Good Hosts vs. Bad Hosts
October 24th, 2006
Face it. You just can’t be strangers with your customers anymore. No longer are they faceless masses with no voice that are pigeonholed by demographics, geography and spending habits. They are living, breathing people who just might accept an invitation to your party. And, as we all know, the best parties are the ones with the best hosts.
So what’s the difference between good hosts and bad hosts?
Good hosts make the party all about you. Bad hosts make it all about them. Good hosts think it’s an honor having you in their home. Bad hosts think they’re doing you a favor by inviting you over. Good hosts entertain. Bad hosts bore. Good hosts get you involved in the festivities. Bad hosts turn up the music and hope for the best. Good hosts make you feel like you want to invite them over next time. Bad hosts make you feel like you want to make sure you misplace their number. Good hosts make you feel good about yourself. Bad hosts make you feel awkward and out of place. Good hosts are courteous. Bad hosts are rude. Good hosts makes sure to introduce everyone to everyone. Bad hosts ignore the wallflowers.
So now you have a choice to make - which host will you be?
Tip of the hat: The idea for this post grew out of this post.
Other posts by Spike.
Staeven Frey says:
I think you guys would be excellent hosts / hostesses.
In fact, I know you are.
October 24th, 2006 at 11:33 amSpike says:
Awww. Thanks for the love, Staeven.
October 24th, 2006 at 11:44 amAndy Woolard says:
I love this comparison. I see another post in the making…good and bad parties? I mean, we all know the pinata is a staple…but what other tools create a social success? I’m gonna think on this.
October 24th, 2006 at 11:45 amSpike says:
Ooo, that’s a great angle, Andy. I look forward to reading that post!
October 24th, 2006 at 11:52 amSteve Hershberger says:
A little effort goes a long way. Interestingly, you seem to have as much fun focusing on making your guests happy. Nice post Spike. A good lesson.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:17 pmDon Eglinski says:
At first glance this analogy may seem to work, but having almost a decade of service industry experience with me forced me to disagree.
For a better analogy, I would turn to this article on resterateur Danny Meyer about how we’re moving into what he calls the “hospitality economy”:
It’s a polite analogy, but sounds more like common sense. Like with any business, nothing is quite as simple as “being a good host.” It works well as a good reminder in one’s overall attitude, however.
October 26th, 2006 at 9:28 amDon Eglinski says:
Oops, the above was to be linked here. Sorry.
October 26th, 2006 at 9:30 amSpike says:
That’s a fantastic angle, Don. And I don’t think what you wrote and what I wrote contradict one another. When you feel like someone is on your side, it’s because you involve them and invite them into the fold. I would never suggest that’s as easy as being a good host - that’s just the beginning…
October 26th, 2006 at 9:37 amDon Eglinski says:
Good point, and I agree. I’ll leave with that above link just to add depth to the concept, as you’re right. But I like to take into account the depth and complexity that the simple act of just being nice can sometimes entail.
Who knew it could be such hard work!
October 26th, 2006 at 11:44 pmMark says:
Well i just searched bad hosts and came upon your site. And let me say I just left a funtion with a bad host that you described in your post so well…awesome!
March 18th, 2007 at 9:20 pm