Comments on: Good Hosts vs. Bad Hosts

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 05:20:34 +0000

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!

By: Don Eglinski

Don Eglinski — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 07:44:22 +0000

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!

By: Spike

Spike — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:37:51 +0000

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…

By: Don Eglinski

Don Eglinski — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:30:31 +0000

Oops, the above was to be linked here. Sorry.

By: Don Eglinski

Don Eglinski — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:28:35 +0000

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”:

Virtually nothing else is as important as how one is made to feel in any transaction. Hospitality exists when you believe the other person is on your side. […]

The customer isn’t always right. Sometimes the staff is. […]

But the biggest thing we do well — and the biggest thing we fail at — is making sure people feel heard. People don’t need to feel agreed with, so long as they know you took it in, looked them in the eye, and were thoughtful in your response.

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.

By: Steve Hershberger

Steve Hershberger — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:17:51 +0000

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.

By: Spike

Spike — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:52:54 +0000

Ooo, that’s a great angle, Andy. I look forward to reading that post!

By: Andy Woolard

Andy Woolard — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:45:56 +0000

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.

By: Spike

Spike — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:44:33 +0000

Awww. Thanks for the love, Staeven.

By: Staeven Frey

Staeven Frey — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:33:20 +0000

I think you guys would be excellent hosts / hostesses.

In fact, I know you are.