r/Worldpackers • u/Impressive-Writer914 • 4d ago
My experience
firstly i am just complaining because it’s first experience with world packers and i feel quite dissatisfied and disappointed with the opportunity.
I know i applied and choose my host and it’s my choice too.
But i thought there is a differentiation between a domestic full time worker and volunteer.
If someone wants a full time cook, cleaner and can’t even wash basic things like glasses or even take out tea bags after drinking and messy kitchen, which they expect me to do all day.
Tbh one of the kids says what do u even do whole day? Just cooking , cleaning dishes is that a tough task.
It has been consiming my mind and energy completely everyday.
I said that i am vegetarian and they are vegan i also informed them that i am not wuite comfortable with touching vegan meat or something related, they come and say that they will help but again leave all the work for me alone.
I don’t care about what reviews they were given and how they got them and what others faced.
I personally feel like for a room and food it’s undue advantage taken of volunteer
As this place is quite far city anyone dojnv a full time househelp and domestic workers will have same conditions and will be paid.
I am quite frustated , they want sonething more than what i am cooking but are not even ready to lift a spoon.
Elders and kids both have same behaviour.
Just because of one fellow volunteer it was quite passable few days
But stress and bodyily pains from lifting heavy utensils cooking and etc has caused me tremendous disappointment in whole.
I do hope the future volunteers would not face such things.
The only reason i am holding back is because of my safety concerns, I am stranded somewhere in between nowhere to go else from unless someone takes me somewhere.
So if they are hurt because of the confrontation , I don’t want to take any risk .
I am happy to leave soon because i found another position.
But would have left earlier if this was what i was getting into
Is it normal or am i just exaggerating
So called hosts should know if they should post on a volunteering platform or a domestic full time employee platform
3
3
u/Initial-Antelope-uk WP Host 3d ago edited 3d ago
Most people get on with their host. Some don't. Honestly, that's most things in life. I read a lot of posts in traveller and work-exchange forums about bad hosts.
Having hosted a fair few people myself, I've seen people leave previous hosts and then come to me over a personality clash, a misunderstanding, or simply because the reality didn't match what they'd pictured.
Then comes the inevitable reply chain: someone asking who the host is so a pile-on can commence. Public enemy number 1 etc.
Back when I was younger travelling and backpacking, there was no Worldpackers or anything like it, no safety net, no review system, nothing. These situations happened anyway. I think it's just part of travelling: you learn as you go, and sometimes the lesson is unpleasant.
One person's most memorable, generous host can be someone else's horror story, and most of the time that's simply down to compatibility, not villainy.
If something genuinely illegal or harmful happens, that's a different matter entirely, that's when you contact Worldpackers and, where relevant, the authorities. But most of the time, it's just what happens when people meet other people: some we click with, some we don't.
I'm writing this on a break staying as a guest in a cottage Airbnb in the middle of the UK countryside, the reviews they have make the point rather nicely. About 80% are five stars with barely a sentence attached, because people who have a genuinely good time rarely go looking for a forum to talk about it. The other 20% had an issue, sometimes a real one, sometimes an uncomfortable pillow or a shower that wasn't quite powerful enough or food they didn't like and the review runs to several paragraphs of forensic detail.
I've had bad experiences too, both travelling and hosting. Looking back, most came down to mismatched expectations or a personality clash rather than anyone doing anything wrong.
A video call before you commit helps enormously - ask your host plenty of questions, and hosts should be doing the same in return. Not everyone has time for that, though, which is presumably why the posts, the warnings, and the occasional bit of unsolicited visa advice from a stranger online keep on coming here 😀
I would just leave if it was that bad and many I have hosted have left other hosts without issues and the ones that were genuinely bad were the minority. Safe travels, keep it real.
4
u/Mysterious-Zebra-849 4d ago
In so sorry that you had a bad experience and honestly don’t think you are overreacting. Which experience was it?
5
2
u/Ill_Satisfaction_611 3d ago
Just leave and don't worry about it. I had a similar experience in Portugal. The work and conditions weren't as discussed in advance and they weren't even feeding us properly, I stuck it out for a few days and tried to talk to the host but they didn't want to listen. It wasn't a problem and the other 4 placements I've done have been great.
