What kind of welcome would you extend to a foreign visitor to your country?
By katerina
@thea09 (18305)
Greece
July 14, 2009 8:08am CST
Would you extend a warm welcome to a foreign visitor in your area? What kind of meal would you prepare or offer at a local eating spot, would you introduce your friends, have you a traditional welcome? Language should not be a barrier I presume when hospitality is extended.
4 people like this
5 responses
@rainmark (4302)
•
14 Jul 09
I pressume too that language is not barrier coz most of the people can speak and understand english. For me, i will so hospitable to them, i would going to offer the best tasted food that i ever prepared and let them try some excotic food and make them welcome to my family. I also tour them around my city and some nice tourist spots and introduce to my family and friends.
cheers.
2 people like this
@lovedude (4447)
• India
15 Jul 09
well I love to welcome visitors to my country.. it's my honor that he/she came to our home.. I try my best to keep our country's impression will be better to them. Mostly in India foreigners feel hot.. so I prefer to stay them in cool place and also serve with good food and water..
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
15 Jul 09
Hi lovedude, I like your welcoming approach to visitors from distant lands which would definitely leave a good impression, the warmth of the hospitality is the main thing and to ensure local food and fresh water is provided seems to be the key. I think it is admirable that you would want to impart a good impression of your country as when the visitor returns to their own land they will share the news of their positive reception.
@stvasile (7306)
• Romania
26 Aug 09
In Romania, it is a custom to welcome visitors, either foreign or from another distant part of the country, with bread and salt. For example, when the president or other high officials visit other parts of the country than the capital, they are welcomed by a young lady or a young man in a national costume offering them bread and salt on a plate. The bread is usually home-made, and the guest breaks a piece of it, dips it into the salt and eats it.
@stvasile (7306)
• Romania
26 Aug 09
Well, Transylvania is not a specific place, it names a very large part of the country - it names a region. I've been to cities of Transylvania, but I didn't get bitten until now. It's also true that I like eating garlic, so maybe the you-know-who didn't like my blood...
I'm attaching a map that shows the historical provinces of Romania - of which Transylvania is a part of. I am from the southernmost district (Teleorman), part of the region called Muntenia, but I've been (and slept) in the districts of Hunedoara, Cluj and Bistrita-Nasaud, part of Transylvania. In fact, I'll be going again tomorrow to a city in Hunedoara 
.
.@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
26 Aug 09
Hi stvasile, I must say I rather like that custom, nice and simple, in some places you never know what ghastly kinds of offerings you might receive, sheeps eyeballs and things but no one could be offended by a piece of home made bread and some salt. I would have expected a clove of garlic alongside though for anyone travelling up to Transylvannia. Have you ever been there by the way?
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
26 Aug 09
Hi again, yes I did know that Transylvania was a region and it was most definitely made famous to those outside your country by the Bram Stoker book. Romania is not a country which features much on news outside the country apart from the major events such as the downfall of (can't remember how to spell it) Chauchesko. Of course after that the images were all of the Romanian orphanages. But Transylvania always conjured up more alluring images of mountains and countryside and a more traditional way of life. Have a good trip tomorrow.
@THEcreationist (837)
• India
14 Jul 09
Hi, thea09.
Well, I don`t live in an area of tourist attraction. But, there are some things, like a university where people come to study from abroad, a famous temple etc.
If a foreigner visits my area, i will certainly give him/her a warm welcome, let him/her meet my friends, arrange for the best possible Indian food (let him/her have a new taste), show him/her the best places around etc.
In fact, here in India, there is a famous traditional saying "Atithi Devo Bhav" meaning "Guest is an other form of God". So, for someone who visits, there is always immense love here.
But, due to materialization, many Indians have forgot their traditions, but still there are many left to follow them.
Happy Mylotting!!
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
14 Jul 09
I am glad to hear that you would follow your famous tradition. Like the sound of the Indian food, I love it but am sure it would taste better in India.
The most welcoming people I ever met were the Turkish who invited me to their homes to join a family meal, this is just by communicating with locals whilst on holiday. The same thing in Tunisia too where a local family introduced me to their famous dish of fried egg in pastry. To be invited to someones home in that way to sample their day to day food is the best welcome.
@Iriene88 (5343)
• Malaysia
22 Aug 09
Dear thea09,
About five years ago, my husband used to have his foreign
colleagues visiting Malaysia. Since I am not a good cook,
normally we will bring them out for a meal or two. First
of all we will bring them to the KL Tower, a revolving
restaurant in the city with international buffet to enjoy.
There will be some spread of local delicacies for guest to
try, if they like it, then we can arrange a visit to local
food court xor the next meal. The buffet at KL Tower is
very costly , around RM90++ per person.
But at local food court, there will have variety of food,
Indian food, Chinese food and Malay food too. In Penang,
guests can enjoy sea food with Malay / local traditional
or cultural performances and dances.
All the best and take care...
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
23 Aug 09
Hello Iriene, I do wish you'd drop the 09 from my name. I would definitely opt for the local delicicacies if visiting Malaysia for the first time but I like the sound of the local food court with its variety. We don't have variety in food here outside the home, everyone serves Greek food and any foreign food is looked upon with suspicion.
A friend of mine has a relative from the UK visiting at the moment and I found it rather pathetic when the other evening the relative wanted to eat pizza and chips, rather than trying authentic Greek food.
. I would definitely opt for the local delicicacies if visiting Malaysia for the first time but I like the sound of the local food court with its variety. We don't have variety in food here outside the home, everyone serves Greek food and any foreign food is looked upon with suspicion.
A friend of mine has a relative from the UK visiting at the moment and I found it rather pathetic when the other evening the relative wanted to eat pizza and chips, rather than trying authentic Greek food.