"Put down the gun, and have some wine: The Power of Hospitality

Something strange happened in Washington DC. recently. Well something strange always happens in DC, but this time, it had nothing to do with politics. It had everything to do with hospitality.

A man walked into a house holding a 14 year old girl at gun point and shouting for money. Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for everyone else, the family was just finishing dinner. So the family did what any good hospitable family would do: they asked him to sit down and have a glass of wine.

Amazed by the taste of this wine, and perhaps even more by the grace of its offer, he calmly admitted he was at the wrong house. Afterwards, he asked for a group hug and then left.

I don't suppose that we'll be thrown into this situation, but it does show you how hospitality, even if its only having a glass of wine with neighbors (which my wife and I try to do on a monthly basis with our neighbors), really breaks down barriers. It either figuratively, or literally in this case, makes people put away their weapons and defenses. In time, you'll listen to what they have to say, and they'll be open to hear what you have to say. However it usually doesn't work as quickly as this unusual case. Nevertheless, the long term impact may be much greater.

Click here for a link to the story, in case you want to read it, or if you don't believe me.