What is Couchsurfing?
The idea is simple– you join this organisation in which you offer, and/ or receive, free accommodation for a few nights with people in other parts of the world.

Although very much based on trust and respect, the site is safe, with the ability as a member only to view others’ detailed profiles before you choose whether to host or ask to stay, find out a little about people before you commit, and of course say no if you’d prefer.

If you can’t offer a couch (ie, any kind of a place to sleep) you can offer to meet visitors for a coffee or beer, give them advice on what to see or where to stay or take them to your favourite place.

And then you surf someone else’s couch. It is a simple way to travel, get the flavour of local life and insider knowledge, make friends sometimes, meet people you might otherwise never meet, and save money.

While most couchsurfers are young, it is open to all ages. The average age of members, who post their profiles online for prospective hosts to see, is 27. The United States has the largest number of members, followed by Germany and France.

Couchsurfing is not a ‘right’– you have to persuade your potential host that you are a good and safe person to take in for a night or two. Also, sometimes arrangements do fall through, so you may have to be prepared to look for an emergency couch or a hostel. But mostly, it works exceedingly well.

If someone applies to you for a couch, for safety, you always go through the website, not responding to a random email. You read comments other surfers or hosts have made about them, and what they have said about others. You see what their interests are. And then, on a sound basis, you make your decision to offer accommodation or a cup of tea and a chat, or not. There is no obligation to host anyone or meet any quota of guests.

No money changes hands or should change hands. Although some couchsurfers bring their hosts a small gift, or offer to take them out for a meal or cook them a dinner, or some hosts take their visitors out with them, this really depends on the individuals involved. It is NOT a dating site.

You may host as many or as few people as you like, as often or as seldom as you like, for as many days or nights as you like. If you are a party animal, you will seek out the same. If you like a quiet night in, you look for people who can offer that. Some people want company, others just a place to crash. You the host decide what you want and who you want to host.

How does it work?
First, go to www.couchsurfing,com and become a member. It is free. Create your profile on line and fill it out as much as possible, including photos. You also can join discussion groups in your areas of interests or attend couchsurfing events in your town.

A good surfer does as much as possible to give back to their hosts. This includes doing simple things like, for example, washing the dishes, making dinner or helping out in some way.

I’ve met some amazing people through it, hosting folk of all ages from pretty much all corners of the globe. Although I’ve only ever been hosted once through it– in San Francisco– I’ve still enjoyed being a host many, many times since I joined, and all of my guests have been ok, and some of them have been exceptional people I am delighted to know and would otherwise never have met.

Dublin has 3,608 registered members, with 17 groups. Worldwide, Couchsurfers recruited its millionth member in March. Maybe, just maybe, this is the way of the future.
www.couchsurfing,com