What Kind of a Hosteller Are You?
From the staunch traditionalist packing little more than a change of underwear and a few ZigZag papers to the tricked-out 'flashpacker' (an obnoxious buzz word in the industry) carting a laptop, iPod and wheely luggage - as a hostel manager I see these people, and all types in between, every day. Each faces challenges adapting his or her travelling style to hostel life.
1. What I look for in a hostel bathroom is
a) a tree to hide behind, a small shovel and some good-sized leaves.
b) a cold toilet bowl to drunkenly press my head against at the end of the night.
c) state-of-the-art lighting, as well as outlets for my razor and flat iron.
2. After settling into my dorm bed, the last thought I have before I fall asleep is
a) I hope no one steals my walking stick
b) Where am I?
c) Why did I buy full snowboarding gear when I'm not going anywhere near a mountain?
3. In order to get to know other travellers, I
a) get a didge and drum circle going on the lawn.
b) start a game of strip poker.
c) tell them I'll Skype them sometime.
4. A hostel kitchen should
a) supply free ramen.
b) have a shooter girl.
c) be near a good sushi place.
5. For an evening's entertainment, I
a) play some hacky sack, then chill.
b) make a beer bong out of a soap dispenser.
c) webcam myself Facebooking my friends, then upload it to YouTube.
6. My favourite staff member at the hostel is
a) the desk girl with local connections.
b) the housekeeper who emptied the garbage can next to my bed.
c) whoever can fix the problem with the wireless.
If you mostly answered 'a,' you're definitely old school. My words of wisdom to you: patchouli is not a substitute for deodorant.
If you mostly answered 'c,' you're a fancy-pants hosteller. My words of wisdom to you: a laptop won't make out with you at the end of the night.
If you mostly answered 'b,' you're, well, me. My words of wisdom to me: nothing good happens after 2 AM.
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Comments
by Lee - 2009-01-12 20:41
Haha, funny as! A fun quiz that is obviously not serious and is there for mostly comedic value with a slight bit of info thrown in. Genia and Steve obviously had their sense of humour stolen at one of the hostels they've stayed at. And as for marketing, who wants to rock into a new place and find a family in the common room looking to go to bed at 8pm? I'll sure they'll be fun to socialize with..... Keep it up guys, i'm joining HI now!
by Leonard Ryan - 2008-12-26 16:41
Very Funny; enjoyed it; thanks. Okay, just for the heck of it, here are some serious answers. 1. A tub to soak in rather than just a shower 2. Thank you 3. Ask a question, if I've got one, otherwise I rarely bother 4. Be there, be OK 5. Check email, eat, sleep. If Ive been adventuring as usual I'm too tired for much else. 6. The pleasantest one.
by Ryerson - 2008-12-12 11:10
Why isn't there an option D? 1. d) somewhere I can read the morning paper and has a shelf to hold my coffee cup 2. d) Maybe that street taco wasn't such a good idea 3. d) Sit in the common room with a case of the cheapest canadian beer I can buy and talk about hockey. 4. d) have nothing more then a microwave... 5. d) creep on the front desk worker and do whatever she is doing...unless she is going to west edmonton mall. 6. d) The one that most resembles my mother.
by Steve - 2009-01-03 15:44
I have to agree with Genia's comments. Hostelling caters to numerous demographics and ages. "Marketing" hostels as places to go to get hammered, be noisy and obnoxious are not going to attract families or people who want a safe, clean, relaxing and affordable place to stay. One of the reasons I didn't renew my HI membership for many years was due to the seemingly increasing number of people who would have all picked B in the survey...
by Genia - 2008-12-26 16:23
Having stayed in dozens of hostels in numerous countries I found most of these options irrelevant at best and many are obnoxious. I've found most travellers are looking for a clean, safe bed, a working toilet and a hot (or at least warm) shower. The kitchen should have at least a fridge, kettle and microwave,plus a large dining table to encourage people to eat together and get to know each other. Communal meals are the most fun. A library/music room makes it easier to socialize and share travel experiences. Staff should know the local bus routes, things to do and see, best tour deals, and what to avoid. Internet access is a big plus as it makes it so much easier to let family know you're still alive and well, (postcards from Turkey were routinely stolen for the stamps in the 70's), and to confirm flights,etc. I hate it when people make hostellers sound like a bunch of drunks and losers, most are intelligent, friendly and interested in the world around them.
by Jim - 2009-04-08 05:09
Steve and Genia make excellent comments. Noisy drunkedness is such selfish behavior. You do that in an environment where other people choose to share that activity, not in a place where others are forced to share the results of your choices. A hostel should be primarily a safe place to eat, rest and socialize, not to play out one's noisy and irresponsible choices. Sense of humour is not the issue; the issue is how one's behavior affects those in the vicinity. You suggest that humour equates to drunken good times; a very narrow and confining and often destructive view.
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