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Original poster

Is this an internationally recognised sign of welcoming / caring?

17 replies

Miyuki · 31/07/2021 10:59

Offering a warm meal to someone?

Trying to work out if there's any cultures where this would be seen as negative.

OP posts:
SquirryTheSquirrel · 31/07/2021 11:05

I can't think of any cultures that would see it as negative.

In some religions, it's a routine act of faith to offer food to all comers- e.g. a meal is available at certain times in a Sikh Gurdwara.

I'm not religious but I think that's one of the better things about religion - the acts of charity and hospitality that it inspires.

AlexaShutUp · 31/07/2021 11:06

I think offering food in general is seen as a sign of hospitality and welcome.

I have spent time in many very different cultures. In my experience, genuine warmth and kindness usually translates across all cultural boundaries.

I was moved to tears by a wonderful story on radio 4 this morning about an Iraqi refugee who received the gift of a bicycle from a Dutch support worker when she was 5 years old. It meant so much to her that she went back to find him nearly 30 years later!

Original poster
Miyuki · 31/07/2021 11:42

Thanks - it's for a job application I am currently working on and I couldn't think of one off the top of my head. Working internationally I think there isn't a single country I've been where I haven't been offered a drink or a warm meal as a welcome.

OP posts:
SquirryTheSquirrel · 31/07/2021 11:44

Good luck with your application!

senua · 31/07/2021 11:49

Trying to work out if there's any cultures where this would be seen as negative.
I think the concept is fine but the detail could be negative eg offering pork or beef to certain religions or vegetarian/vegans.

GlutenFreeGingerCake · 31/07/2021 11:51

I don't know I'm pretty sure there are some people on MN who would hate this in the same way they hate opening their door to a stranger or people at work who bring in cakes.

senua · 31/07/2021 11:57

If you want an "internationally recognised sign of welcome", wouldn't "a smile" fit the bill?

SimonJT · 31/07/2021 11:59

@senua

If you want an "internationally recognised sign of welcome", wouldn't "a smile" fit the bill?
No, facial expressions aren’t universal.
senua · 31/07/2021 12:01

Who doesn't smile?

SimonJT · 31/07/2021 12:02

@Miyuki

Offering a warm meal to someone?

Trying to work out if there's any cultures where this would be seen as negative.

It depends on the context.

A business scenario then a meal would be odd, unless you meet in a restaurant, a social event where someone is staying in your home then food would be suitable in most places.

SimonJT · 31/07/2021 12:07

@senua

Who doesn't smile?
Lots of people, unless they want to seem dishonest, rude or show that they’re suffering pain.
senua · 31/07/2021 12:14

Lots of people
Gosh, that was helpful.Hmm
Luckily, I have since googled an article so you don't need to bother replying further, unless you can think of something useful to contribute rather than just knocking the suggestions so far.

Cottonheadedninymuggins · 31/07/2021 12:20

Could depend if they were in the middle of Ramadan too I guess?

senua · 31/07/2021 12:30

@Cottonheadedninymuggins

Could depend if they were in the middle of Ramadan too I guess?
I think that the important thing is the offer of sustenance so you could say "I would offer but I know that ..." On a similar basis, we find it incredibly rude when some cultures try to force sustenance on us (because if we decline then we are dishonouring them, their honour being more important than our disgust at their local "delicacy" apparently).
Hoppinggreen · 31/07/2021 12:32

I don’t think it has to be a warm meal, just an offer of food and drink

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 31/07/2021 12:42

Hmmm. Maybe the offering of a meal is universally welcomed but then you’d have the mine field of considering exactly who it is you’re offering to. So, is it kosher? Is it halal? Is it Ramadan, have you got your timing right? Have you offered a root vegetable to a Jain? Or beef to a Hindu? Did you serve alcohol to a Muslim - or refuse to drink vodka with a Russian. Have you served finger food to someone whose culture is strictly utensil using or offered cutlery to someone whose culture always eats with their hands? Are you audibly shocked where your Japanese guest loudly slurps noodles from the bowl etc etc. So the offering might be good but you’d have to have done your research regarding the fine details.

Hipt · 31/07/2021 12:52

Agree with the possibilities of Ramadan, or food that doesn't fit culturally (i would find it hard to think of a sing meal that would be acceptable to every single culture as dietary restrictions conflict)

In some cultures it can also be seen as a bit patronising, for example in cultures where there's a strong "xyz" is in charge of feeding the family then offering food in some contexts such as bringing food to the door, or offering to prep food outside of a communal meal might make people feel you are inferring they can't cook for the family or aren't doing it well enough. It can also simply be that persons role in the family which they enjoym

I had a work colleague who was horrified by the idea of people bringing round things like lasagnes after a baby because in her culture it felt like people were judging her ability to cope and provide for her family.

I wonder if the point is there are few universal things that everyone appreciates and likes so there is no one thing everyone would want

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