Would you share a room with a stranger?
#31
Join Date: Apr 2004
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I did a lot of backpacking in hostels during the late 80's and 90's as a single woman and thought nothing of it. There was one time when I was on a budget camping safari in Kenya and it had been raining a lot. There were about 12 of us and by the 2nd day we were miserable, even though the camps were pre-set up by staff. We stopped at a safari lodge for a quick look and I asked how much a room was, it was expensive. There were 3 Argentinians on the safari who were also asking so I asked if one of them wanted to share a room. We had been on safari so I knew they were OK, it wasn't like approaching a stranger at an airport though. I would be most worried about my stuff and my "roommate" taking stuff from the mini-bar and me getting charged for it.
#32
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Random stranger at the airport.... Unlikely.
I have shared rooms on adventure tours numerous times. These people are strangers when first met. Even shared a tent with a 'stranger' who was on the same trip when I did my 8 week Africa camping trip.
Hostels are another example, although people's perceptions of hostels that are more than 10 years old should are irrelevant. Hostels nowadays especially in popular areas have private rooms, aircon, wifi, breakfast, and if dorming, safes and security boxes
I have shared rooms on adventure tours numerous times. These people are strangers when first met. Even shared a tent with a 'stranger' who was on the same trip when I did my 8 week Africa camping trip.
Hostels are another example, although people's perceptions of hostels that are more than 10 years old should are irrelevant. Hostels nowadays especially in popular areas have private rooms, aircon, wifi, breakfast, and if dorming, safes and security boxes
#33
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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Abandoned as a kid
When I was 9, I was travelling as an unaccompanied minor on Northwest when the connecting flight was cancelled. Another passenger offered to let me stay with her but, even at that age, was cautious about molestation, though I didn't know that exact word.
I lined up with everyone else and the airline gave me a hotel voucher. I thought it was cool but, in retrospect, they really made an assumption that I could take care of myself. At 9 years old, I was clearly short and did not look like a 16 year old.
I wasn't that smart as they gave me 2 meal vouchers and I didn't know how to use it so I survived on water and found out how to use it the next day for breakfast.
I lined up with everyone else and the airline gave me a hotel voucher. I thought it was cool but, in retrospect, they really made an assumption that I could take care of myself. At 9 years old, I was clearly short and did not look like a 16 year old.
I wasn't that smart as they gave me 2 meal vouchers and I didn't know how to use it so I survived on water and found out how to use it the next day for breakfast.
#34
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
For several years I was an active member of couchsurfing. I stayed with strangers all over the world, and had strangers come over to my place. These were hands down some of the best traveling experiences I have ever had.
Many of the conferences I regularly attend will match you up with roommates (or provide a forum to find your own). I actually like this better than staying with a colleague I know, because people you don't know well are more likely to be respectful of your possessions and lifestyle, and besides, the whole point of a conference is to meet new people.
Many of the conferences I regularly attend will match you up with roommates (or provide a forum to find your own). I actually like this better than staying with a colleague I know, because people you don't know well are more likely to be respectful of your possessions and lifestyle, and besides, the whole point of a conference is to meet new people.
#35
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Excluding hostels and friends, I'd generally have to say no but there are a few exceptions.
If it was someone I had gotten to know over a few hours or so and my gut feeling was that things would be ok then maybe. I've learnt to trust my gut and I think I'd be more worried about getting ripped of, shot, or whatever while I was asleep than any sort of violence or other issue while I was awake.
Also, lets be honest, isn't that exactly what most single males (and more than the occasional female) are trying to do when they're still in the bar/nightclub/whatever at 0200?
If it was someone I had gotten to know over a few hours or so and my gut feeling was that things would be ok then maybe. I've learnt to trust my gut and I think I'd be more worried about getting ripped of, shot, or whatever while I was asleep than any sort of violence or other issue while I was awake.
Also, lets be honest, isn't that exactly what most single males (and more than the occasional female) are trying to do when they're still in the bar/nightclub/whatever at 0200?
Could it be that we hear too many crime stories on the news?
#36
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: MEL, PER, PBO, occasionally ships, oil rigs and other places that no sane human being should ever find themselves
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Or is it that as a "human animal" we are more willing to take greater risks to satisfy our sexual urges/procreate than we are to get "routine" (IE nightly) sleep?
#37
Join Date: Mar 2011
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I know very few cruises that offer single cabins. There was one I found but they were offering them as small interior staterooms without balcony and I wasn't interested in the itinerary.
Last edited by MVF Trekker; Jul 29, 2012 at 8:32 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
I would not generally share a room with a stranger, certainly not by choice - but if, say during a flight delay, it was a choice of that or nothing, I might agree to do it. But I would be concerned for security, both of myself and of my possessions.
Of course, in youth hostels and the like one shared rooms without really thinking much about it. And also, as people have pointed out, one's critical faculties are less engaged during a one-night stand, although for preference it'd be in her place/her room so one can leave when one chooses to.
Of course, in youth hostels and the like one shared rooms without really thinking much about it. And also, as people have pointed out, one's critical faculties are less engaged during a one-night stand, although for preference it'd be in her place/her room so one can leave when one chooses to.
#39
Join Date: Dec 2009
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For guys I'm sure they will be equally okay with bunking with a cute traveler girl too.
#40
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
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#41
As the hostels point was already mentioned, ...don't need to do that again.
Weather delays in Bali and Lanzhou (China) caused me to share a room with a stranger. They both let me open the windows, and also didn't smoke, so that was a bit of a win-win.
Does sharing a bed with your ex-girlfriend count?
Weather delays in Bali and Lanzhou (China) caused me to share a room with a stranger. They both let me open the windows, and also didn't smoke, so that was a bit of a win-win.
Does sharing a bed with your ex-girlfriend count?
#42
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 241
I have many times at hostels for backpacking through Europe like most of the people in this thread. But then again I packed differently knowing that I would be staying with others and not to bring anything I wouldn't miss.
#43
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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Sharing a room with a stranger or an estranged person is, well, strange.
It is giving up one's privacy and sharing very personal space--not just the room one sleeps in, but also the bathroom, not simultaneously though.
#44
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
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If I want to sit around in my skivvies, watch Jerry Springer while drinking cheap beer and eating Domino's pizza at 2 a.m. I want to be able to do so.
Granted I don't watch Springer, drink cheap beer or eat Domino's. But if the fancy strikes me.....