The trust that Europeans have on people is amazing! When I was in Europe last year, I easily rented a place based on the "promise" I would pay once I arrived. It was never a problem. Later, the guy who lived downstairs lent me his bike for free for 1 month, although he was abroad, we had never met each other, and we had no mutual friends. This week, the family of the girl who I'm renting the house picked me up at the airport in Brussels to bring me to Antwerp, just because my flight got canceled and I had a long day. I said they really didn't need to do this, but they insisted (fyi: I had already paid everything). In March, a friend of mine is asking if I want to stay in her place in Brussels for free (for the whole month!) while she is traveling! She is an incredible friend of mine, but still... none of that is normal.. none of that should be taken for granted.
In Latin America, these situations would not happen (especially in big cities) due to violence. People are always afraid of crime and to do things like that would be even unsafe. In the US, violence could play a role, but I think the bigger issue would be money. How much is this random guy paying me to rent my bike? Why should I pick up the renter of my daughter's apartment in another city for free?
In Latin America, these situations would not happen (especially in big cities) due to violence. People are always afraid of crime and to do things like that would be even unsafe. In the US, violence could play a role, but I think the bigger issue would be money. How much is this random guy paying me to rent my bike? Why should I pick up the renter of my daughter's apartment in another city for free?