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Or just don't use Airbnb? I'd rather not turn myself into a circus clown just to be able to use a service. Especially one that I pay for. I stopped using Airbn

Or just don't use Airbnb? I'd rather not turn myself into a circus clown just to be able to use a service. Especially one that I pay for. I stopped using Airbnb wholesale after experiencing very similar things to what the OP has described in this article. Plus, hotels are just better.

eevilspock 10y ago
It's not Airbnb. It's the users. Though they can directly address this by taking photos out of the mix. Interesting question: Right or wrong to make decisions about trusting strangers based on how they look? I know my answer, what's HNs?
- taphangum 10y ago
  Yes, I know. We live in the real world. My issue isn't people making judgements, etc. It's that I choose not to willingly expose myself to (and support) a system that enables those judgements to negatively affect me. Instead, I choose to spend my money with a system (a hotel) which does not allow the prejudices of individuals to get in my way. Airbnb has chosen it's system (and refuses to address the flaws inherent in that system), so I've chosen not to use it.
- untog 10y ago
  Not sure about right or wrong but the potential for abuse is too high, IMO. There was a history of cab drivers in NYC refusing to pick up black customers - when Uber came to town one of the first questions was "can drivers see my photo", which they can't until they accept the ride IIRC. I don't see this situation as being too different.
- akira2501 10y ago
  > Though they can directly address this by taking photos out of the mix. You could, with mixed results, I'm sure. There are many other factors to base a prejudice on; for example "does their name /sound/ black?" Airbnb could also establish an anti-discrimination policy, which if you are caught in these types of incidents, you and your properties will be banned for some amount of time. I've never used the service, so I can't say for sure, but I can think of at least a few good ways to accomplish this along with a team responsible for checking into flagged events and user reports.

eevilspock 10y ago

It's not Airbnb. It's the users. Though they can directly address this by taking photos out of the mix. Interesting question: Right or wrong to make decisions about trusting strangers based on how they look? I know my answer, what's HNs?

taphangum 10y ago
Yes, I know. We live in the real world. My issue isn't people making judgements, etc. It's that I choose not to willingly expose myself to (and support) a system that enables those judgements to negatively affect me. Instead, I choose to spend my money with a system (a hotel) which does not allow the prejudices of individuals to get in my way. Airbnb has chosen it's system (and refuses to address the flaws inherent in that system), so I've chosen not to use it.
untog 10y ago
Not sure about right or wrong but the potential for abuse is too high, IMO. There was a history of cab drivers in NYC refusing to pick up black customers - when Uber came to town one of the first questions was "can drivers see my photo", which they can't until they accept the ride IIRC. I don't see this situation as being too different.
akira2501 10y ago
> Though they can directly address this by taking photos out of the mix. You could, with mixed results, I'm sure. There are many other factors to base a prejudice on; for example "does their name /sound/ black?" Airbnb could also establish an anti-discrimination policy, which if you are caught in these types of incidents, you and your properties will be banned for some amount of time. I've never used the service, so I can't say for sure, but I can think of at least a few good ways to accomplish this along with a team responsible for checking into flagged events and user reports.