You're Welcome—or Are You?

The organization Discover America has been undertaking some research on the openness of Americans to those who are new, strangers, foreigners or aliens.

This study has been undertaken because the U.S. entry process has created a climate of fear and frustration that is turning away foreign business and leisure travelers from visiting the United States – and damaging America’s image abroad.

The research, conducted by independent polling firm RT Strategies, and based upon a survey of more than 2,000 travelers worldwide, sought to gauge traveler perceptions of the U.S. visa and entry process, and how opinions of America differ among those that have and have not visited the U.S.

Among the study’s key findings:

* The U.S. entry process is considered the “world’s worst” by travelers.
* Travelers rate America’s entry process as the “world’s worst” by greater than a 2:1 margin over the next-worst destination area.
* 54 percent of international travelers say that immigration officials are rude.
* Travelers to the U.S. are more afraid of U.S. government officials than the threat of terrorism or crime.
* Two-thirds of travelers surveyed fear they will be detained at the border because of a simple mistake or misstatement.

Unfortunately, perceptions of a ‘rude’ and ‘arrogant’ entry process are turning away travelers and harming America’s image.”

The study revealed that, by deterring visitors, the U.S. is missing an enormous economic and diplomatic opportunity. The good news is:

* Those that have visited the U.S. and interacted with the American people are 74 percent more likely to have an extremely favorable opinion of the U.S.
* 63 percent of travelers feel more favorable towards the U.S. as a result of their visit.
* 61 percent agree that, once a person visits the U.S., they become friendlier towards the country and its policies.

The report concluded that minor changes in the U.S. treatment of foreign business and leisure travelers would yield substantial gains

It is easy to understand the need for greater vigilance in the U.S. following the terrorist attacks several years ago but heightened security does not necessarily need to be accompanied by rudeness and unfriendliness.

In many religions, the attitude towards the foreigner is a key litmus test for identifying genuine goodness.

Zooming our focus down from the airport to the home and from an international survey to a personal reflection it is important to think of the level of hospitality we extend, especially to those of another culture.

Geoff Pound

Image: A welcome mat with mixed messages.

'Come, Buy Wine and Milk Without Money and Without Price.'

Can you imagine going to a restaurant where there are no prices listed on the menu?

What about an eating establishment that has a sign that reads: “Pay what you can afford?”

A café of this variety has been operating by Libby and Brad Birky in Los Angeles, for the last six months. This is a SAME eatery meaning: So All May Eat.

Unlike a soup kitchen where the hungry are rounded up and publicly identified, this is a restaurant with tables open to all without distinction.

The No Price policy means those who have more wealth can pay for those who have little or none. Those who choose may go to the kitchen to dice onions or wash the dishes or volunteer to serve at the tables.

Although feeding the body is an essential factor for Libby and Brad, the open table beams out the message that everyone is valuable, thus providing nurture for the person’s wellbeing.

Read more of Stephanie Simon’s interesting article to discover why this couple got into this caper and what draws customers to the tables of this little café.

Source: Stephanie Simon, ‘Where the table is open to all’, LA Times, 16 April 2007.

Geoff Pound

Image: ‘Open to all.’

Three Chairs for Hospitality!

Further to his theme of Generous Hospitality, David Enticott offers this story that recognizes the inclusive nature of a hearty welcome:

Back in 1845 an American writer decided to devote himself to practising an inclusive brand of hospitality. He took an axe and built a small wooden hut on the shores of a pond in Massachusetts. Henry David Thoreau wanted to discover what really mattered in life. He lived simply, cultivated some crops and received anyone who came to stay with him, regardless of their position in society.

Thoreau kept a journal of experiences that later became a famous book called Walden. In it, he wrote these words:

“I think that I love society as much as most. I am naturally no hermit and so I had three wooden chairs in my house: the first for solitude, the second for friendship and the third for strangers.

Whoever came, here in my small house- OUR SENTENCES COULD UNFOLD INTO SOMETHING MUCH LARGER.

I had many cheering visitors during my stay. Children came a-berrying, railroad men took their Sunday walk in clean shirts, fishermen and hunters, poets and philosophers; in short all honest pilgrims, who came out to the woods for freedoms sake!”

Source: David Enticott, Sermon, Whitley College Chapel, 26 February, 2007.

Image: Picture of Walden Pond, surrounded by the woods outside Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau described Walden Pond as "blue at one time and green at another, even from the same point of view. Lying between the earth and the heavens, it partakes of the colour of both."

Generous Hospitality

In an address to seminary students about the essence of welcome and hospitality, David Enticott shares this experience of lavish hospitality:

Two years ago I found myself travelling on my own in the Scottish highlands in a small country town called Fort William.

After driving around the confusing one way streets, trying to find my accommodation, I parked at the right house after about 15 minutes of looking. There were some kids fighting out the front. The place seemed anything but hospitable.

When I knocked on the door no one answered, but after a minute or two a lady came from next door said: “Albert is on his way, he will open up for you.” In a few minutes Albert came. He showed me to my room.

Later that night we got talking. Albert said that his wife had passed away ten years ago. He kept the bed and breakfast going as a way to meet people, rather than to make money. Albert was a Catholic- he spoke about having craic (fun) with his priest and gave his secret for a long life- which he said was laughter. I shared with Albert that I was a Baptist minister back home.

The next morning when I went to pay the bill, he said that he would not accept anything more than ten pounds. He called it: THE CLERGY SPECIAL. Ten pounds would barely have covered the cost of the breakfast that he gave me—black and white pudding, sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, potatoes, a pancake and an assortment of toast, cereal and orange juice. The plate was full right to the edge.

Here was a 75 year old Scot making me feel at home. Albert held nothing back. His welcome was generous......

For generosity is always at the heart of any good welcome.

Source: David Enticott, Sermon, Whitley College Chapel, 27 February, 2007.

Image: Picture of Loch Linnhe by Fort William, Scotland