MeetmyPlanet beta

traveler, local: make real connections

Help

  • Ambassador
  • Email Addresses
  • Friends
  • Home page
  • Host
  • Invites
  • Groups
  • Local Buddy
  • Login problems
  • Messages
  • Names
  • Photos
  • Profile
  • Registration
  • Requests
  • Safety System
  • Search
  • References
  • Tips
  • Travel Buddy
  • Travel diary
  • Trips
  • Verification
  • Vouching
  • Ambassador

    Who are the "Ambassadors"?

    The Ambassadors are dudettes and dudes who believe in the Hostmedudes project and contribute to spread the concept around the world and to develop the community. They share a real passion for travelling and embody the values of generosity, open-mindedness and freedom that are the basis of Hostmedudes' philosophy.

    I want to become an Ambassador!

    You can apply to become an Ambassador only when you are verified at Level 3. When you are, please fill in the form in the Contact page to apply. We are looking forward to counting you amongst our Ambassadors!

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    Email Addresses

    Hostmedudes requires you to maintain a valid contact email at all times as Hostmedudes may need to send you important updates.

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    Friends

    You can view anyone's profile. However, some information, such as the contact's details, can be hidden unless you become friends with that person.

    You can invite anyone that you can see on the site to become your friend. Just click on the "Add to Friends" button. A friend request will be sent to that person. Once they confirm that they actually are friends with you, they will show up on your Friends List.

    When you receive a friend request to become friend, you can either confirm or reject that request. In case you reject it, the person will not be notified.

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    Home page

    In the home page, you can find some crucial info such as:

    • Requests that have just been sent to you
    • Notifications letting you know the outcome of your requests
    • Completed profile info
    • Recent news regarding Hostmedudes
    • Some random hosts profiles
    • Recent travel tips dudes posted for you
    • Last travel diaries
    • Last popular groups
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    Host

    Hosts are dudettes and dudes who accept to open their homes to welcome you. They are not just providing for free accommodation but they are also opening their minds and their lives and are eager to be exposed to cultural exchanges.

    To ask a host to welcome you, just click on the "Ask for being host" button. A request will be sent to your potential host and you will be notified of the outcome.

    Don't hesitate to ask as many questions to your host or guest. There are several technological tools you can use to talk to that person: webcam, MSN, Skype

    How can I become a host?

    You have some room in your house and you're willing to host some dudes: welcome to the hostmedudes community!

    When completing your profile which is accessible through the My Profile page, go to the xxx tab. There, you will be able to fill in the status you would like to have. Just follow the instructions (number of guests you can host, etc.).

    How can I ask for hosting?

    1. You've decided you want to spend two weeks travelling around Europe. You've got a ticket whose final destination in Amsterdam, departing from Florence.
    2. You log on to hostmedudes.com and search for members from London, Paris, Rome and Amsterdam, your new travel itinerary.
    3. You contact some dudes from the list and explain them the sort of stay you're interested in. Use the "Host request" button.
    4. You then receive several offers of places where to stay. You decide that you want to spend a few days in each city.
    5. You confirm with your hosts, adjust your travel plans, and excitedly fly off to London.
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    Invites

    If you are enthusiastic about Hostmedudes, you can easily invite your friends who are not already on Hostmedudes to join with the Invite link. Just list the email addresses of people whom you would like to join. They will receive an email with instructions on how to register.

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    Groups

    How do I join a group?

    You can join any open group. These groups can be found using the "Browse Groups" link. Just enter a keyword for the group in the box Quick Search or alternatively, browse by category from the right side of the screen. When you find the group you are looking for, click on the Join Group link

    How do I create a group?

    You just need to click on the link "Create a New Group" at the top of the Groups page and follow the options

    How can I invite people to my group?

    You can invite your Hostmedudes friends. Click on the link Invite friends. You can also invite friends that are not on Hostmedudes via their email addresses. In that case, enter their valid email addresses and they will receive an invitation to register first and then join your group.

    How can I post a message to my entire group?

    To post a new topic, simply go to the group profile and activate the link Create discussion and write the first post. To take part in an existing discussion, just select the topic name and click on Reply. You can now add your commentaries!

    What should I do when I see abusive comments or statements?

    You can report any discussion or group as offensive. Just click on the button Report Abuse from the profile group. Hostmedudes will check these reports and take appropriate actions.

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    Local Buddy

    Local buddies are dudettes and dudes who are happy to welcome you in their towns. They make themselves available for a town tour, a coffee or a drink, a poker game or a party etc. Meeting local people is the best way to get to know the country's culture and benefit from the best tips locals can provide so don't hesitate to send them a message when you drop by New York, Paris, Shanghai or anywhere else!

    How can I become a local buddy?

    When completing your profile or when editing it, surf to the "Basics" tab. There, you will be able to notify your status.

    How can I ask someone to be my local buddy?

    Click on the Search button in the main menu and enter relevant search criteria. A list of members will be displayed. Just click on the "Local Buddy Request" button, compose a message and send it. The receiver can either reply your message or decline to.

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    Login problems

    How can I reset or change my password?

    You can reset and change your Hostmedudes password from the My Account page on the left menu.

