer Women

Interests

• Female Amateur Boxing
• Paddling Women
• Women Artists
• Women's Meditation Group

Politics

• Feminism
• Radical Feminists