Sometimes communication can be difficult or expectations may differ between WWOOFers and hosts, despite everyone’s best intentions.
Here are some steps to follow:
- Take time to talk: Offer your host a calm moment to discuss the stay. During this time:
- Express how you feel using “I” statements rather than “you” (for example: “I feel uncomfortable when the days get longer without any discussion. I need to know when we start and finish.” rather than “You’re taking advantage; we’re working all the time here.”). This helps avoid making the other person feel attacked and encourages constructive dialogue.
- Mention concrete facts: Avoid saying “I never have enough to eat.” Instead, say “Yesterday, I was still hungry after lunch. Would it be possible to have a snack or increase the portions?” to stay factual.
- Also highlight positive aspects of the stay: “I really enjoyed learning how to bake bread this week and sharing meals together.”
- Try to understand what is important to your host. Ask open questions like: “What is important to you in organizing my stay here?” and be ready to adjust some things on your side as well.
- Remind them of the Key Principles and Required Criteria for Hosts: If some principles are not respected, say so clearly and ask for them to be honored.
- Point out what you would like to change and agree on a deadline: “Let’s give ourselves until the day after tomorrow to readjust things, and then we’ll see if we can continue together or if it’s better to stop.”
- If things don’t improve, you can end the stay: Inform your host respectfully, and arrange your departure safely (transport, temporary accommodation, etc.).
- Contact the WWOOF team: If you need support or if you feel it’s important to report the host’s attitude, contact the local WWOOF team. We are here to support you, gather your feedback, and intervene if necessary.
- In case of an emergency, contact local authorities.
- We encourage you to leave an honest and constructive comment on the host’s profile, based on concrete facts. This will help warn future WWOOFers.