    Hostmedudes passwords must be at least 6 characters long and can be any combination of letters and numbers. Please select a password that you can easily remember but that would be difficult for someone else to figure out.

    To reset your password, you can also use the "Forgot password" link, on the home page.

    If you are still experiencing some problems with your password:
    • Send an email to from the email address you are registered under. For your security, we will not be able to change your password unless you send an email from this account address.
    • Please write your login email address in the subject line of your message along with the word "password."

    Can I change my email address?

    No, you can't because it's your uniq identifier.

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    Messages

    All your incoming and outgoing messages can be found in your inbox, accessible from My Messages in the left menu

    How to send a message?

    You can either send a message while viewing someone's profile by clicking the link Send a Message under their profile picture. Please note that when asking for a host, we allow you to directly contact the host via the button "Host Request" under their profile picture.

    You can also select My Messages then click on Compose message. You just need to enter the addressee's details. The person you sent the message will be notified and will view it the next time they log in

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    Names

    Are there any name restrictions?

    Hostmedudes requires you to provide your full first and last name. Profanity is not permitted. Indeed, security is crucial to us, to dudettes and dudes and to you. You cannot ask for being a host while being registered under a fake name. Hostmedudes members need to know you before they welcome you in their homes. It is essential you enter your real names. Also, we will not process fakes or celebrity names. Dude, everyone knows that you're not Paris Hilton!

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    Photos

    Profile pictures

    Your profile picture is the photo of you which is displayed on your profile and next to your name in search results, references, photo comments, mails etc. An album of profile pictures can be seen by clicking on the View Photos link just underneath the photo picture.

    As safety is crucial to our community, we strongly encourage you to upload a photo of you so that the other members can identify you!

    There's a photo of me which I want to have removed:

    1. Simply click the "Delete photo" button.
    2. If you don't want the photo to be shown at all, please ask the person who posted it. They should be respectful enough to remove unwanted photos. Unfortunately, Hostmedudes CANNOT make people remove photos that do not violate our Terms & Conditions

    How can I report an offensive photo?

    You can report any photo that you feel is offensive (a link is provided underneath the image). Hostmedudes will take appropriate action and remove photos if necessary

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    Profile

    Your profile contains all the information about you that other dudes can see. Only your contact details are restricted: only your friends can view them.

    What can I include in my profile?

    • Basic Info: you can include here info such as your sex, your date birthday, your hometown, the languages you speak etc. It also includes crucial info such as your verification level, whether you have been vouched for or not and if you are part of our ambassadors community
    • Host Info: here you can find the info you provided regarding how many dudes you can host, a brief description of your place and the area you live in and photos
    • Contact Info: it includes all your contact details (emails, skype, phone numbers etc.). Please note that only your friends will have access to your contact details
    • Personal Info: here you can find info that will enable dudes to get to know you a little bit more. Info includes your activities, favourite music, TV shows, movies, books, quotes, personal philosophy etc.
    • Education & Work Info: it includes info regarding your university (which university are you or will be graduated from, which courses you studied etc.) and your job: what were your previous positions...
    • List of your fiends
    • Your trips: you can include here you next trips, the places you would like to visit and the ones you visited
    • Your travel diaries: it includes your travel journals
    • Your groups: it includes all groups you are part of
    • Your references: it includes all references other dudes left for you. Please note that you cannot delete any reference. But we enable you to report the reference so as we can take the appropriate actions

    How can I edit my profile?

    You can edit your profile from the Edit My Profile page.

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    Registration

    You need to register first before being able to enjoy the community's services and features.

    From the Registration page, just provide us with your full name, email address, birthday and desired password. After you complete the registration form, we will send an email to the address you provided. Clicking on the confirmation link will complete the registration process.

    When registering, please ensure to provide accurate information and to review the Terms of Use. Once you have created an account you will need to keep a safe record of your login and password.

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    Requests

    What kind of requests I can receive?

    You can receive mainly 5 types of requests:
    • A Host request
    • A Travel Buddy request
    • A Local Buddy request
    • A Friend request
    • A Group request

    Each time you are subject to a request, you will receive an email letting you know that a request was sent to you.

    When you log on, a requests summary will be displayed in the Home page. Just click on them to display them.

    How can I answer back requests?

    For the host, travel buddy and local buddy requests, you can answer back or ignore the email. For the friend request, you can either accept or reject this request. If you are invited to join a group, you can accept to join or decline. If you are requested to attend an event, you can notify whether you will attend, may attend or will not attend.

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    Safety System

    Hostmedudes has implemented several precautionary measures for the benefit of its members:
    • Every user is linked to the other dudettes and dudes through a solid network of friends, references (ambassador, vouched for...) and references. Indeed, you can check someone's reliability via their friend networks or via their references and references the other members left on their profiles
    • When you become someone's friend, you can view their contact details. So you can reach them via phone, MSN or Skype and get to know them before meeting up
    • Our vouching system reinforces the trust circle
    • We have our verification system
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    Search

    Hostmedudes search allows you to search for anything on the site, including dudes who are willing to host other dudes, travel buddies and local buddies.

