@Amaris0, @Ana7 - Thanks for sharing your comments. The frustrating thing is that it is such a simple fix - simply print a standard defintion of what each star means. I've never seen a rating system that didn't first indicate what stars mean.
We are in the hospitality business - the business of serving the needs of others. I think we all look to our guests to give us feedback regarding what they loved, and what they might have liked to have been different. I find that serving others is such an easy thing to do, because they tell us what they need. It's how I've approached anything I've ever done in my life. Because no matter what we do, we are serving someone else in some way.
I also know that there is an energy created, a momentum, so to speak, behind any endeavor. I understand that positive energy, which comes from people feeling well cared for, creates momentum in a positive direction. I also know that lots of upset, fear, anxiety, frustration, bitterness, creates momentum of a different sort.
Fairly new to reading this forum, I was surprised at all the legitimate negative concerns being expressed about all sorts of issues, from mandatory instant booking, to hosts being removed without communication from airbnb, to guests with unreasonable expectations, to legal conflicts, to this very star system. Until I became involved as a host, I thought airbnb was a marvelous concept, which is why I decided to get involved in the first place.
Just like I listen carefully to those I serve, because I want to create a momentum of positive energy to continue to allow my success to unfold, it surprises me that the number one complaint I seem to be reading about is the apparent lack of concern and communication from Airbnb admins. It's so easy to fix, that it surprises me that there seems to be such a lack of response, and a disregard for the thoughts, feelings, and comments of those who are in the trenches - those who are being served by the organization, both hosts and guests.
I once heard it said that how one does anything is how one does everything. Perhaps it is this disregard for the well-being of hosts that is carrying over to the worldwide struggle Airbnb is having with legal regulations. In any business I run, my number one commitment is to listening to those I serve, because they are the ones letting me know what they want from me, and ultimately, they are the ones paying my salary.
It all comes down to communication. Lack of communication causes upset and bitterness and resentment all around. And that is never good for business. For anyone.
I read lots of posts on this forum about frustrations. But I read very little about resolution. And so I ask - what sort of system is in place for there to be real, helpful, positive communication between Airbnb admins and the people they serve? And if there isn't one, how can one be created? We're actually all on the same side! It has surprised me to discover there seems to be an "us against them" mentality, when it absolutely doesn't need to be so.
Airbnb is a wonderful concept, one I am excited to be involved with. The impact goes way beyond money. I am discovering the joy inherent in creating real relationships. Look at this forum - people are communicatng from all around the world, and we are all learning the very valuable lesson that we are human beings first, nationals second, and that we are all way more alike, than different. It is through the creation of global community that change occurs. Real change always starts at the bottom, and the top only reflects what has gone before.
There is power in community. There is power in relationship. The Airbnb model has the ability to impact the world - not the hotel industry, not the financial markets, not the lawmakers. It has the ability to create a change in the way things are done because of sharing a common desire to make the world a little bit better for everyone we meet. And that desire, as small as it is, has the power to move mountains.
I, for one, would like to see real dialog between the Airbnb admins, hosts, and guests. Because I think this is a model worth saving. The tone of these forums is often negative, simply because posters feel their voice isn't being heard.
Well, I'm hearing the voices. The question is, how does one bridge the gap so that positive momentum can be restored? Because I suspect that if the momentum were to change from frustration to mutual support, Airbnb's legal battles might start to change as well.
I'm getting off my soapbox now............
