5 ideas for being the host with the most

Being a host in the Freebird Club is much like being a doting parent; you house someone you have a good time together and teach each other about the world, and you help them get around your local area. Except you don’t have to put them through school or deal with their dramas.

Ultimately being a host is an opportunity to welcome in cultures from around the world, make new friends and share experiences. It’s also an opportunity to showcase where you live and introduce your guests to the real version of your hometown. Not just the spots highlighted in local brochures.

That said, it’s not always easy to know where to begin – everyone’s different, and used to different levels of social interactions and activities. So to make things easier we’ve compiled our top 5 ideas to help you and your Freebird guest get on like a house on fire. (Actually lighting your house on fire won’t help you achieve good host points, just so you know).

Contents:

1. Food

2. Space to relax

3. Culture

4. Nature

5. Conversation starters

1. Food

Whether you’re a culinary master or just a regular at your local cafe, food around a table is an easy way into the meat of the matter with you and your guest.

We recommend checking what your Freebird guest likes ahead of time and if they have any dietary requirements, this means you can plan where or what you might eat. Often visiting Freebirds will be keen to try out local cuisine so do think on your favourite spots and what constitutes authentic local food. If you’re eating out, it’s also important to consider the atmosphere, see whether your guest wants a busy bustling place full of life, or they might want somewhere relaxed where you can chin wag over a glass of wine.

We shouldn’t forget drinks either, check whether or not they drink alcohol and if so what they like, this can be a nice touch for someone far from home to find a few of their favourite beers in the fridge.

2. Space to relax

Chances are your Freebird guest has travelled a fair way to come and visit, so ensuring they have a private space they can retreat to to recharge their batteries is important ahead of any social activity.

A good checklist of things to consider when arranging your guest’s quarters is:

• – Make sure the room is tidy and clean.
• – That their bed linen is clean and fresh.
• – Scent is often an underlooked element for creating a relaxing atmosphere.
• – Natural light is always important if you’re able to use a windowed room.
• – Provide a clean towel for them to dry off after a shower or bath.
• – Consider toiletries, mini-bottles are always a nice touch.
• – You could leave out some local brochures to give them an idea of the area.
• – For a final flourish a welcome note can help them feel right at home.

Also don’t forget to relax yourself. It can feel stressful hosting people, remember not to put too much pressure on the situation, you’ll both have different amounts of energy at different times so there’s no problem if either of you needs some down time. We’re also with you all the way should you need anything.

3. Culture

Quite a broad word, but often the main reason someone visits somewhere new is to get a sense of its history, the way people live and any other quirks that define a place.

This is your opportunity to act as a local guide and show off your hometown (or city, or region). We recommend doing a bit of research, and if you can, putting together a list of historical anecdotes, facts and insights so that you can reel them off when needed. You might already be well versed in all this, but it is a crucial role you can play to your guest, and often where most conversation will lead. It really helps your guest get a sense of where they are and provides a lot of opportunity for them to ask questions and for conversation to flow.

Having a map marked with local landmarks, museums and hotspots can help you signpost where your guests can go, and you can go with them if you’re both up for it.

Equally don’t forget your guests will have their own local culture that they’ll bring with them, this is an opportunity for you to learn more about a new place too. Often people feel most at home when new people ask them about their home and its history and way of life, feel free to ask questions. (Although do remember to be sensitive to people’s backgrounds and cultures too).

4. Nature

Whether you’re rural or urban, chances are your guests will be keen to get out and about, be it in parks or beaches or dales or whatever might be on your doorstep. Being able to highlight where the best spots are can really help guests see the best of your area straight away.

Advice about what to bring is also very useful, let them know if they need wellies, or swimming costumes or suncream. And for extra brownie points if you have any of these items yourself you can expect some great feedback if you offer them to your guest.

5. Conversation starters

Maybe you don’t need these, in which case great. But if you do ever feel you and your guest aren’t connecting as you’d hoped or you’re not sure what to talk about, then here’s a few of our favourite prompts from over the years:

– What was the last trip you did? I’d love to know more about your travelling experiences.

– What was it like growing up in ______? And fond memories in particular?

– How does the weather compare here to back home?

– How was your journey here?

– What would you say you’re interested in learning more about, cultural things, activities, places to eat?

– What are examples of local cuisine where you’re from?

– Would you like to go for a walk so you know where things are?

– What kind of hobbies do you keep up?

– What’s your family like? Do you all keep in touch?

– What’s your favourite thing about living in ____?

– What’s the worst thing about living in _____?

– What have you read/watched/seen recently that you’ve found interesting?

– What would you normall be doing if you weren’t here?

Hopefully these are helpful, you should also have chatted a bit on our site so there will already be some common ground to discuss. And just remember to ask as many questions as you can off the back of your guests answers and eventually you should find conversation flowing.

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