Today is May Day, but you wouldn't know it here in the United States. We are very scared of commies, so we eliminated May Day and made the first Monday in September Labor Day instead. Home exchangers, however, have a lot in common with early union organizers.
The union movement was founded by people who were not powerful or wealthy, but who found that banding together gave them strength. Love 'em or hate 'em, unions are responsible for our modern weekend break from work.
The home exchange community is part of the same sort of collective empowerment movement that led to unions. As individuals we have no choice but to accept the expensive and sub-par travel experience imparted by a hotel stay. But as a home exchange community we can use our resources to help our community members enjoy greater travel opportunities.
Union members have a responsibility to their co-workers not to cross a picket line and undermine the bargaining power of other workers. Home exchangers must also consider the greater good. If we leave a swap home in less than pristine condition, or fail to 'fess up after damaging our swap partners' property we damage the home exchange community as a whole. We have a responsibility to others to ensure our swap partners have a great experience exchanging with us. That way, they stay part of the home exchange world and introduce others to it, as opposed to scaring away new members with horror stories.
Home exchange isn't just a great way to travel, it is, or should be, an ethical responsibility. If this concept has resonates with you, give home exchange a try.
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