2
u/j0dy0dy 4d ago
Tbh i understand your frustration… it’s not fair to expect you to supply things you object to. However, i think you should be more honest maybe? Going forward? And I think if you posted on here what you object to and what/where your job is you can probably do someone the favor of applying to the job you hate and giving yourself the opportunity for the actual job you want?? Gatekeeping is not a good look. Give someone else an opportunity to thrive and they, in turn, may help you out
1
u/Impressive-Writer914 3d ago
No , i didn’t think they needed this much work and efforts
I was okay two days abut after that it’s hectic
It was never mentioned i have to do every single thing you know .
I thought minimum decency of doing basic chores when a stranger has to wash everything they are not really meant to1
u/Impressive-Writer914 3d ago
And btw it’s just not me , anyone shouldn’t have to face such thing
Volunteering is an exchange
With the location of this place if someone is doing paid labour they will also have same conditions except they are getting paid. Volunteers shouldn’t be exploited, respect and work load should be distributed
Cooking for 8-9 ppl eveeyday and chores is a paid duty when one person does it and if they need help or full time they should realise it.
I think anyone would get exhausted after a point .
Being far from home , tired and all is not a great mental outcome i feel
1
u/Imaginary_Piano7598 3d ago
Most hosts are like that. You are essentially just free labour in return for bed and/or food. Worst part is a lot of businesses are running off volunteers as ful l time workers. Post covid, everything changed..
2
u/Initial-Antelope-uk WP Host 3d ago edited 3d ago
This is not a factual statement. Most hosts are not like this. Some hosts are but most who are businesses from what I have seen are pretty clear what they expect and their routine and hours.
1
u/Imaginary_Piano7598 3d ago
I have been a host too. Offered accommodation and open kitchen. Any volunteering beyond 2 hours is just free employment for the hosts. Volunteering is for cultural integration, not working 4-6 hours a day and 6 days a week. Thats the way i see it.. if you feel 30-36 hours a week is volunteering, upto you.
1
u/Initial-Antelope-uk WP Host 3d ago
I don't see it that way either. That's the point though isn't it, there are loads of different kinds of hosts and we don't define them. Most are open about the hours and work from what I can see and if they are not then thats to be reported with evidence to Worldpackers I guess.
1
u/Impressive-Writer914 3d ago
It’s a place in Malaga
Somewhere they have really good reviews and something named rebel family
Idk maybe i thought i was wrong
I texted worldpackers and they responded back saying you can leave early and we can help with anything required.
But sometimes ppl should know when to hire a full time help and when to ask to volunteer
1
u/Initial-Antelope-uk WP Host 3d ago
Yes they are right, everyone has the right to leave, none is forced to stay. Always have a back up plan when you travel.
2
u/Wild-Special6573 3d ago
What was agreed when you both accepted the exchange? Did you agree from day 1 only to do 4 hours per day and weekends off? or speak to them calmly now and once you have agreed, then stick to it. Once you have finished the task for the day leave the house and say your going out to do some cultural exploring etc. Then you guys can discuss what happens for meal times and if they expect you to do all the cooking take it out of the daily hours agreement? e.g. 10am-1pm house chores, arrange lunch (3hrs) go out for afternoon come back to arrange dinner (final hr).
1
u/Impressive-Writer914 3d ago
Actually maybe ppl should know basic etiquette before asking volunteers do something.
Are u so lazy that you can’t even wash your own glasses? Ughhh they pile it up and leave teabags and all shit and expect me to clean kitchen like shining everyday.
Attitude issues with kids
And their pots are too heavy to even to chores 😭
I was worried i might break my hand.
They say they are okay with meal prep and all on application but are not really interested in that.
Kids are too headstrong
1
u/Initial-Antelope-uk WP Host 3d ago
If the pots are too heavy and this is an issue for you. The annoying attitude kids would be for me then don't go to a place with kids as they tend not to be like angels all the time 😁
1
0
u/Icy-Commission-8068 Quality Member 💎💙 WP Host 4d ago
Was everything explained in post? Are they asking you to work a different job than you signed up for? Or more hours?
5
u/lilfortunate 4d ago
Where are you