Greetings from Around the World

Cheers! Bonjour! Bongiorno!

Hospitality refers to the relationship process between a guest and a host, and it also refers to the act or practice of being hospitable, that is, the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, with liberality and goodwill.

The topic of American Hospitality vs European Hospitality is brought up regularly enough for most of us to have an opinion on the subject. Whether you agree with the stereotype that most Europeans are rude or that all Americans are arrogant, it is still only a stereotype, right?
Ask yourself how many other stereotypes that you know NOT to be true.

My direct experience has led me to the conclusion that it's all about mutual respect. A little humility goes a long way in most cultures and as an individual you can only directly influence those that you come in contact with.

What most of us don't realize is that you CAN potentially indirectly affect (good or bad), everyone that they come in contact with depending on their experience. Changing an opinion of any adult is difficult especially when there are so many variables involved but if you don't even try then you're just adding to the problem. Is it better to solidify the stereotype by not even trying, or give someone a reason to think twice about what they currently believe and how they came to that conclusion to begin with.

As far as my personal experience is concerned, I'll put it to you like this: I Bonjoured and bongiorno-ed my mouth dry when I was in France and Italy and never had a problem with anyone being curt. When Ash and I went to Brooklyn, I tried to acknowledge two or three people and I was ignored flatly. Brooklyn might be a bad example, and as far as reciprocal hospitality is concerned it's all hit and miss.

At the end of the day it comes down to two variables; your upbringing (either it was an advantage to your prospective or an obstacle), and the current standards that you hold yourself to?