I preferred events because it created a space for local likeminded people to meet up regularly, welcome visitors, and exchange information. I had no luck with hangouts because I found a lot of people using that feature were basically just trying to get a date. This was evidenced by people leaving a hangout if there were more than two people in it, or sometimes ignoring the hangout as soon as suggesting to do something in a group. I think this is a really interesting topic.
Some Hangouts users swear by them, and some Event organisers say Hangouts ruin their Events. I like the concept of Hangouts, but people were kinda flaky on them. I had more luck messaging people who had public trips listed and also other travelers who messaged me via my public trip message.
I feel like the Hangouts feature needs a bit more thought and research put into it before debuting again. Not to mention debugging! To avoid abuse or people trying to use the feature as a misguided dating tool, I would use some form of mechanism design based on ratings and reviews that one cannot create happenings if their rating drops down below a certain level… I think this type of mechanism needs appropriate work and attention as it most likely will be useful for several other occasions on the platform.
Hangouts are great because you can find people who are keen to hang out immediately no need to plan ahead as traveling can be so unpredictable and so less flaky , and you find fellow travellers who are also alone and want to make friends! Yes the dating thing was definitely a problem… but I got around this by only meeting with other girls who were equally relieved to find a fellow female amongst the majority of male users , although I also had a couple of successes meeting with genuine guys!
Its also nice to have gotten to know someone you met with one-on-one earlier that you can go to the event with, if you are a bit shyer like me it made everything way more comfortable and fun. As far as events and hangouts worked on couchsurfing, I waayyyyy preferred events.
