"A Social Networking Site That Crashes Often. On your Coach."
 

I just read a very interesting article in the NY Times about a social networking site with a very strange, unique niche.

Their mission statement: "Participate in creating a better world, one couch at a time."

The idea: Members agree to allow other member's to surf their couches, that is, offer their couches for free and show the member a night in the town. The idea is to promote hospitality, companionship, and knowledge in foreign areas.

The site is actually doing well (obviously if it is appearing in the Times.)

Would you ever do something like this? The thought of crashing in a strangers house and sleeping on the couch is a little weird...but is a cheap way to experiment in other cultures! The articles speaks of someone who took a full tour of Europe via this social networking site!

Here is a link to the entire article if anyone is interested:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/09/20...rEGXRek64iY5IQ

I don't think I'd sleep well with a stranger on my couch.

Mmm.. No. Too many psychopaths in the world for that.

Depends if they were female, attrative and up for a good time ;)

I enjoy my privacy

I have had a few site get togethers at my house, it was really fun.

I have actually met most of the admin on my site right now, except the international ones.

Couch surfing is not that unusual, really. Usually it's a subjunctive community though... you're in some group, and you're going to some specific area, and you say "hey anyone here willing to put me up for X nights when I go to Anytown this Monthtember?" and someone who "knows" you from the group says "yeah, you've been here long enough that I'm convinced you aren't creepy".

It seems an interesting idea. I like the sentiment; most people are honest and decent, so problems shouldn't be all that common.

We've had meet and greets for my forum...but we stayed at a hotel. lol
But after 5/6 years..I trust a lot of my members. I dated one. *eek*

I've slept on more couches than I care to count. As long as the host isn't the crazy type and keeps a lot of food around you'll have a great time.

Just make sure the place is smoker friendly before you stay...well that might not be much of a problem for you. :p

In your case i wouldn't worry if the host is the crazy type. :D

uh nope, not I.

I think the cultural aspect of it would be neat. Also it is better than paying for a hotel room!

What are you trying to say? ;) Sure I'm known to go crazy about 3 - 4 times a year...but when I'm sober I consider myself sane! :D

I've never stayed at a strangers house though... Most of the time it's a friend of a friend or someone I've known via forums for a few years (if I happen to be going their way).

The best people to stay with are fat girls because they are usually a mean cook and know how to feed a man right. :D Short of that...anyone that offers free liquor or smoke and won't attempt to slice you up while you sleep. ;)

Eh just don't be so paranoid about it and you'll probably be fine.

Yes not having to pay for a hotel and a few free meals is always a good thing. I always take my host out for supper and a drinking night in return for letting me stay. Make sure you do something like that so you'll be invited back if you ever need to crash there again.

Brad, I'm going to crash your sofa one of these days. I want to see how people down south party. :D

Brad, i'll offer you free smokes (even the ones you like ;))