A writer friend, who enjoys traveling solo, says she prefers staying at B & B style inns rather than hotels when she goes to Great Britain. There is such a huge difference even though hotels also extend courtesy and consideration.
She said, “It is usually like having your Aunt Millie inviting you to stay with her. This would be the aunt who never had children of her own, so she could never do enough to make you feel at home.”
One time she stayed in the popular, small, ancient town, Hay-on-Wye, that sits on a river separating England and Wales. “That night the host sat on the chintz covered sofa in the living room. The carpet that covered the floor in this 800 year old house was a plush, deep, cobalt blue. I sank into when I stepped in.” she continued.
The host brought out his guitar inviting the three guests from the States, all strangers to each other, to sing along. His teenage son drifted in and joined them. The next morning there were two more strangers at the large dining table. They were brothers-in-law who arrived late the night before after being out for a day long, 20 mile walk.
Hospitality flowed easily during her short stay and was capped by a breakfast experience around that dining table that made my friend want to exchange addresses. She felt wanted, protected, and comfortable, as if this was her home. She did not feel like a paying guest. It seemed this hospitality came naturally from her hosts. But I know it is a talent that can be learned. Kind Dining® was built to teach your food servers how to extend this hospitality naturally to your community’s residents. They will do this by being hospitable because they want to be, not by acting with a false hospitality.
This talent of hospitality can be the same in your community dining room where newcomers are strangers who are seeking a welcome feeling at the table in their new home. Your servers can learn the skill of my friend’s host who created warmth around the table atmosphere. She was 3,000 miles away and felt that homey feeling!
Our B♥ Kind® Tip: Do Your Servers Exude Hospitality?