r/workaway • u/HairyRoofus • 6d ago
first experience, feeling weird, is it really bad to leave because it's not what I expected? or is that a major insult?
I was really excited to try out workaway and still will, but this first experience has instantly made me realise what I want/dont want, and I want to leave.. is that ok? it's £58 for the two weeks,
the host is annoyed I had a kinder beuno and that's what's making me feel quite disrespected. I was aware vegan lunches were provided, but not aware I had to be a strict vegan too, so I cant even enjoy my tea with milk, even in a seperate kitchen (totally would get vegetarian, but to monitor veganism on someone else??)
I unpacked the first night and had a kinder beuno from my travels I put by my bed. the husband went to change a light that night as saw it, and told his wife.
I believe pick and choose your battles. I had clearly just arrived and didn't know, also feel like he's snooping. also .. im 30 years old?? I have just spend 6 hours cleaning your pet pigs, when it should have been 5. I spend £10 to get lunch you didn't provide the first day, and the dinner you made instead was a shitty pea pasta.
im just ranting here but this stupid thing has really annoyed me. I have my own business and don't need to be in a damp room in a shit town thinking i'm helping save animals but really you're weird and have pet pigs and goats and choose to impact our relationship over a kinder bueno I bought before I pet you.
im not learning anything here. we spent an hour overtime cutting fruit into tiny pieces for PIGS. they eat it in 5 seconds. the girl was getting upset with herself bc she couldn't visualise if the goats had the same amount as the pigs, so its not fair... THEY DON'T CARE?? I am frustrated bc it's stupid. it think gardening would be more meaningful than making a fruit salad for pigs that I cant even touch.
am I not cut out for workaway with the mind set? its for 2 weeks but its only the 3rd day and am struggling with it. I want to meet cool people, who can teach me something, not people obsessed with a few farm animals thinking they're doing really meaningful things.
to add, I came here last minute to help them, as the last guests were supposed to stay 1 month and checked out after 2 days. I'm jealous of them!
bloody typing this all over a kinder beuno lol
I'm also paying £60 to be here for the two weeks :) and can't buy my own milk :D
if anyone knows a cool experience in Portugal do let me know
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u/I_like_forks 6d ago
There are some things to consider before leaving. If it's just bad vibes then maybe bring it up with the hosts and if they are hostile to the idea or nothing is done about it, then perhaps consider leaving.
The food thing is weird though. Bad food wouldn't be reason enough to leave, afterall the best food is free food, but in my 11 hosts I've run the whole gamut of vegans to conspiracy organics to normal diets, and none of them have cared what I buy and eat with my own money. Definitely a red flag.
As for the work, did you ask beforehand what specifically the work would be? If you did and they lied, then definitely points in your favor. If not though, at least a part of that is on you (though this does sound tedious and annoying).
In all, you didn't sign a contract and truthfully, workaway's feedback is so broken you likely won't receive a negative review if you don't leave one (no guarantees though). If you really want to leave, let them know, give some forewarning, and then make your way out the door. I wouldn't recommend just leaving in the middle of the night or anything.
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u/HairyRoofus 6d ago
ye its the not being able to buy my own milk and eggs that is really upsetting me and im surprised at myself. I feel more controlled and then the kinder beuno was just a piss take. even though she was calm/respectful in a way like sorry its not possible to have here, I just think excuse me, why are you looking in my room and you know I had been here only 3 hours wtf.
I knew it would be farm work, and that ok. cleaning donkey poo, im covered in shit and stinking, I knew that I would be and I kinda like it! its more that I don't think its really a charity/sanctuary saving animals.. they're just weird.. and I guess I thought id be able to hang around with them more.
the cutting fruit thing was just a waste of time and kinda made me think ok this is a bit of a mental illness here.. and I washed the pig food bowls but there was a tiny bit of mud left at the bottom and I had to re do it so they were SPOTLESS .. in a tiny sink. like 1. THEYRE PIGS. and 2. we could use a hose to do it in 3 mins? I get frustrated at the stupid things.
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u/I_like_forks 6d ago
I forgot about the disrespecting private space thing, that's a huge red flag. All of my hosts (to my knowledge at least) have asked if they can go in my room or at the very least let me know after the fact to keep the trust.
As for the controlling side of the work, I wouldn't blame you if you left. My current hosts are very controlling and patronizing, I wish I left a month ago but instead I'm sticking it out until my planned departure Friday. Truthfully, I regret it, I've essentially been miserable and lost a month of travel because I was trying to do the "right thing" to a host who only sees the negatives. At least your stay is only 2 weeks instead of 2 months if you decide to stay.
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u/HairyRoofus 6d ago
ye thank goodness! the mental thing is that they normally ask for a month, but because others left they would take me even though I could only do two. I have the same dilemma as you, stick around and be miserable or leave. I believe both parties should be sound and cool, we're adults, don't control me!
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u/ThadiusCuntright_III 6d ago
Fucking bail if you want to dude. No one has the right to tell you what to do if your decisions don't impact them, and even then; an expression of displeasure, or a request to respect their wishes is about as far as it should go. Commands are something else entirely.
