Why a blog about hospitality?
By Madame Blake | March 15, 2009
That is a fair enough question. I suppose some might say that I am a woman caught between differing eras and cultures. I grew up in a home that had a slower than average pace, where people worked hard, and where manners were keenly observed, and hospitality was practiced at all times - even when it was inconvenient; perhaps especially when it was inconvenient. I learned a great deal about myself and my relationship with others and the world around me through the hospitality and civility practiced in our home.
As I got older and began having intimate relationships of my own, I observed that being given to hospitality was a rather rare personality trait; perhaps even a ‘yoke’ that many women and men were going to great lengths to get themselves free from, a “leftover burden from bygone days dominated by the male patriarchy.” Traditionally, most hospitality and work in the home and in the primary relationship was left to the woman, wife, and homemaker - call her whatever works for you. Today, in many circles it is an abomination to admit to enjoying entertaining, hospitality, homemaking, or any similar thing. Many people will go to great lengths to banish these traits from their personality, or their natural tendency towards them. Some even joke and say things like, “Oh that is so Martha Stewart!”, “Who do you think you are? Donna Reed”, “Look out, it’s Betty Crocker!” The stereotypes and the demeaning slams are nearly endless.
But I say, “Who cares?” As a liberated woman, I prefer a home that is ripe with civility, where hospitality is practiced, and where everyone who enters feels that they are worthwhile and cherished.
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