Here in the West we treat hospitality as a necessary inconvenience. We welcome a guest into our home, get them a drink and sit with them, it never really goes beyond that. Thai's don't just practice hospitality with guests in their home, they are hospitable to everyone they encounter during the day. They honor the people around them by not being noisy or disruptive, or by being smelly or dirty. When you are guest in their home they dote on you, giving you the place of honor, and going out of their way to make you feel welcome. Thai's will invite you in off the street, having never met you before that moment, and treat you to a delicious dinner. As a general rule, Thai's will believe the best in everyone, which is why they don't think twice about bringing a stranger into their homes and to meet their family.
Being in Thailand made me think twice about how I practice hospitality here in the states. One of our YWAM values is to "Practice Hospitality", but what does that mean? It would mean different things to a Thai person than it would an American. Seeing the Thai's definition of hospitality has really made me want to be more like that; more helpful, more trusting, more considerate, and more loving. Not only because the Thai's are like that, but because I think God would want to call us to the higher standard.
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