The New Sharing Concept

In case you haven’t noticed the biggest shift in society today has to do with sharing. Sharing – everything.

This sharing phenomenon continues to make inroads and grow.

My very brave neighbors, Rosalie and Tom, decided it was time for them to test the waters for themselves. They are not really computer savvy but their son, James, bought them a smartphone for their anniversary and they’re enjoying using it. They decided to jump in with all four feet and registered their profiles on Airbnb, then scouted a suite in San Francisco for one week. They also signed up for two shared dinners. When they bought their airline tickets they bought Internet round-trip tickets at a nicely reduced fare.

When they were packed and ready to leave for the airport they used the Uber app on their phone, Their Uber driver turned out to be a female neighbor who drove a Toyota Corolla – all shined up and loaded with cellphone charger, bottles of water, breath mints and individual packets of Kleenex. The fare was dirt cheap and the transaction is made with Uber by smartphone so no money changes hands. Their flight was fast and uneventful. After rounding up their single shared suitcase they called for Uber to take them to their destination – a lovely cottage up on Nob Hill. Rosalie and Tom were thrilled by the appearance of the place with picture windows and box planters at the entrance filled with pretty flowers. The living-dining room was nicely furnished and had a large flat-screen television set, comfortable furniture and cherry wood floors There was Internet access and a VO IP phone system, a new King-sized bed, large bathroom with two sinks and a new hot water heater had just been installed. Best of all -- a western view. A hand-written note on the foyer table explained that parking was available one block away. Rosalie and Tom were ecstatic.

Their week was filled with riding the cable cars, riding the bus to Fisherman’s Wharf, shopping in Union Square where they had a huge choice of stores: Neiman Marcus, Saks, Macy’s, Bloomindale’s and their favorite Nordstrom. They explored Chinatown bought bracelets for their daughters and granddaughters. They bought half-price tickets to two shows and generally walked their feet off enjoying every step. They took two boat rides and one city tour. Their shared dinner experiences were treasured ones. A local professor and his social-worker wife opened their dining room to Rosalie and Tom. They began with a choice of beer, red wine or white. There was a tray of crudités - fresh carrot sticks, celery and olives. The sit-down dinner began with clam chowder, a tossed green salad, warm sliced baguette of bread, a baked halibut or roast chicken served with baked restuffed potatoes and green beans. Dessert was a homemade peach pie a la mode. Rosalie and Tom were impressed and promised to stay in touch with the host couple. As a token, Rosalie and Tom brought their hosts a book of poetry.

The second dining experience was more of a comedy. Their hosts were a gay couple serving a meal in their apartment in Chinatown. Apparently this host couple had recorded their shared dinner for another night. Rosalie and Tom showed their confirmation and the couple were terribly embarrassed about the mix up. The two men rushed to open some wine and one of them ran down the street for takeout. Still it was a fun experience with lots of laughs and ending with promises to keep in touch. Rosalie and Tom gifted them with a bottle of Brany.

When their week came to an end, they got an Uber ride back to the airport where they bought a big loaf of sour dough bread. A different Uber driver drove them home from Burbank airport to Studio City Rosalie and Tom figure they saved quite a bit of money and can’t wait to try it again. They have become such sharing enthusiasts that they’re renovating a guest house on their property in the hopes of joining the property listing rental site on Airbnb.

Note: If you would like to register your room, apartment, villa, castle or yacht go to the Airbnb website to register all the details about your rental – whether it is suitable for a single person, couple or family. Price range, size of rooms, type of beds, all amenities and language spoken. If you’re a traveler, register on Airbnb with your profile and you’ll be permitted to access the website to find your rental.