To ask if you would leave a stranger you met over the internet alone in your house?

[ForeignnessAlert]

So would you? Would you allow a stranger you know only from over the internet to come to your house and would you then leave them alone there?

*theirs

I'd never leave tradesmen in my house, unless I absolutely had to or I'd used them for so long that I trusted them. I've always taken time off work to be here for them or had a family member stay. Of course that isn't always feasible especially with very large ongoing projects but I don't feel comfortable with leaving them in my home, more so because of the dogs. That said I have workmen in the house just now and I knew one of them from school and I think I'd be fine with leaving him in the house but anyone else, no.

I would.
I have this...

Yes, depending on the context, likewise with trades people.

I had a neighbour once said she thought I was very naive doing this. I said I thought most people in the world are nice, honest, good people and I'm constantly proven right in thinking this. Besides, even if I'm wrong, I would much rather go through life believing people are generally trustworthy and kind than take the opposite view of strangers.

It's a no from me.

What's a tradesman going to do? Steal what? Mend your toilet, but duck into your hidden jewellery box and nick your mother's pearl earrings? Yes some unscrupulous ones do. Most don't.

House extensions. Kitchen fitters. Takes months. Few of us can take all that time off. At certain points, most of us need to go to work.

Tradesmen yes I have, although a family member had some very valuable jewellery stolen (from a locked safe) during a major house renovation and there was nothing police could prove as so many tradesmen had been in and out during the work. I'm more cautious now and hide valuables but still let them stay unattended

I've stayed in AirBnB as a guest in someone's home but never hosted

Honestly in my experience there are fewer honest people about than you'd think. I worked in care for a while and though most carers are decent people the number of people I've learned of who did something I thought that they'd never do e.g financial abuse of their client and worse is staggering. People you would have thought the most honest person in the world.

A split, not what I was expecting! It seems totally alien to me. And I don't understand the concept of AirBnB!

I've never had extended work done, but the days I couldn't be there either MIL or FIL came over because MIL was horrified at the idea of leaving someone alone.

It's in the context of babysitting. Someone on a local site posted a link to a website where anyone can register a "babysitter" and you contact them to come and look after your kids. I was a bit that not only would you let a complete stranger into your house, but that you'd also leave them in charge of your DC!

AprilShowers... I’m a stranger, please can I come sit with your dog 😍

people are always advertising babysitting services on facebook I wouldnt do it personally but its pretty common.

You mean sitters? They are dbs checked etc.

I am on a babysitting site. I have gone to houses, met dc, dps gone out in minutes. Dps came home, paid me, I left. Can't imagine doing it myself but fine to some!!

a website where anyone can register a "babysitter" and you contact them to come and look after your kids

But that's a completely different question to what you asked.

In answer to your actual question, I'm with @KenDodd.

Not really.
Leaving a stranger you meet over the internet alone in your house.
Leaving a stranger you meet over the internet alone in your house looking after your DC.

I can't understand anyone wanting to do either, the second is giving a stranger responsibility for your kids on top. And I was wondering if I was strange!

I do on call emergency childcare, like when your usually nanny gets flu, or power outrage closed the day care and all kids must be picked up type thing.
I meet people once to interview them , and their child, to add to my roster.
After that, they call when needed.
I am being alone with their children, their pets and in their house, when they have known me only hours. I drive people's cars to go pick up their children, and am trusted to have copies of the access codes to their houses.
I do have background checks, drivers abstract and that on myself for clients to verify but still, I am just a stranger on the internet.

I read somewhere that 80% of people are fundamentally honest and could be relied upon to do the right thing. 18% would be tempted to do something dishonest if they thought they would get away with it, but recognise the risks are too high. 2% steal / lie / cheat / fraud / whatever

OP, The answer to your question depends on the circumstances

Electrician? Yes.
First date? No.
Babysitter recruited through the Internet? No I wouldn't do that anyway, but more for concerns about safety of the children rather than worrying that they would steal my jewellery

Surely there is a difference between

a stranger you MET over the internet
and someone you SOURCED over the internet to do a specific job

The second presumably has been checked, referenced etc and has accountability and you know who it is

Your initial post sounds as if you mean the former?

The second presumably has been checked, referenced etc and has accountability and you know who it is

No, as far as I can see it there are no checks, references and no way of telling who the person really is.

The aim of the service is merely to match supply and demand in the area of childcare and babysitting. (Website) does not control the quality and characteristics of users. (Website) also bears no responsibility for the qualities and characteristics of users and is not liable for any damage caused by advertisements or selected candidates.

From the terms and conditions. Also no form of check is required to set up an account to advertise yourself as a babysitter. I just tried it.

Babysitter recruited through the Internet? No I wouldn't do that anyway, but more for concerns about safety of the children rather than worrying that they would steal my jewellery
Nor would I. That's why I wanted to gauge my reaction because to me looking after the DC is one step further than being alone in my house. I wouldn't be happy with someone e.g. without a basic knowledge of first aid looking after the DC.

Loads of people use online emergency babysitting services.

I've never needed to. But I would of, if I'd needed to.

Or maybe you never plan to leave your baby, child with anyone? Are you going to go to work? Nursery? What about when they go to school.

What risks are you afraid of?

Maybe you need to go and see your GP. For help with anxiety?

Or maybe you never plan to leave your baby, child with anyone? Are you going to go to work? Nursery? What about when they go to school.

Been left with IL's, friends. Nursery (I assume) has qualified and background-checked staff, as do school.

Definitely not and the first thing that came into my head was this www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2558706/amp/Boy-4-murdered-slept-bed-psychopath-lived-door-Childs-kind-mother-stepfather-let-former-soldier-stay-home-taking-pity-him.html

Horrific and one of those things I will never forget.

You mean like house swap on holidays ?

I've had friends who have done it with no problems. But its a two way trust isnt it, you're in their house and they are in yours.

Yes I would.

Bot people are not out to do you harm you know. Most people are good, normal, honest people.

I have got cat/house sitters off the internet (strangers) who I have left with my house and cat whilst I go on holiday. After meeting them and checking out their reviews.

I would leave a tradesperson alone in the house as well.

My cleaner of 6 years was a stranger to start with, left her alone the second time given I have to go to work.