Pugilistic host doesn't go down without a fight

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With all the thoughtful crafting of negative guest reviews that goes on on this site (“somehow missed the information in the listing”; “would be better suited to a hotel”) I want to take a moment to recognize this admirably pugilistic host. Every negative review he takes the fight directly to the reviewer. My favorite, below: “I had a full year of pleasant guests & don’t want to comment about your catastrophic behavior”.

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here’s one in Portuguese where he replies in Spanish: “your report is full of lies, unfortunately”

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Anyway, it amused me. I am staying with this host in July heaven help me and will try to stay on his good side. Wish me luck.

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Why oh why do you think that is a good idea???

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That’s fascinating. His apartment must be something special. No way I would give this person my money.

And believe or not I’ve seen much worse.

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I like a challenge. Plus its an unbeatable West Village location in NYC. Plus I’m looking for hosting tips :slight_smile:

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Just be careful. Most “entire place” listings are illegal in NYC and the city is actively cracking down. So have a back up plan in mind.

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Pugilist is a fancy word for boxer, one who indulges in the noble art of pugilism , or fighting with one’s fists.

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yes @Annet3176, as a Brit I would call him ‘fighty’.

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@icenisf

Admitting I guess I am a bit bucolic—although I have a BS-Bus Admin, MBA & BS-Nursing. Too much alphabet soup & should finish paying off tuition loans by the time I’m 70.

I had to look it up. It is not a commonly used word in my area. I would have referred to him as “not going down without a fight” without the descriptor.

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Had a similar host nearby. Unsafe stairwells, no heat or a/c in the attic (up to 10 people) and one bathroom up to 20 people.

Well he’d insult every person who complained, and it usually got personal. Like "you parked in front of a fire hydrant"or “waddya want for $20 a night!” or “I have had 1,000 reviews against your crappy review!” Howard Stern ran this place! And they just kept on coming!

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A fascinating insight into guests who read bad reviews and host responses, yet still choose to book @icenisf

Surely he can’t have been the only host you could have stayed with in New York in that location?

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I think that some stay just so they can leave aeview and see his response :smile:

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I live in NYC. I can also tell you that if this host is offering you a full apartment in an apartment building, be forewarned that his Airbnb could be shut down by the city at any moment. It is illegal.

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To illustrate with non-vague statements…I had a guest here about two weeks ago who used to live in NY but still has NY listed as his home and an apartment in the west village but only one review. He said he no longer lives in NY and he quit hosting because the city shut down his neighbor. Also I’m on a facebook group that has a travel section and a lot of NY members. One host in Brooklyn has been visited in the city and another member got their NYC airbnb canceled at the last minute.
So chances may be small but they are there.

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Exactly. Frankly, rats? He should be shut down. I don’t really understand where the OP is coming from by staying there, but then again, I am old.

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I recently read “Kids” Patti Smith’s excellent memoir of her and Robert Mapplethorpe living in West Village cold water walk up apartments in the late 60s before they were both famous. I imagine Hector offers a recherche experience complete with resident vermin and beat poetry readings.

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I will ask about the poetry.

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I like your attitude. Some people just complain too much. I mean a rat is really just an apartment squirrel.

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I read that just last month :slight_smile:

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I just came across this particular thread tonight – did @icenisf ever post an update about her stay in July?

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I don’t think so. It must have been uneventful. I saw a host’s responses that make this look like nothing and now I’m kicking myself that I can’t remember where I saw them. If I ever run across them again I’ll PM them to you. They were dismayzing.