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Trust your intuition when networking online
Around Easter I joined couchsurfing.com,
a volunteer-based worldwide network connecting travellers with members
of local communities, offering free accommodation and/or advice. I was on a mission to travel as many times as possible with my very
limited funds. Also I had read reviews about many good couchsurfing experiences.
Despite stating on my page that I'd only accept requests from women, I received many requests for accommodation from men. One was from a very persistent business man from Finland, who bombarded me with couch mail despite my very clear - thanks but no thanks. In the end I had to block him.
Last April, I decided to use couchsurfing.com whilst planning a trip to Venice. I couldn't find any women, living in the centre of Venice, for the time I'd be there, so I put on my 'broad-minded' cap, and contacted a man. Big mistake!
After an initial agreement, we instant messaged via Skype. His initial questions were harmless - "when will you be coming, had I been to Venice / Italy before, what do you want to se ..." etc. Then having warmed me up, he asked whether I would be travelling with my boyfriend? I said No. Then, he asked if I was married or have a boyfriend? Though these questions made me nervous, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Mistake again!
"No I replied". "Good" he responded with a smiley face wink, "what do you think of my photo, I think yours is very nice? I am sure we will get on well". What the ...? I immediately threw off my broad-minded cap, terminated the Skype chat and blocked him from both Skype and couchsurfing. Urrh!
I was lucky, I trusted my intuition. However, another woman traveller wasn't so fortunate, she was brutally raped. Her attacker got ten years in jail. Now I am not saying you should avoid sites like couchsurfing or facebook for that matter. And, I know you have read this all before, but I am pleading with you, especially women travellers, to be cautious about the amount of personal you share (on and offline), and always trust your instincts - if it feels wrong it probably is, particularly when travelling.
Although Couchsurfing was not for me, it has worked well for many. So share your own experiences, good and bad here or on the Diverse Traveller facebook page.
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