3 ms·
A friend introduced my to CouchSurfing in ~2009. The idea that a stranger would effectively be a free Airbnb host (back when Airbnb actually had hosts) was baf
by bsimpson 5mo ago
A friend introduced my to CouchSurfing in ~2009.
The idea that a stranger would effectively be a free Airbnb host (back when Airbnb actually had hosts) was baffling. Turns out:
1. Travel is expensive in time and money. Hosting someone gives you a travel-adjacent experience without having to leave home.
2. People who are willing to host strangers tend to be cool/open/interesting/friendly people. Opting-in to CouchSurfing is a good filter for someone you might enjoy spending time with.
Burning Man is similar.
One of the mainstays of Burning Man is the Hug Deli. It's like a lemonade stand, but instead of sugary beverages, they serve affection. You can order hugs ranging from warm + fuzzy to long + uncomfortable, each for 2 compliments to your server. Want an extra pep in your step? Add a kiss or a spanking for an additional compliment.
The staff at the Hug Deli are all volunteers. You just roll up, toss on an apron, and start serving. (The guy who started it isn't particularly affectionate. He's a performer from LA who wanted a way to get strangers to try on characters.)
You would never stand in Golden Gate Park offering kisses to anyone who asked. Burning Man is a container that allows experiences like that to flourish, because opting-in to Burning Man is a good filter for the kind of people you might be willing to try stuff with.
- charcircuit 5mo ago[flagged]
- bsimpson 5mo agoThat might be the worst take I've ever read on this website. It's just free hugs, but more theatrical.
- charcircuit 5mo agoYour post literally suggests that a customer spontaneously should kiss the employee. That kind of behavior is goes far beyond an innocent facade of "free hugs."
- helloplanets 5mo agoDoesn't the post read that it's the server who would give you the kiss, if you compliment them three times? Also, volunteer is not the same as employee. Especially important in this context.
- charcircuit 5mo agoI read it as if you pay 2 compliments and then proceed to kiss / spank the employee you would also get a compliment in addition to whatever you ordered. And that compliment would give you an extra pep in your step.
- helloplanets 5mo ago> order hugs ranging from warm + fuzzy to long + uncomfortable, each for 2 compliments to your server Any one of these is either: 2 compliments from customer. So, it would be assumed that compliments are going from the customer, to the server, for the extras as well. Instead of the whole dynamic switching around halfway through. > Add a kiss or a spanking for an additional compliment Customer can add a kiss or spanking to their order, if they give an additional compliment to the server. And the server then decides if they actually want to do it.
- donkers 5mo agoConsent is involved, everyone is a volunteer and willing participant. If you don’t want a hug or kiss or whatever you don’t get one. I fail to understand how this makes it anything but “free hugs”
- bsimpson 5mo agoSomething's either literally stated or suggested. It can't be both, but it can be neither.
- xmcp123 5mo ago...you ask. Just like you would for the spanking.
- 5mo ago
- BurningFrog 5mo agoOne of my sluttier female friends made a habit of seducing her male CouchSurfing hosts. As she tells it, a lot of people had a great time!