Live from Portuges - Donativo seems to mean free for most

[Lucy Keenan]

I left a donativo hostel this am. There were 12 of us. There was 16 euros in the donativo box which meant only 2 or 3 paid.
I have met the other pilgrims along the way, and they can all afford something.
I shouldn't be pissed off about this but it doesn't seem fair to the good people making our stay possible

 

[nidarosa]

Yes I think you should be. And I think you should tell your fellow pilgrims (but in a non-angry-ranty way) that some people seem to think donativo means free, which it doesn't, and help spread the word that it's not acceptable. I once heard two pilgrims *boasting* that they'd 'made it out of' Gaucelmo in Rabanal without paying, and I also heard their fellow pilgrims tearing into them for it. Very satisfying.

 

[Bradypus]

Sadly not an unusual story. Many people seem to believe that being a pilgrim means that they are entitled to free accommodation and other privileges.

 

[Bala]

You could "casually" mention that whatever comforts you received at the donativo (food, clean blankets, wifi, hot running water...) were only possible because of the donations from pilgrims who stayed the night before. And whatever was left when your group stayed, will have to do for the ones tonight. And if the albergue seemed lacking in amenities, maybe lack of donations is why.

Of course, some people take pride in being freeloaders. I think you have every right to be angry with them.

 

[Derrybiketours]

I agree but it shouldn't be your baggage to carry. These individuals will receive their kharma in the fullness of time. I think this is simply a reflection of the western society we now live in, whereby society has become more self centered, selfish and expect something for nothing. My hope is that other Pilgrims who can afford to have overcompensated for their stay to cover the cost but 16 euro is better than nothing and at least it was given with good intentions. Maybe there ought to be an additional sign in these Donation Albergue that recommend a minimum contribution explaining a little about what it contributes towards. In my experience those who have it, do so because they try to hold on to it, whereas those who can least afford to give it away do so with a open heart and never regret their decision as they have discovered the Camino secret

 

[brian560]

I stayed in a donativo in Freixo (sic) in the hills before Vigo where we paid 5 euro up front and the rest was donativo. The evening meal had to be paid for in advance. Seemed fair to me.

 

[Paladina]

Older pilgrims might recall the policies of youth hostels half a century ago. In addition to paying the price of a straw mattress and a cold shower, the backpacker was required to complete an assigned task before s/he was permitted to leave in the morning. Perhaps those unable or unwilling to pay for the privilege of staying in a ‘donativo’ should be given the opportunity to contribute to the maintenance of the albergue by remaining behind to clean the premises after the paying guests have left.

 

[BruceNZ]

Yes perhaps in this day and age the albergues need to change their signs " We rely on donativo to offer the facilities you have enjoyed. We thank you for your support". As Derrybiketours says - some people 'just don't get it' these days.

 

[henrythedog]

Personally I’ve never been comfortable with the concept. For accommodation, I’ve no issue dropping 15-20 in the box. It costs that much to pitch a tent for a night on a campsite in the part of England I’m from.

When I come across a drinks stand I always seem to pay twice the going rate for the goods. I’m sure many retailers are genuine, but the exhortation to ‘pay what you think it’s worth’ is unnecessary complication in my opinion. There’s nothing wrong with a fair price list.

Of course, I’m sure there are plenty of clients who aim low when I aim high.

There are some genuine impecunious pilgrims, but there are rather more free loaders in my opinion.

 

[Deleted member 59555]

Yes perhaps in this day and age the albergues need to change their signs " We rely on donativo to offer the facilities you have enjoyed. We thank you for your support". As Derrybiketours says - some people 'just don't get it' these days.

Wellcome Bruce what part oh NZ are you from

 

[debra]

I am also in favor of a fair price list, yes the albergue will miss out on the rare large donation but i as a user will know if my donation was fair.

ON the via francigena I stay at a donation based room at a convent in from rooms in the morning all pilgrims show up for breakfast and we did ask in any had seen the donation box. None had so after all had written in their pilgrims log we left donations in the book, range from 5-20 euro per person. One of the people was upset with the other for the 5 euro donation, as I was on a bike I din't stay to see how that ended but a price would have freed all of us from having to ask the question of how much. On that pilgrimage I left 5-10 euros a night based on if i had a ten or five at donation based housing which was a lot of places stayed.

 

[Deleted member 397]

I think that for English sp eakers donativo=donation which has the connotation of being voluntary

 

[Barbara]

I've stayed in a lot of private homes on the Vézelay route in France. Lodged, fed, and watered. Once or twice my clothes washed. People doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. Is sometimes been hard to convince them to take anything at all. Often I've written a cheque and told them to post it to their favourite charity.
It's actually quite a delicate balancing act, not wanting to offend a kind and generous person but not wanting them to suffer financially.
This question doesn't arise in a donation albergue. Is easy. Donate what you can. Don't just leave what's left after you have bought your wine, think about maintenance, hot water, heating and cleaning. If you are financially comfortable, think about leaving enough to cover the genuinely poor person. Don't ask others to give if you don't do it yourself. Actually, don't ask anyone to give. What they leave is between them and their conscience. Theirs, not yours. Yours should dictate what you give.

 

[David Tallan]

My general thoughts on donativos are:
1) Offer at minimum, if possible, enough for yourself. If you think charity is a virtue and a good thing and you can, offer more towards someone who cannot offer enough.
2) When thinking "what is enough for myself?", think not what is needed to cover what you have received but rather enough to cover what you would like to see pilgrims receive. These are not "for profit" enterprises. Any extra will go to future pilgrims. If you receive little, it is probably because past pilgrims offered little. Offering little yourself in response will just perpetuate that and may help to send it on a downward spiral. If you received little and want pilgrims to receive more - offer more. Then the albergue will have the wherewithal to provide it.

 

[domigee]

I give what I would have to pay in a ‘paying’ albergue: minimum €10 for a bed and shower plus €10 if a meal is provided. In the few outstanding ones I stayed in (especially the Parish ostellos in Italy) I leave a bit more especially if breakfast is included.
All this said, it is easy now because I have been walking Caminos every year since...2012. The first time, I didn’t have a clue what to give and was very thankful the first hospitalero I came across gave me an idea...