Thanx for the offbeat article.
It's more daring and requires much more chutzpah than internet social networking....and i might assume more rewarding?

The couchsurfers I spoke to found CS very rewarding and invigorating. There were a couple of odd folks, but most were fun and interesting (and anyway, you get to choose who to stay with, or invite in). The point of my post is that we are social creatures, and this ia a great way to have new and interesting social contacts. There is also a "just coffee" option that my friend Bob uses a lot--meet a CSer for coffee when you are in a new place, or when they are.

Paul J. Zak and Ken Grimes are currently writing a book called The Moral Molecule

This sounds like something I'd totally dig. In fact, now that I'm thinking back on it, I did it one time back in the 80s when I was traveling. No wait, TWICE. Met strangers and crashed on their couch once, and the other time I met a couple someplace and the three of us chipped in and bought a hotel room for the night, to minimize expenses. Thinking of that now, it seems nutty but at the time, money was super tight and I just did it. I've always trusted my gut too, and none of those people set my Spidey Senses to tingling!

I've also done it more recently, only with people that I have known "virtually" through an online discussion board. I'd probably couchsurf today via the more structured format of the internet, but I'm pretty sure my husband wouldn't go for it.

~Monica

Yes Paul you are welcome to stay on our couch in Wellington, New Zealand, if we can find a free night when the Bavarian couch surfers are not staying here.

Marg: I'll take you up on your offer next time I'm in New Zealand. Thanks!

Paul J. Zak and Ken Grimes are currently writing a book called The Moral Molecule

oh dear, not THOMAS again...

In "The geography of bliss : One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World," author Eric Weiner mentions that an important parameter of a culture's happiness is the measure of trust its inhabitants experience and exhibit.

Extrapolate from that an individual's willingness to trust, and you can see why couchsurfers are in general a happy sort.... Paul, when you come to Portland (Oregon) you can have a cute little camper all to yourself: we introverts need to support one another. :~)

In Washington, DC, there is a phenomenon called slug lines (http://www.slug-lines.com/). Slugging is a term used to describe a unique form of commuting found in the Washington, DC area. It has thousands of vehicles at its disposal, moves thousands of commuters daily, and the best part, it’s FREE! Not only is it free, but it gets people to and from work faster than the typical bus, metro, or train. It's unique because it is not a government sponsored commuter program, but one created out of ingenuity from local citizens to solve commuter problems.

Have been on CS for 2.5 years, have met some most wonderful people through it. The reason this community vibrates is that most active members on this group are explorers and they are so open minded that they can take any perspective or point of view.

You would be amazed how fast the guests become a part of your household.

Hey, mate!
A job well done! Quite an enjoyable article. And to answer your last question, should you feel an urge to drop by in the humble South East of Europe, there's a couch waiting for you in Sofia, Bulgaria ;)

Best!
s.

Hi,

ok ... now I'm a little bit shooked you see the Couchsurfing Syndrom a natural outgrowth of a hungry THOMAS?
...
Visit my Couch:
www.couchsurfing-host.com
You can crash on it - and hell yeah my name is Thomas (no joke)

I AM a super social being, and I have couchsurfed before, and I do now. My friends thinks its crazy, but they also see I come back from my trips centered, calmer, and relaxed.

I fell in love with Morocco, so much that I decided to move here two years ago. I'm glad I did, I'd hate to be in the UK now with all this bad weather and a recession.

In Morocco no matter what the weather the sun always manages to come out, even for a few seconds to say "Marhaba"!

I work in holiday rentals. This is my website:

Marrakech Holiday Rentals

Wishing you all the best.

Salim

"Research consistently shows that those with larger social networks are healthier, happier, and live longer. Those who attend church regularly also get these benefits, and this may be due the sociality and fellowship that follows worship."

This is clever jargon for "I want you to believe there is a measurable physiological difference between social and antisocial individuals, because I'm of a clique of psychologists who claim there is, without real evidence. That's why I didn't actually provide you with any, and just waved my hand and claimed there is some."

Hi,

you are always welcome to crash on my couch in Riga, Latvia! I have been using CS for almost every month for 2 years now and I love it! :) Maybe this is why I have decided to write my MA thesis excatly on CS, it is an amazing project!!! ;)