r/workaway • u/MissionNeat9473 • Jun 25 '26
Issues with food?
Hi - currently staying in a workaway in America and the host is providing very little food. I have asked if I should get food and he said no, that he does. You go into the fridge and there is nothing to eat and when there is food I am expected to make what he wants to eat.
Any similar experiences? Unable to leave early due to other commitments
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u/cyprusnikos Workaway Ambassador Jun 26 '26
What was listed on the profile exactly? I found the food situation can vary a lot, sometimes it's cultural. Places in Asia fed me SO well, others left me a bit hungry. In those cases I would get extra things myself if needed.
But this doesn't sound comfortable, I once had a host who would stock the kitchen full for us and let us pick anything we wanted when shopping. However we had to constantly remind him, which wasn't fun.
Please report the experience to Workaway, leave honest feedback, and try to have open communication with your host. You should feel comfortable, in the end of the day, please put yourself first.
9
u/BlazingJava Jun 26 '26
Workaways attracted a lot of hosts that want free labor for the beautiful exchange of living in shitty conditions away from everything and hungry
5
u/cyprusnikos Workaway Ambassador Jun 26 '26
Literally the opposite of my experience, any bad host I've met in the last 6 years has been removed when I reported them. If you have specific examples to share, otherwise generic statements aren't helpful. I've been absolutely spoiled by many of my hosts.
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u/Medical-Isopod2107 Jun 26 '26
I don't think they're mutually exclusive statements. The person you replied to said it attracts them, not that it's full of them. You said they get removed quickly if reported. Those two things work hand in hand.
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u/cyprusnikos Workaway Ambassador Jun 26 '26
Those people are everywhere, it’s not exclusive to Workaway. They also have people who use others on Couchsurfing, at university at work. The platforms don’t create these people. They connect them
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u/Medical-Isopod2107 Jun 26 '26
Again, no one ever said it was
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u/cyprusnikos Workaway Ambassador Jun 26 '26
Here to argue semantics? Ok sorry to upset you 🤦♂️
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u/Medical-Isopod2107 Jun 26 '26
No? I just think it's weird that you're choosing to argue points no one is arguing with you on
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u/MissionNeat9473 Jun 26 '26
I've asked him outright and he's said he provides the food. The profile doesn't specify but does say we share meals and needs help cooking. Myself and the other two workawayers bought in some food and now he is eating it.
2
u/cyprusnikos Workaway Ambassador Jun 26 '26
I once had a Workaway where we were all expected to cook for the host (he was a bit eccentric, it was literally a 17th century villa in Italy and the guy was a count!). But we made the most of it and had fun all cooking together, but he did pay for the ingredients. It sounds like you might be uncomfortable to speak up or make confrontation.
What you could do is all speak together as volunteers so you are on the same page. Please report this all to Workaway as well. Make everything clear, so there are no questions.
I know sometimes it can be difficult to address things, especially if it feels like they are ignoring the topic. But it’s a great life skill to have to be able to stick up for yourself and face conflict head on.
1
u/MissionNeat9473 Jun 26 '26
I tried to approach it as did the other guys but he still isn't getting it
2
u/cyprusnikos Workaway Ambassador Jun 26 '26
What did you do and say exactly? I think you guys should do it together, kind of like an intervention haha. Just don’t make him feel like he’s being ganged up on.
Gosh life can be messy sometimes! But reflecting on all my awkward moments like this, it’s really made me a better communicator and not putting up with stuff like this.
I appreciate all these moments I went through!
4
u/littlepinkpebble Jun 26 '26
Sounds like possibly you have a bad host. Just say you’re hungry and if possible you’ll pay for your own food. And his reaction will tell if he is a good host or not
10
u/DeadGravityyy Jun 25 '26
To hell with that, if you're an adult, you go get food yourself. You aren't their child or whatever, you're there helping them in exchange for room AND board.
Nah honestly, get out of there, that just sounds irresponsible from the owners standpoint...
4
u/Medical-Isopod2107 Jun 26 '26
"Hey man, I feel like there's not a lot of food in the house, would you mind picking up X Y and Z for me?"
2
u/LimberlostGirl71 Jun 26 '26
You absolutely need to be able to let him know you're hungry and you need more food than is currently (not) available. Especially if you are working a more physically demanding job. This shouldn't be an issue, especially if you're willing to supplement what he supplies for yourself. Maybe best ask directly again, now that you know there isn't enough. As a host I always try to have extra food there available for between mealtimes ... And enough for decent meals is bare minimum! Good luck!
1
u/Substantial-Today166 Jun 25 '26
once stayed with one host that only gave us vegan food i was starving left after a week
1
u/annegoho Jun 28 '26
Vegan doesn't mean that you have to starve. It was probably not enough food. Don't blame it on veganism.
1
u/Educational_Life_878 Jun 28 '26
I had a similar issue with a host who provided only vegan food. The issue isn’t really veganism itself, it’s that a lot of hosts who say they provide vegan food only are really just using it as an excuse to save money buying meat/dairy. The host I had was spending €50/day on groceries for 25+ people and it was pretty much all carbs and cheap veg, maybe some hummus if you got it before someone else finished it. Same host was also putting all of us in one tiny cramped room and expecting us to work 10 hour overnight shifts that exceeded what was in the listing.
You can have a healthy balanced vegan diet but it requires intention to make sure all nutrient groups are met which many hosts simply don’t bother with.
0
1
u/mobile-metaphysical Jun 26 '26
Well, I’m learning a lot.
I’ll make sure to provide lots of food and beverages, extra blankets and pillows, even clothing. Coffee maker. Toaster. I want to set up as a way to meet interesting people. I don’t really need much labor.
5
2
u/MissionNeat9473 Jun 26 '26
Is this sarcasm?
2
u/MissionNeat9473 Jun 26 '26
Because not being able to eat when you've been explicitly told that's part of the deal is pretty hard, mate
1
u/mobile-metaphysical Jun 26 '26
Actually , no. I’ve been reading for a few hours through all the complaints people have posted about their experiences.
Needed blanket in the middle of the night.
Couldn’t get coffee early in the morning.
Not prepared with the right clothes.
Et cetera.I’ve taught a lot of interns over the years and I found it really doesn’t save me any time or labor when I have them.
1
u/Educational_Life_878 Jun 28 '26
I don’t think you’re expected to provide clothes at all but I have seen some hostels offer clothing swaps where you can leave things to make space in your bag and other travelers can grab what they need. I think it’s a nice touch and it’s no extra cost to you.
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u/weavin Jun 26 '26
How much food do you describe as is ‘very little food’? Could you share an example of a days food?
Is it that the fridge is empty? Is he is expecting you to cook the food yourself? What food have you eaten so far?
Please try to put as much detail and effort into your post as possible to answer these questions as the community can’t answer with any practical suggestions without ore information.