We're going to guarantee hosting to all overseas dancers who register before March 1st. We'll do our best to sort out hosting for anyone registering after this, but can't necessarily promise places.
Londoners: please help us by hosting visitors! It's a great way to meet lovely new people from all over the world. You can indicate you would like to host when you register for the exchange.
How To Request Hosting
Request hosting when you register. You can only request one place, but you can let us know any friends you'd like to be put with in the special information field. We'll do our best to fit in with your requests.
The hosting arrangement is for the three nights of the exchange – 4th, 5th and 6th May. If you want to stay any longer, you need to discuss this with your kind host well in advance. They are not obliged to let you stay any longer.
Help Us By Hosting
We need a bucketload of space to squeeze in all the windswept and interesting international visitors. By hosting some of these travellers you can:
- make new friends
- make us happy
- receive return offers from your guests
- get a warm fuzzy feeling
Please offer hosting space when you make your booking or if you've already registered, drop us a line at info@londonlindyexchange.com to let us know the following:
- do you own any animals?
- do you permit smoking
- would you prefer just boys/just girls?
- how many bodies you can wedge in?
When considering if and how many dancers you can host, you may want to consider that those dancers normally attending exchanges are used to, and indeed enjoy, being packed in like sardines. A double bed can quite happily house two single girlies (we know what guys are like about sharing beds), sofa beds are good, most sofas happily sleep one, air mattresses also good, if you have thick carpets, who needs an air mattress? You get the gist. Pack 'em in and make a whole bunch of new friends in a single weekend.
Hosting Tips
So you've agreed to be a host or be hosted - that's great! Undoubtedly you will make new friends through this, so good for you! But maybe you've never hosted someone or been hosted, so here are some tips that we think will help make your hosting experience the best it can be.
If you are a host
You'll want to get in contact with your guest(s) early to find out about their travel arrangements, tell them how to get from the airport to your house etc. You also need to let them know if they need to bring anything - towels, sleeping bags, small offerings to the lindy gods, local delicacies such as chocolate are good.
As a host you aren't expected to host your guests longer than the exchange weekend but you may choose to do so. It is always a good idea to discuss arrangements before the exchange to avoid awkward conversations.
Hosts can't always give their guests lifts to events as most people in London don't have a car. If you are unable to travel to the venues with your guests, you should point your guests in the right direction for the nearest tube, bus or train station (see http://www.tfl.gov.uk). Perhaps giving them a tube map and/or lending them an A-Z would be nice too.
Lastly you are not responsible for feeding your guests but giving them the Indian takeaway menu for down the road is an acceptable idea. Providing internet access is optional as are foot massages, back rubs etc.
If you are a great host your guests might return the favour and have you to stay at their place sometime during their camp or exchange.
If you are a guest
It is a good idea to get in contact with your host and let them know your travel details. Also ask about what to bring, such as bedding, towels etc.
In London it is likely that you won't get a lift to the venue (most people don't drive) but ask about public transport options.
You will be responsible for feeding yourself and we ask that you only use your host's phone and internet access if it is offered.
Remember that you are a guest in your host's house so you are expected to tidy up after yourself. Offering to make cups of tea (especially to the British) is also seen as good guest behaviour. It is also a nice idea to bring something for your host - like a thank you card (with your email address), a mix CD of your favourite songs or a CD of a home-town local band. If your host does drive you around a lot, you might offer to pay for some petrol or parking costs.
If you are a lovely guest your host will be more likely to have you stay next time and you might want to return the favour and host them at your place.
Ideas for something to bring
If you are being hosted, it's always nice to bring something for your host. Here are some ideas:
- Thank you card
- Mix CD
- Local Speciality (e.g. food) from your region
- Chocolates