The word ‘hospitality’ derives from the Latin ‘hostis’ which means both ‘stranger’ and ‘enemy’ but it can refer to ‘host’ or ‘guest’ as well. The term ‘host’ can be literally read as ‘lord of strangers’. Some cultures and subcultures, e.g. Poland, south of the United States are known for exhibiting particular hospitality. Today in the shopping center ‘Forum’ in Gliwice housewives from The Farmer’s Wives’ Association Gierałtowice have treated customers to Polish Wheel Cake (yeast – raised filled cake, in Polish ‘Kołocz’). That is a perfect example of real hospitality !
In the Homeric ages, hospitality was under the protection of Zeus, the chief deity of the Greek pantheon. Zeus was also attributed with the title ‘Xenios Zeus’ (‘xenos’ means stranger), emphasizing the fact that hospitality was of the utmost importance. In ancient Middle Eastern, Greek and Roman cultures, hospitality had a code that demanded specific kinds of conduct from both guests and hosts. For example a stranger passing outside a Greek house could be invited inside the house by the family. The host washed the stranger’s feet, offered food and wine, and only after the guest was comfortable could ask his or her name. The host washed the stranger’s feet, offered food and wine, and only after the guest was comfortable could ask his or her name. The ancient hospitality emphasized on two basic elements : protection and guidance. So at that times hospitality was about equalizing guest, visitor or stranger to the host, making him feel protected and taken care of, and at the end of his hosting, guiding him to his next destination. In many ways, these standards of behavior survived into the present day, especially in the East, e.g. in Mongolia. In the West, hospitality is rather uderstood as the friendly and genereous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, and strangers so it is rather associated with etiquette and entertainment. However, it still involves showing respect for one’s guests, providing for their needs, and treating them as equals. Cultures and subcultures vary in the extent to which one is expected to show hospitality to strangers, as opposed to personal friends or members of one’s in – group. In business relations rules of hospitality are a part of organizational culture so they vary not only across national borders. Some cultures and subcultures, e.g. Poland, south of the United States are known for exhibiting particular hospitality. The idea of hospitality comprises features as, e.g. : being courteous, reserved, mild mannered, a polite friendliness, an aversion to confrontation, a tendency toward understatement, a disinclination to make a fuss or stand out, emotional restraint, and self – deprecation, slowing down to allow another driver to enter a lane, calling one “Sir” or “Madam,” opening doors for women as well as men removing their hats when in the presence of a woman or inside her house, cooking enough for everyone who might be around at mealtime, etc.
Maya Kowalczyk