Re: Guest Etiquette Question
From: tamgoddess (tamgoddesscomcast.net)
Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 16:31:01 -0700 (PDT)
Oh, dear. A conundrum for sure. I've never received any compensation for giving 
tours, as I consider it a part of my duties to my community and my larger 
community of cohousers around the world. Once in awhile someone offers, and now 
I feel that I've been remiss in not accepting for my community's coffers! I may 
have to accept in the future. 

We've hosted lots of people over the years, though we don't have a 
purpose-built guest room, and no set fees. We have had larger groups who slept 
in sleeping bags, etc., and I think small voluntary donations have been 
gratefully recieved, but were not expected.

I would in no way be offended if someone offered nothing to stay in my house, 
though I haven't hosted many people over the years-mostly relatives of other 
cohousers in my community.

I have gotten some gifts over the years, and those were really wonderful. I 
like when someone has taken the time to do that. A Japanese magazine writer 
gave me a bottle of sake, that was the best one.

The only thing that has ever come close to offending me as a tour guide is 
someone not showing up when they say they are going to, or showing up without 
notice.

Liz
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: <seniorcohousing [at] cox.net>
> 
> ---- Cher Stuewe-Portnoff <cherworks01 [at] yahoo.com> wrote: 
> 
> > There's probably not one right answer, but we could sure use a sense of what
> > is generally considered good manners before we travel any farther :-).
> > Thanks!
> > 
> > Cher & Greg 
> 
> My personal opinion, as a fellow guest: make a donation to the general 
> cohousing 
> community fund equal to about what it would cost to stay at a nice B&B in the 
> neighborhood.
> 
> I've only stayed at two communities, both times in guest quarters.  No one 
> has 
> ever complained about my donation, and both times, I got a thanks from the 
> financial committee.
> 
> I also feel it's appropriate to make a donation if you've had a tour.  After 
> all, someone has spent at least an hour, sometimes much more, to take you 
> around.  My time is worth a lot.  I assume my tour director's time is worth a 
> lot, too.
> 
> And, ahem, there is a side benefit.  Folks get to know your name if it's on a 
> check.  It's just human nature.  I've never run across a cohousing community 
> that couldn't use a little cash.  If you have it, share it.
> 
> If you don't, though, you might want to offer some other thing of value--work 
> time, for example.  If you're an expert in something, offer a specific number 
> of 
> hours of consultation in return for your visit.  It may be that no one will 
> take 
> you up on it right away.  In fact, it may be years.  But surely part of the 
> cohousing movement is giving what you can when you can?
> 
> Nina, Ocean State Cohousing, RI
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