In praise of hospitality - and Iran

[dellzeqq]

JJ

so - are you saying that if a country is downtrodden (a word that can cover a multitude of sins) the people will be more open to strangers, when those strangers arrive in their midst?

 

[chillyuk]

On Tuesday night I am staying in John O'Groats. I was going to camp but in view of the weather forecast decided on bed and breakfast. I have booked into a guest house. he doesn't do evening meals but recommended somehere which is about 400 yards away. He has told me to get the restaurant to call him when I am ready and he will come and collect me. Although I can manage 400 yards on foot I thought it a great offer.

 

[jonny jeez]

JJ

so - are you saying that if a country is downtrodden (a word that can cover a multitude of sins) the people will be more open to strangers, when those strangers arrive in their midst?

No dell...I'm saying that we are all fearful of strangers...or perhaps "others", until we take the time (or make the effort) to get to know them as humans, then its surprising just how similar we all are....until we move to the next village.

As a side note I understand that many cultures that exist in areas that have large barren and hostile environments are driven to offer hospitality as a means of survival. I suspect, over centuries of developing this as this tradition, many middle eastern cultures still practise it as a way of life today, even though it may no longer be as relevant as it once was.