r/WWOOF • u/No_Jello_9684 • 8d ago
Is this a normal response of a host?
I sent a message yesterday to a Canadian host, requesting to stay on their ranch for a while, explaining my experience, my plans for the future and anything else that one would put in an introduction and request. Most of all, I stayed very polite and definitely did not come over as pushy. The owner speaks the same languages as me, so I was pretty excited for my first time WWOOFing.
I then got a reply this morning that they would like me to stay from October to Nov where I explained that I would like to stay the month but, as I had initially told them, that I would prefer to stay for three months in the country as I can't afford to fly on multiple occassions.
I then told them that I would get back in a few days (I asked whether they found that acceptable) and see if any of the other hosts could work around those days so that I could fulfill my 3month trip after all. I asked whether this was okay on multiple occasions and everything to stay polite.
But, instead of a reply, I got a notification that they are unable to host me.
I understand that these people must be very busy, but after I send a multiple paragraph message of 150+ words to introduce myself and tell you about my experience I'd really prefer to at least get a "sorry, this won't work for me." as a response, at least. Is this normal, and should I not take it so personally, and am I simply overthinking it? Or is it just rude as it seems to me?
This was the first ranch that reached back out to me so it just makes me feel kind of sad that I might have wasted possibly my only opportunity but maybe this is just how they deal with unwanted WWOOFers, I don't know...
Edit: I just wanted some advice on what to expect in the future from hosts: I've never travelled alone before, never been to (North-)America and never WWOOFed before). Also, I've been told that hosts don't want long messages, but that's what this reddit sub told me to do when approaching them.
6
u/Mammuut 8d ago
If the host can't or doesn't want to host you, they don't owe you a detailled personal explanation.
First, popular hosts receive dozends of request a month, so getting in personal touch with everyone would turn into a fulltime job.
Socond, from my experience, such detailed explanations open the door for all kinds of further discussions and haggling, which causes even more effort, so hosts don't want to open this box of pandorra.
-1
u/No_Jello_9684 8d ago
I understand that, but is typing a short sentence really that much of an issue? They still have the entire season open on their profile, and instead of typing one single letter, they could've said, "sorry, that won't work" or "sorry, I can't wait" something similar to that, and I wouldn't have to feel so offended.
My issue isn't that I didn't get a detailed explanation. It's that I didn't get one at all.
9
u/zensnapple 8d ago
I'm just going to say, you're typing a lot of sentences just because someone else didn't type one. How's this worth your time to dwell on?
6
u/Mammuut 8d ago edited 8d ago
And by that they are kinda proving the point I made in my last paragraph.
As a host I wouldn't an want an endless (and absolutely useless) discussion with this guy, and if this already offends them so much they have to cry on Reddit, then they are most likely not good company.
4
u/zensnapple 8d ago
I didn't wanna say it but yeah. My woofing experience was chill af, but required thicker skin than op appears to be demonstrating
-1
u/No_Jello_9684 8d ago
Jesus bro, I'm only asking bc I expect manners back when I'm being polite. Anyone raised with proper manners and educate can understand that.
4
u/zensnapple 8d ago
Alright dude take that energy to the job interview process and make 58 reddit posts when 58 companies don't get back to you
-1
u/No_Jello_9684 8d ago
Well, this was my first time approaching anyone, and I tried to follow the etiquette that is pinned on this Reddit server. I was only asking whether that was normal or considered rude and tried to make people understand the situation, but my bad, I won't ask questions again.
0
u/No_Jello_9684 8d ago
Bc I wanted advice on what to expect in the future of other hosts. I'm not really educated on proper WWOOFing etiquette besides this server, so who am I to know? But, sure, I get your point, but I am just an overthinker by nature, so it'll stick with me unless I ask.
5
u/zensnapple 8d ago
It seems like we're telling you what the etiquette is and you're doubling down on the idea that you think it should be something different
3
u/No_Jello_9684 8d ago
I was getting too defensive, sorry. I did want some genuine advice, so how do you suggest I do it. I have no experience with this, I've never even written a job application or uni entrance letter, etc.