    How can I search for a dude?

    On any page, you can do a quick search, just type in the dude's name in the box on the left and results will display.

    How can I search for a host, a travel buddy or a local buddy?

    In the vertical main menu, click on Search and select the tab. Then follow the instructions.

    What are the other searches I can do?

    In the Travel tips page, you can make research for any destination. Just type in the key words in the box.

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    References

    How can I write a reference?

    While viewing any of dudes' profiles, simply enter your text in the "Add References" box at the end of their profile, and then click on "Post" to display the testimonial. Your comment will appear on the dudes' profiles.

    Who can I write a reference?

    Once you met up with dudes, either as hosts, travel or local buddies, you can leave comments on their profile. We strongly encourage you to leave references so as to help the rest of the community to figure out how reliable the host is! Please note that you can only leave references for people you sincerely trust.

    Can I delete a reference?

    For safety purposes, you are not allowed to delete any testimonial. If you believe the comment left by a dude is totally unfair, please use the "Report" link.

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    Tips

    This page enables you to views all the best travel tips created by dudes, so as to make your next trip as pleasant as possible.

    How can I find a travel tip?

    From the Travel tips page, go to the Find Travel Tip page tab. There, select a country, enter the town you’re looking for, select the category and run search.

    How can I add a travel tip?

    To add a travel tip, you simply need to go to the Add Travel Tip tab. Then just follow the instructions.

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    Travel Buddy

    Travel buddies are dudettes and dudes who are eager to travel with you. Contact them and plan your trips together. You wanna visit India but you don't feel travelling alone: no problem, meet Dudes that may join and share exceptional experiences!

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    Travel diary

    In the Travel diary page, you can search for Dudes' diaries. You have always dreamt of travelling to South Africa or you recently went to Shanghai? View some travel diaries of dudes who went there and comment their trips!

    What is a Travel Diary?

    The Travel diary page is dedicated to Hostmedudes travellers across the world. It allows dudettes and dudes to update an online travel journal wherever you are to keep your friends posted: upload travel albums, relate fantastic stories, share exceptional experiences, tell about amazing friendships etc.

    How can I create a Travel Diary?

    You can only create a Travel Diary from the My Travel Diaries page. Select Add a New Travel Diary and follow the instructions.

    Can I leave commentaries on Dudes' diaries?

    While viewing any of dudes' travel diaries, simply enter your text in the "Add a Comment" link at the bottom of their diaries.

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    Trips

    The Trips page is designed so as you can update your travel diary or create a new one. You can also browse other Travel Diaries and start dreaming destinations.

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    Verification

    We are aware that safety in a number one priority for Hostmedudes members! That's why we've created the verification system. This process is completely optional and is for members who feel safer knowing that hosts, guests and travellers have been checked out to some degree.

    How does it work?

    First of all, make sure the email address you provided is valid.

    The verification process comprises three steps:

    1. Name Verification

    You can upload a copy of your passport so as we can check that the name you provided matches the name on your passport

    2. Address Verification

    To verify your home address, you can upload us evidence (gaz or electicity bill, rental receipt...) that proves you are living at the given address

    3. Status Verification

    If you are a student, you can upload us a copy of your school results, of your student card or of your degree.

    If you're not a student anymore, you can send documents that prove your professional status and even school transcripts when you were in student life.

    Each time you meet a step requirements, you will be added a + on your profile. Thus when are provided with ++ means that you have met 2 steps criteria so far.

    When you reach +++, you are 100% verified at this point!

    How can I do to get verified?

    From the Edit My Profile page, go to the safety tab. There you can upload the three documents necessary to get fully verified (100%). You can also send us an email directly using the address .

    What are the benefits of being verified?

    • Dudes might be more likely to host you, to welcome you or to travel with you knowing that you are a verified member
    • Your profile will come up higher in search results and will display the verification icon
    • Fellow Dudes will know that you have taken the extra step to help make Hostmedudes a more secure site as well as reinforcing the philosophy behind it
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    Vouching

    What is vouching?

    Vouching is a way for members to declare their trust in other members. It is always important to be cautious when you host dudes or are hosted, and the vouching system is designed to help foster and promote a safe network. However, this does not replace or nullify the need for each of us to use common sense and direct communication with potential hosts. Be sure to do your due diligence when choosing a potential host or guest and read their profile and references.

    How it works?

    The only way to become vouched for is to be extremely trusted by someone who has been vouched for by three other members. If you are a trusted friend, the vouched member can vouch for you. You must know each other in the real world. Once you have been vouched for three times, you can in turn vouch for members you sincerely believe to be trustworthy.

    To vouch for someone, simply go to the person's profile and click on the "Vouch For" button.

    How did it start?

    The first people to be vouched for are the Hostmedudes core team of Admins. They were able to vouch for people that they knew well and felt were trustworthy. From there it branched out into the community.

    How can I be vouched for if I am new to the community?

    You don't know any members just yet? Easy, become a host, a travel or local buddy with someone who is vouched, or just meet someone in your hometown who has been vouched for three times. After you meet and get to know, they can vouch for you.

    Still didn't find what you were looking for? Just send us