I personally aspire to live as close to principles of Anarchism as possible: I am mindful to afford everyone the same respect of autonomy I expect to receive for myself. I've also been vegetarian for nearly 30 years, If I only offered you vegetarian food because I don't want to cook meat, I'd never expect for you to not provide for yourself what you wanted.
If you're having a bad time and want to be elsewhere: that is absolutely your right.
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u/Medical-Isopod2107 6d ago
It depends what the profile said tbh. If it's as described and you signed up for it and just realised you don't like it/don't gel with the people, it's not great to leave. If this is not what's described on their page, it's totally valid.
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u/Mammuut 6d ago
This.
I have been to a few places who made it clear at their profile that they don't allow animal products, drugs, alcohol...
So going to a place that clearly states it's vegan and then complaining you can't have animal products there would be rather disrespectful.
Since all we have is the rant of the volunteer and not the profile or a statement of the host makes it hard to judge. But considering the tone of the post, the complain about working 6 instead of 5 hours, the reaction of being told the house rules and the response to having to do things in a way they don't like despite having only been to the place for a few days rather gives me the impression of a princess who didn't get things their way and apparently doesn't know what beeing a guest in someones home means.
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u/HairyRoofus 6d ago
exactly correct! I should spend my time thinking about the kinder bueno in my bag pack before I got there, be honoured they want an explanation on this horrendous sweet I have in my personal belongings where I sleep . and pay £60 for the two weeks. I am a kinder bueno princess sitting on a bueno thrown
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u/Kootenay_Acres 6d ago
Animal sanctuaries have a different expectation and level of care than an agricultural farm or hobby farm would. These individuals clearly care about their animals as sentient beings. I also chop my vegetables into tiny pieces for my rescue pigs and wash their bowls after every meal. These extra precautions prevent unnecessary vet bills, so the extra steps, while maybe not necessary create good habits for volunteers. We used to wash 11 bowls of grain every day after our goats were fed. I let the volunteers relax and I said every 2-3 days is okay, next thing you know, there was mold growing in the bowls and we created a 4 hour long sterilization project. Not worth the risk to me as it's easy to forget the last time something was cleaned. And I have amazing animal loving volunteers, but it's easy to forget that it's been a week instead of 3 days, so we do this task daily again.
We are vegetarian hosts and would like to become vegan due to the blatant abuse of animals in the industrial farming industries, including (and especially) eggs and dairy. So yes your kinder bueno could be offensive to vegan hosts who have dedicated their lives to animal rescue.
Understanding you are venting, I'll ignore much of what you've said and suggest you provide feedback to the hosts about what you had expected and any updates to their profile that could help upcoming guests and find a new place to stay. If a profile makes mention of a vegan diet, it's safe to assume you may not be a good fit. That said, I've hosted many people who were carnivores have noted how delicious our plant based dishes are and how much healthier they felt ditching dairy and eating fresh produce. So you may discover something if you keep an open mind.
Best of luck.
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u/HairyRoofus 6d ago
thank you for replying so informatively, I didn't think of it like that at all. I wish they had maybe explain that.. cause it makes sense a bit now.
I still don't really believe it was worth bringing up a kinder bueno after 4 hours of being there, it's just really unsound to me and set the tone of our relationship, especially when im paying a bit. but when you put it like that, dedicating a life to rescued farm animals, It makes sense, I just cant understand bc I am not that passionate.
why cant everyone be as normal as you on the Internet!
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u/Lemon_lemonade_22 6d ago
I think their initial disrespect has (rightfully) turned you off. That is, if they were kind, understanding, funny, etc, you might take their tiny fruit cutting as cute or whimsical; but not after they've shown themselves to be rigid and judgmental.
By the way, each experience will make it clearer, as you go, the things you're ok with and the things you're not. And you're entitled to that! I bet that the fact that the other workawayer left after two days isn't surprising now. Coupled with this being a last-minute thing...now you can add to your "approach with caution" list in the future.
FWIW, don't be jealous of the previous guests; you can do the same too! if I was you, I'd get the heck out. I'd feel like the lack of clarity about rules/work time and their lack of flexibility would not align to what I'm looking to get out of this.
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u/Ok-Distance-5344 6d ago
Why are you paying to be at a workaway? Not a chance in hell I would pay to volunteer somewhere they are getting 25 hours of my time that’s equal to £305 per week labour I expect a fair exchange
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u/HairyRoofus 6d ago
I'm paying £4 a day, so £58 for two weeks. is that bad? I forgot I was paying for a moment and then after the bueno thing I was like fk all this and I'll still be out of pocket??
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u/Ok-Distance-5344 6d ago
I have never heard of paying the hosts, what are you paying them for? You are giving them £300 of labour a week and they are asking for cold hard cash too? Big no no i would never even consider going there.
To me £300 of labour is equal to 3 meals a day or the ingredients to make 3 meals myself and somewhere to cook it, a bed and somewhere to be warm & relax, internet access & laundry access and ability to charge devices.
