There was a situation where a female Couchsurfer went to stay with a host. The host turned out to be a bit of a creep. He would constantly make inappropriate comments and invade her personal space. She felt really uncomfortable and had to leave earlier than planned to ensure her safety.
Sure. There was a story of a surfer who found out that the host was stealing from him. Small items like his charger and some money went missing during his stay. When he confronted the host, the host denied it and became very aggressive. It was a very unpleasant experience.
One horror story could be about a traveler who couchsurfed and found the host was extremely unhygienic. The place was dirty and full of bugs. It made the traveler's stay very uncomfortable and they couldn't wait to leave.
Sure. There was a couchsurfer who was promised a private room but when they arrived, the host made them sleep on a dirty and smelly couch in the living room with no privacy at all. There were also other strangers coming in and out of the apartment all night, which made the couchsurfer feel very unsafe.
A gay man was traveling alone and was a bit nervous about Couchsurfing. But his host was super friendly. The host showed him around the city's hidden gay gems, like small cafes where the gay community gathered. They also talked about how Couchsurfing can be a great platform for gay people to connect and break down barriers, which was really inspiring.
Some horror stories involve hosts canceling at the last minute. A traveler had planned his entire trip around a confirmed Couchsurfing stay. But just a few hours before he was supposed to arrive, the host canceled. This left the traveler stranded in a foreign city with no accommodation and limited funds. It was a huge inconvenience and a real nightmare for him.
Sure. One great Couchsurfing experience I had was in Paris. I stayed with a local host who was really passionate about art. He took me to some hidden art galleries and small cafes that only locals knew. We also had great conversations about different cultures and he gave me some really good tips on exploring the city on a budget.
One common type is the unhygienic situation. For example, hosts may have dirty living spaces with bugs or bad smells. Another is the false advertisement of the accommodation. They might say it's a nice room but it ends up being a closet - like space.
Read reviews carefully. If a host or a surfer has a lot of negative reviews, it's a big red flag. For example, if reviews mention things like a dirty place or strange behavior, stay away.
One horror story is about a traveler who found the host on Couchsurfing was not who they claimed to be. The host had a really dirty and unhygienic place which was not shown in the profile pictures at all. It was full of bugs and smelled bad. The traveler had to leave immediately and find another place to stay in the middle of the night.
One memorable story is of a gay individual who Couchsurfed in a place known for being not so gay - friendly. But his host was an ally and made sure he felt safe. The host even educated the local neighbors about being more accepting. It was a story of how Couchsurfing can change perspectives.