Definition
The art of welcoming the foreigner or visitor by offering him security, attention and place, without removing the host's boundaries.
Hospitality can take the form of a meal, shelter, orientation or listening. It does not require making its private space available without limits or exposing itself to danger.
To be retained
- Welcome without owning
- Clarify boundaries
- Respecting Food and Religious Needs
- Let the guest maintain his autonomy
Origin of the term and context
Hospitality and host come from the Latin hospes, a word that designates both the receiving and the receiving. This reciprocity reminds us that roles can be reversed.
Why does it matter?
The reception reduces isolation and makes it possible to exchange between groups. Its quality depends on safety, consent and ability not to turn the guest into an object of gratitude.
- Welcome without owning
- Clarify boundaries
- Respecting Food and Religious Needs
- Let the guest maintain his autonomy
How can it be explored or practised?
- Invite an isolated person to a simple meal
- Learn to correctly pronounce your name
- Explain the uses of a place without humiliating
- Provide for the possibility of withdrawal or refusal
Misconceptions and points of caution
- The reception must not create a debt.
- Generousness does not justify control.
- The security of everyone remains a priority.
Perspectives from different traditions
- Islam: hospitality and protection of the traveller.
- Christianity: welcome from abroad and monastic tradition.
- Sikhism: langar, open community meal.
To go further
- Hospitality — Jacques Derrida and Anne Dufourmantelle
- The Gift of the Stranger — David Smith