Hospitality facts for kids

Bringing in the boar's head. In heraldry, the boar's head was sometimes used as symbol of hospitality, often seen as representing the host's willingness to feed guests well. It is likewise the symbol of a number of inns and taverns.

Hospitality is all about welcoming others. It means being friendly and generous to people who visit your home, business, or any place you spend time. The person doing the welcoming is called a host. The people being welcomed are called guests.

What is Hospitality?

Hospitality is like an art form. It's about how you entertain or receive guests. When we talk about "offering hospitality," we mean making visitors feel comfortable and cared for. Different cultures around the world have their own special ways of showing hospitality.

Where the Word Comes From

The word hospitality has a long history. It comes from the Latin word hospes. This word originally meant "to have power" or "a stranger." Over time, it came to mean someone who welcomes guests.

Hospitality in History

In the past, many societies believed it was very important to help strangers. If someone arrived at their door needing food or shelter, they would offer hospitality. This might seem unusual today, but it was a key way for people to survive. This was especially true in places where people traveled long distances, far from towns.

Related Words

Many words we use today come from the idea of hospitality. For example, the words hospital, hospice, and hostel are all related. They all involve giving care to people who are away from their own homes.

More Pictures

• 

  Athidhi seva vishista

• 

  Mosaic at San Vitale, Ravenna, Abraham and the angels, pre-547

• 

  Interior of the Moro Sky Bar on the 25th and topmost floor of Sokos Hotel Torni in the city center of Tampere, Finland.

See also

In Spanish: Hospitalidad para niños