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We wanted to chat with Airbnb about how to tackle the issue of boning in other people's spaces with tact and aplomb. Their kind PR person shared the company's etiquette guide, which was written by Debrett's, the "trusted source on British social skills." While it suggests things like keeping visits to the bathroom as short as possible and discourages guests from shouting between rooms, it doesn't come close to broaching the topic of fucking amongst and between houseguests. That's because it's generally not something that's socially acceptable to bring up, even with tact and aplomb.
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When dealing with potential subletters, you're likely only going to capture thin slices of behavior, which can make it challenging to decipher if they're psychopathic or not. However, Zach Walsh, a psychology professor at University of British Columbia, said to be wary of shoe enthusiasts. That's something he learned while studying psychopathic behavior in prisons."We'd do something called the shoe test, where if someone complimented your shoes right off the bat for no good reason, that was a sure tell," he said.If you're communicating with your potential guest strictly online, there are certain points a psychopath will be more inclined to focus on than others."If you look at verbalization of high-psychopathy patients, they were more focused on material needs like food, drink, and money and make fewer references to social needs like family or religion," he said.So if your potential renter is keen on talking about what the chimichanga he's eating at the moment, rather than if wife who prefer to use two pillows instead of one, it might be a red flag.
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When it comes to outfitting your home for long- or short-term renters, take the Buddhist approach and let go of value placed on inanimate objects."You need to get into the headspace that your house is no longer going to be your home," said Amanda Forrest, a Toronto-based design expert. "Pack away anything you cherish, whether expensive or sentimental in value, and start thinking of your home as a business investment."If you're planning on renting out your home as a way to supplement your income, invest in furniture from Ikea or garage sales—stuff that you're not attached to."Choose furniture, decor, and finishes that are commercial-grade—things that can easily be wiped down and can handle extreme wear and tear, which will save you headaches down the road," she said.If You're Staging a Drug-Fueled Orgy, Stagger Your Highs:
If you're on the other end of the bargain—a subletter looking for a place to have group sex—there are several basic rules to be followed, all involving respect and good behavior. Abby Normal, a Vancouver-based promoter, regularly organizes sex parties for all genders, in all kinds of venues, including her home. She has a trunk that's basically an orgy-preparedness kit, full of toys, lubes, and latex and will lay out sheets over her furniture to save from scrubbing up splooge. If drugs are involved, Normal makes sure they aren't taken in unison.
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