Report

Is Free WiFi Having a Negative Effect on the Social Atmosphere in Hostels?

The Ideal Hostel

Josh started this discussion 14 years 3 months ago

In the San Francisco Bay, coffee shop owners are torn between having to offer free WiFi to customers, and their coffee shops turning into boring study halls:

A Cup of Coffee With Your Wi-Fi?
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/a-cup-of-coffee-with-your-wi-fi/Content?oid=2155880

...while some coffeehouses have no qualms about marketing themselves as wi-fi shacks, an increasing number of cafe owners feel ambivalent about the effect that too many laptops can have on their business — and not just because a freeloading laptop user might take up valuable real estate while nursing a single cup of coffee for as long as seven or eight hours.

Catherine Keep, the manager at the Berkeley Philz, says that on busy weekdays as many as 80 percent of the customers in the cafe's main second-floor seating area are there with laptops, presumably working. "At the beginning we were here and it was like, 'Geez, it's a library up there!'" Keep said. "And that's not fun."

I thought the article might be interesting to hostels because of a possibly similar situation with offering free WiFi.

What do you think? Is the free WiFi having a negative effect on the atmosphere of hostels, or not really? The increasing number of laptops in common areas is definitely noticeable...

Comments

Report

magali

14 years

I know, it's a bit late to answer, anyway.

I am just a traveler, but i totally agree with Footprints and its saying: "You have to respond to the market and the market is demanding fast internet access in the hostels." As a traveler, i need wifi in the hostel ! in order to avoid to spend some time in a wifi-pub during the day, while i could visit the city.

I realize it also have quite a bad effect on people. i have been in Several hostel with wifi, and saw different behavior. Putting computers and wifi in common areas/living rooms... social rooms seems to me a bad idea, people won't interact, meet others travelers as well as they could without wifi in this kind of room.

Wifi in bedrooms, seem to me even worse! Yes, it is great, i would love to have wifi on my own bed. But i won't leave the bedroom to see what is happening and who is outside! And someone will certainly disturb some travelers by night.

At last, the best experiences i had, wifi was (twice) in the hallway, between the bedrooms and the common area (well arranged of course), a place where people are going through. You do not disturb anybody, people didn't stay a lot of time on their computer except some inconditionals. And quickly re-joined / went back to the "social" room. Often, travelers see you and invite you to join them in the social room, which help a lot to quit internet! and if you're like me (wish is maybe not easy to be! ;) ) you won't feel good to stay on the net, facebook or mail... seeing people leaving the hostel for night life, joining friends to the social room.... enjoying their trip. You will fell like you're not living you trip as you could, and you will maybe, hopefully close your laptop in order to live the moment.

The computers were all on the same table, i had a great and funny friendship with the guy that was next to me. But still, it's better to play a game with people while drinking a caipirinha! ;)

The "pay service" with a "free time of 1 hour", is a great idea, and was used in one of the hostels i have been to... but cannot say more about that.

Anyway, hope my message is not too usefull. It was my first message on this website after several months reeding all kind of post.(i am happy!!!)... happy anniversary to it!

Report

zomac

13 years

I've seen a hostel playing a trick to deal with this problem.

The common area has a lot of game tables and loud music, and there's a relatively silent living room with some working tables.

No restrictions or rules are written -- and people don't come here to obey a set of rules. But they will move to a designated area to use their computers.

Report

soi1david

13 years

I've seen a hostel playing a trick to deal with this problem.

The common area has a lot of game tables and loud music, and there's a relatively silent living room with some working tables.

No restrictions or rules are written -- and people don't come here to obey a set of rules. But they will move to a designated area to use their computers.

LOL.. that's what I do. Works a charm, We have a library on the mezzanine below= the Buddha Bookshelf. 3 seater couch table. Quite. easier to use Skype, work..etc away from who's in the common room = Music, noise. BUT it's not always a guarantee.... You have to have it ( my views are it should be free everywhere in the world) To many depend on it now.

Speaking loosely, It's been main stream around 20 yrs now. If your main demographics are 21- 26 in age, They've Known and used it all their lives as a communication/entertainment tool. I've had conversations on facebook with a guest who was sitting in the same room.

I remember the days of camaraderie, when word of mouth among travelers was the only way to find the "Happenings", the books...never bought, never used them, often outdated. finding a place to stay where you might, as far as games go, get a game or two of chess, maybe a warped pool table would be available... listening to the tales of others that had been to Places I'd add to the "To GO" with nothing but unverifiable verbal directions. the mental picture never being what I saw on arrival. Yes, in "Micro" ways this still happens but with the www. doing everything from the booking of accommodation and showing you Pic's from every corner, It will never be the same. {re-reading that... Soz if it sounds depressing.}

Ria's Ideal of actively going into them with alternative ideals of entertainment is the right Ideal..... If your shy to do these kind of in-house games.. an easy ideal is a Pub Crawl...lol everyone gets a bit more vocal, leaving most of the www. devices at home they have no choice but to verbally and physically interact. dancing is good.

Report

uktrail

13 years

I've had conversations on facebook with a guest who was sitting in the same room.

And now, a great new way of travelling! It will save you hundreds of pounds!

Don't spend your time and money in making bookings and buying air tickets. Just go to your computer and chat to people already in their hostels! Ask them about their trips!

Don't worry about carrying heavy loads, cold showers or snorers! Take your trip at home! Let Facebook do the work!:D:P

Report

soi1david

13 years

lol , I meant to put the word "Ashamedly," in front of that sentence ...... Just so ya know UK I didn't initiate the conversation, But just making a point.... That's the way it is now. :)

What tic's me off is when the wife phone text me that she needs to talk to me and at the time I'll be like 1 floor away... she could just shout. ( guess who pays the bills).

Search form

Report 'Is Free WiFi Having a Negative Effect on the Social Atmosphere in Hostels?'?

Report 'Re: Is Free WiFi Having a Negative Effect on the Social Atmosphe'?

Report 'Re: Is Free WiFi Having a Negative Effect on the Social Atmosphe'?

Report 'Re: Is Free WiFi Having a Negative Effect on the Social Atmosphe'?

Report 'Re: Is Free WiFi Having a Negative Effect on the Social Atmosphe'?

Report 'Re: Is Free WiFi Having a Negative Effect on the Social Atmosphe'?

Pages

Join the world's largest community of hostel professionals.

Check Your Email