HOST & GUEST ETIQUETTE
- Hosts pray for safe travel, protection and peace for their guests before their arrival. No meals are expected. A clean area for sleeping and towels for bathing are all that are required. Remember that the family may be road weary from traveling and may wish to go directly to sleep. Greet your guests as you would greet members of your own family, remembering we are all one family in Christ. Extenuating circumstances may arise from time to time that make hosting unpractical. We simply ask that you prayerfully consider each request.
- Guests are asked to contact their hosts well in advance of their planned visit. Pray for your hosts before your arrival. Please arrive in the evening and leave the next morning unless other arrangements have been made in advance. Always maintain a Christ-like attitude. Be flexible, abide by the host’s house rules, and be sensitive to the host family’s schedule and routine. Monitor your children at all times, be respectful of one another’s privacy, and leave the area provided for you cleaner than when you arrived—with a short note of thanks.
- You, your spouse and your dependents are eligible to stay in host homes. Extended family members may participate without membership in HOME to HOME, provided you or a member of your immediate family is part of the traveling party.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I Cannot Accommodate Someone's Request To Stay With Me?
Just let the party know as soon as possible so that they have time to make other arrangements.
If you agree to host someone and find, upon their arrival, that they do not meet the requirements you have established for your own home, you are not obligated to receive them into your home. Example: If you specifically state that you cannot accommodate pets, and your party arrives with a dog and their pet bird, simply explain that you cannot allow them to stay under those circumstances. To avoid disappointment, be sure to ask questions regarding anything that is important to your family requirements or standards when you first interview your potential guests.
Are Meals Provided By The Host?
No. While each individual host can, at their own option, graciously offer you meals during your stay, none should be expected.
How Much Advanced Notice Should I Give A Host When I Request To Stay?
A minimum of 24 hours notice is required -- more is preferable. Each host should note their specific minimum requirements or restrictions on their page.
What if I need to stay in a certain area more than one night (say, for an out of town wedding or funeral)?
Host families may be willing and able to accommodate longer stays. Explain your needs to your potential host and they will let you know if they are able to accommodate your request.
What If I Request A Stay And I Am Turned Down?
Host families or individuals have a right to reject any visitors in their home for any reason. HOME to HOME, LLC is merely a facilitator to allow families and individuals to network with other Christians when they travel. The giving and receiving of hospitality is clearly optional on the part of those who participate in this network. HOME to HOME, LLC does not require any member to accept or give hospitality in a situation where they are unable or unwilling to do so. Each member must prayerfully consider each request.
HOME to HOME, LLC members will make every effort to accommodate each request but obviously sometimes it just doesn't work out and we encourage all guests to be understanding of the limitations of such situations.
Can We Just Travel And Not Host Others?
One of the primary reasons for this site is to encourage hospitality. The Scripture is clear that we should open our homes to others, and we should do so with cheerfulness (1 Peter 4:9). All members are strongly encouraged to show hospitality to others by allowing them to stay in your home whenever possible.
Is This A Social Networking Site?
No. However, whenever we obey God (such as following His command to show hospitality without grudging) we will recognize Him at work on our behalf and it is not out of the range of possibility that many vital contacts can be made through hospitable interaction with other believers. The purpose of this site is for networking for travel purposes only. Any other use of this network (contacting members for commercial or other purposes) will be seen as a violation of the terms of agreement and the offending member will irrevocably lose their paid membership with no reimbursement.
How Private Is My Information?
We respect your privacy. Only paid members will be able to see your profile, and your private information such as your address, phone number and email will not be visible to anyone, even other paid members, except the HOME To HOME, LLC administrative staff. Members communicate to each other through HOME To HOME, LLC's private message system that keeps all of your private data private.
Can My Friend Or Relative Use My Membership To Travel?
Memberships in HOME To HOME, LLC are non-transferable and cannot be shared. Friends and relatives may travel together as long as the subscribing member is present during the stay.
Can I Bring My Pet With Me When I Travel?
Each home has its own standards and requirements. Confirm any issues such as these with your potential host.
Is Smoking Allowed In A Host's Home?
Each home has its own standards and requirements. Confirm any issues such as these with your potential host.