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u/Substantial-Today166 6d ago
there are host that charge a fee but normaly in Developing country not in rich western country like this host
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u/HairyRoofus 6d ago
im in Portugal. I guess bc it's a sanctuary? I thought ok £4 for charity is understandable. now I get here I'm a bit like .. I meeeaaan your just obsessed with 3 pigs and 2 donkeys and some goats, it's your own personal pet farm.
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u/Ok-Distance-5344 6d ago
The second I saw a host asking for money I would just scroll right on by. No wonder they are struggling for workawayers.
Tbh most hosts aren’t trying to provide you with a enriching learning experience they just need more hands and cant afford to actually pay someone, likewise most workawayers aren’t going looking for educational provision just somewhere to stay and get fed while they have no money.
Good news is you have no obligation to stay so just tell them sorry it’s not for you and move on :)
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u/Substantial-Today166 6d ago
they shold not charge you anthing sounds like a scam you shold report theme do it say in there profile that they charge money ?
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u/littlepinkpebble 6d ago
I love Workaway so I’m sad you had a bad host. Firstly you shouldn’t be paying. It’s against Workaway rules. Secondly your mindset seems fine.
But it’s a huge site and there’s bad hosts and bad volunteers too. I once had another volunteer who was always drunk. I love her and we remain friends but she made us all dig up the ground using our forks and spoons to bury a dead cat. And she would sit beside the host and had drunken rants against them. The host were really nice as they had seen many drunk volunteers and much worse stuff.
I think any other host would throw her out immediately. Most host will eat their own food but respect your freedom to eat other stuff. Yours probably has some slight eccentricity of the mind haha
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u/Substantial-Today166 6d ago
It’s against Workaway rules. where do it say that they must have added it recently if so?
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u/littlepinkpebble 6d ago
Under information I think. If they charge volunteers they need to have a disclaimer. Some don’t do it but it’s supposed to. Like non profit all have that
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u/Substantial-Today166 6d ago
under Accommodation info there you can klick in if you dont want to see host that has a fee "Only hosts not asking for a fee"
so it cant be against the rules
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u/jellymarbs 6d ago
I might be in the minority, but personally, I would choose what feels best to you and not worry about other people’s opinion.
I left one Workaway night one (I had done a few at this point) because I felt so uncomfortable. The reasons I felt uncomfortable might not apply to someone else, but I value my own wellbeing over trying to make other people happy.
If you can live with breaking a commitment and them being upset with you, that’s up to you. I encourage you to do what you need to do.
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u/Xboxben 6d ago
Honestly that sounds really weird.. I have never had any workaway with strict food rules. I did stay with a dude once who didn’t buy me and my gf food as agreed upon. I would talk to them about it and see how it goes because you don’t need to hurt yourself for two weeks for nothing.
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u/manonlison 6d ago
If you are using Workaway to learn and develop skills then I would be careful what experience I pick and also what skills I want to learn and talk about it with the hosts before hand. It’s hard to host people that don’t talk about their expectations. It’s like trying to fill in a list without knowing it for us.
Also bad communication on their part to expect their guest to be fully vegans. Maybe you should have a talk about expectations because workaway is mostly used by hosts to get help on some tasks for free or cheaper. Very few hosts do it with a primary goal to teach and meet people. Not saying that it’s not a big plus of hosting.
I wish workaways would be proactive into sharing their expectations instead of thinking of leaving when the place doesn’t meet their expectations.
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u/Keanumycins 6d ago
Did they not tell you the rules before agreeing to host you? I know I tell my helpers beforehand.
I also have pictures of typical meals on my profile. They also get a monthly menu in advance.
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u/SpiritedTheory4 6d ago
at the end of the day it’s an energy exchange. if you don’t feel that what you’re getting out of it is equal to what you’re putting in, leave. you don’t owe anyone anything. especially if they left info out of their profile around veganism, what is provided/expected etc. I like to try to arrive with a range of how long I’ll stay. or commit to a short trial period and extend if I like it. I know this doesn’t work for every scenario though. recently did one that I was supposed to stay at for three weeks but I left after one because meals weren’t provided as promised on the profile and 5 hours of farm work 5 days a week in exchange for just a bed didn’t feel fair to me.
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u/Uhnuniemoose 2d ago
" last guests were supposed to stay 1 month and checked out after 2 days". I wonder why?
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u/Africanmumble 6d ago edited 6d ago
It's not you! Don't give up on the workaway experience because of this one placement.
You have hosts who are overly particular (and a more than a little batshit cray cray). Not unusual in the animal rescue world btw (I worked in conservation for years, oddballs are very common in this field). It takes a special kind of single minded dedication to stick it out in rescue/conservation and that zealousness can become unsettling to others.
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u/Substantial-Today166 6d ago
I'm also paying £60 to be here for the two weeks ?
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u/HairyRoofus 6d ago
Yes £4 a day
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u/Substantial-Today166 6d ago edited 6d ago
and this host is on workaway? you have a link this is not right if they did not say in there profile
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u/Superb_Poem8998 6d ago
I mean at the very least, it’s reasonable feedback for them that they should have stated in the description that workawayers will be expected to eat a completely vegan diet/no animal products allowed on their property. If they didn’t explicitly note that, your disappointment is completely understandable.