CouchSurfing is a global hospitality exchange service accessible via a website and mobile app. After setting up user profiles on which other members can post reviews,[9] members can request lodging publicly or directly from other members,[10] "hang out" with other members,[11] or join/create events.[12][13] The platform is a gift economy — hosts are not allowed to charge for lodging.[14][15] Although harassment is against the terms of service, Couchsurfing has been described as a hookup culture[16] and in some areas, unsolicited sexual advances and requests for dating are common.[17]
Couchsurfing was conceived by computer programmer and New Hampshire native Casey Fenton in 1999, when he was 21 years old.[1][20][21] The idea arose after Fenton found a cheap flight from Boston to Iceland but did not have lodging. Fenton hacked into a database of the University of Iceland and randomly e-mailed 1,500 students asking for a homestay. He received between 50 and 100 offers and chose to stay at the home of an Icelandic rhythm and blues singer.[20] On the return flight to Boston, he came up with the idea to create the website. He registered the couchsurfing.com domain name on 12 June 1999.[20][22]
CouchSurfing is a global hospitality exchange service accessible via a
website and mobile app. After setting up user profiles on which other
members can post reviews,[9] members can request lodging publicly or
directly from other members,[10] "hang out" with other members,[11] or join/create events.[12][13] The platform is a gift economy — hosts are not
allowed to charge for lodging.[14][15] Although harassment is against the
terms of service, Couchsurfing has been described as a hookup culture[16]
and in some areas, unsolicited sexual advances and requests for dating are
common.[17]
Couchsurfing was conceived by computer programmer and New Hampshire native
Casey Fenton in 1999, when he was 21 years old.[1][20][21] The idea arose
after Fenton found a cheap flight from Boston to Iceland but did not have
lodging. Fenton hacked into a database of the University of Iceland and
randomly e-mailed 1,500 students asking for a homestay. He received between 50 and 100 offers and chose to stay at the home of an Icelandic rhythm and
blues singer.[20] On the return flight to Boston, he came up with the idea
to create the website. He registered the couchsurfing.com domain name on 12 June 1999.[20][22]