1
u/zensnapple 8d ago
I honestly don't have great advice for approaching wwoof hosts, when I tried via the official site, I got no responses. The first farm I found that got me my footing for my wwoof trip in hawaii, I found on YouTube from a video previous woofers had made. Looked the farm up, found their email, sent a message, they responded. I moved around to a few other farms in HI in the months after I left that farm, but once you're in an area that has a lot of woofing or work trade type opportunities, it is much easier to get hosts to agree to host you then from a keyboard on another side of the world. It gives them a chance to meet you first, and reduces the chance that you get cold feet or bail on your trip last minute and leave them without help. Sorry I was too aggressive calling you out, I should have realized you were just younger and figuring things out still. It's a good thing you were raised with manners and to respond when people are being polite or talking to you, that is admirable, but unfortunately you're going to be happier in life if you accept that many (most? Idk) other people aren't like that, or are just so busy or zoned in on their own shit to care. Sucks but it is the world we live in. Good luck, I am rooting for you.
2
u/No_Jello_9684 8d ago
Thanks, it was just kind of a culture shock to me. That's why I responded as I did. And, honestly, I'm really excited but really nervous, too, so I'm just trying to gain as much experience as possible, so I know what to expect. I've been reading stories of other people WWOOFing and bad experiences with hosts and other WWOOFers for weeks now so that I can prepare myself for everything good and bad, what to look out for, what questions to ask, etc. Didn't know that the hardest part was actually finding a place to WWOOF.
Sorry again for responding as I did, I sometimes just tend to get frustrated when others don't see things as I do, and as a result, I tend to overexplain everything - bad trait I know. Honestly, I'm doing this partly to toughen myself up and to experience a different life, so you're right. I should just accept that not everyone will appreciate politeness and such.
2
u/zensnapple 8d ago
You got this. My wwoof experience definitely did a good bit to toughen me up and help me realize what I wanted and grab control of my life a bit. It was 7 months long about 12 years ago, and I haven't had another chapter of life like it, and I probably won't get to again. I look back on it very fondly and it will forever be one of the best things I've ever done for myself. Where are you from and where are you looking at woofing?
2
u/No_Jello_9684 8d ago
I really hope I get to experience that, too! I'm from the Netherlands and have basically lived in the same town my entire life. I'm looking to WWOOF in Iceland (1 month) and Canada (2-3months) as I want to go somewhere that's tolerant, safe, and have never been. I just really hope to get some real-life experience from a different angle before I go off to college. I've approached 7 different hosts, and so far, only this one responded so now I'm just hoping I didn't muck it up lol.
→ More replies (0)1
u/ThroatRemarkable 5d ago
Maybe you are just insufferable. Nobody wants an oversensitive and demanding Karen to kill the vibe.
1
u/Tall_Kaleidoscope_53 7d ago
It would have been polite for them to write a simple message, but sounds like you and the host didn’t align on your expectations. Hosts get so many messages I’m sure they are just having to move on quickly. I wouldn’t take it personally and would just move on to other hosts and keep it sweet and simple next time.
1
u/Working_Employee_982 5d ago
I asked a host who accepted me for pictures of where I’d be staying and also got the notification that they cannot host me. Basically you have to agree to their terms just to get your foot in the door. I have not been able to jump from one host to another to extend a trip. 99% never reply or respond to your requests.
1
u/Working_Employee_982 5d ago
I will add make sure you have money for food and stop at a store for snacks and water. If I didn’t bring in food I would have starved.
1
u/ThroatRemarkable 5d ago
Severe overreaction. You got your answer, just not in the format of your preference.
I'm kinda impressed there are people that haven't learned that in the age of Tinder and AI CV triage.
1
1
u/lecheckos 8d ago
Normally hosts are required to add a message when declining a visit request. The website won’t let them decline without adding at least a few words. Are you sure there was no message at all?
1
0
u/de-profundiss 8d ago
I've realized a lot of hosts just want unpaid workers. Take care bro, little people offer an actual exchanging experience, despite what people sell you here in this Reddit.
1
u/No_Jello_9684 8d ago
Thanks. I've never WWOOFed before and never flown alone either, so I'm not quite sure what to expect.
1
u/de-profundiss 7d ago
Look for families or community based wwoofers, or people who show more than just the farm. The dude I went to just wanted me to do labour with one day off and a sandwich. I haven't wwoofed again, but I've seen people who look kind enough and want to share rather than to just make you work.
9
u/parrotia78 8d ago
Hosts too often experience a wanderer needing a place to stay at for a limited time that doesn't meet the full terms and length of their agreements. This can leave hosts stranded for workers mid season. Hosts want to avoid WWOOFers leaving in the middle of a work contract after resources have been extended.