An Airbnb host's excessive instructional notes left throughout the house has sparked discussion online over whether or not some people should be hosts in the first place.
Guest and TikTok user Tiffany Ingalls, @authentiffany, shared a video of her stay in a room which was a part of the host's house, gaining over 1 million views in just a week. Ingalls explained that she had booked the room last-minute after needing to stay in the area for longer, but that the reviews "were fine" and simply explained that the host was "detail oriented."
Detail oriented could be described as an understatement, with endless notes left around the room and bathroom. Guests were instructed by handwritten, color-coded notes on everything including which way to pull the shower curtain and how to use storage bins.
Ingalls described the notes as "controlling quirks" in the video, starting with a guide hanging on the doorknob, which was then requested to be hung inside the room after entry.
The initial sign advised guests to read all the other notes, including the guidebook which was shown in the next clip. "Next is the amount of information that's given every moment after that. In every way possible, and every part of the room," she explained, showing handwritten signs and notes everywhere.
In their defense, the majority of the notes included potentially handy information and instructions, should guests have any question whatsoever. Notes clarified how to use appliances and where to find them, but things got slightly stranger as it went on.
A following clip showed a hand-drawn diagram of the television remote, detailing each and every button. Ingalls also claimed the host told her she used the "wrong cup" to drink water from. According to the host, the cup was supposed to be used to store her toothbrush in.
The shower curtain also needed to be moved from right to left too, as directed by signs in the bathroom.
@authentiffany_ Respect the home, Tiktok about it later #fyp #airbnb #funny #controlissues #foryou #toomuchsauce #lol #airbnbhost
♬ original sound - Authentiffany
The video can also be seen in full here.
"This video was an idea that sparked as I was checking out of the room. I thought 'this would be funny to share.' It didn't get much attention and then a week later I open Tiktok and see it had suddenly blown up," Ingalls told Newsweek.
Despite the notes being far more than expected, Ingalls reassured viewers in a follow-up video that it wasn't enough to make her want to leave, saying: "This video was mostly for funny, but when I was there I was like 'okay, I recognize that I'm now overthinking because of all the information here but I wasn't so stressed out that I thought I needed to leave or that I wasn't gonna be able to figure it out, I just pivoted in the situation."
Viewers were left stunned by the notes but were just as split on what to think—some felt they were representative of over-controlling hosts while others attempted to see it from their perspective.
"I don't do Airbnb anymore, i've realized a lot of owners are too emotionally attached to their property they forget you are paying them it's not a favor," commented one TikTok user.
Another recounted: "I left an airbnb in Cleveland over a person like this and got a refund. I'm here to be comfortable and not feel like i'm being watched."
"I feel like she thought it was helping clear things up so nobody would ever have any questions...ever. But I actually thought it created more confusion," added Ingalls in a comment.
Many agreed with her view, with one user writing: "Over the top obviously, but I would appreciate clear instructions on how to use things like the remote control."
"Thing is, the person has had experiences with their guests that has led them to feel the need to explain all of this," added another.
Ingalls summarized her thoughts to Newsweek, highlighting the need to understand it from her host's perspective: "This video and the responses that it's received highlights for me just how complex we humans are. Our range of needs stretches far and wide and it shows that no one person could please all of us (it would be painful to even try).
"It also shows that many of us are still operating from a place where we judge and hate on others who are not aligned with our own specific needs and desires instead of seeing the value in their offering and how serving it may be for someone else.
"I hope if anything this video helps people to see that you can stand behind your own needs and desires while still holding compassion and understanding for others who aren't meeting it. We are all doing the best we can."
Update 12/21/2021, 2:51 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include comment from Tiffany Ingalls.
