HOSPITABLE DEFINITION:welcoming to others; showing generosity to guests CATEGORIES:interactive, moral SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:neighborly POSSIBLE CAUSES: Having a large family that gathers often to socialize Living in a close-knit community where everyone looks out for one another Having parents or caregivers who opened their home to whoever was in need Being raised as a socialite where “playing the host” was a frequent role Being a nurturer Having a strong sense of community ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Opening up one’s home to others Hosting events to bring people together Greeting people with warmth and enthusiasm Generosity Being optimistic and open-minded Offering comforts to guests (food, drink, a bathroom to freshen up in, etc.) Including others Striking up conversations to make others feel important and welcome Being non-judgmental Showing respect for one’s guests Being able to put oneself in someone else’s place Offering protection to others Treating newcomers like family Being genuine Wanting people to feel comfortable Willingly serving others Reaching out to neighbors who might be in need Seeking out ways to help others Setting aside one’s schedule to attend to others Being a good listener Showing an active interest in other people’s lives; asking questions Sharing silly stories about oneself to make others feel at ease Freely offering one’s trust Making travel recommendations (the best restaurants, local sites to see, etc.) Being thoughtful in small ways (baking muffins for someone’s breakfast, etc.) Seeing the best in other people Having a friendly manner Enjoying the exchange of experiences, ideas, and perspectives Being helpful and kind Following through on promises Showing others that it is safe to be vulnerable Treating others the same way one would like to be treated Giving someone the benefit of the doubt Acting as a tour guide for someone who is unfamiliar with the area Making people feel secure and safe Sharing one’s possessions and resources with others Enjoying fellowship with others Caring more about people than one’s possessions ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: There’s a couch in the basement. I’ll ask Mark if his friend would like to stay here. I loved hearing about Nepal last night. Jess has been to some amazing places! Poor Sam, losing his home. We should clean up Carl’s old room and offer it to him. I’m going to invite the new neighbors over for dessert. ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:anticipation, curiosity, excitement, gratitude, happiness, love, pride, satisfaction, sympathy POSITIVE ASPECTS:Hospitable characters are loving and open and have a strong sense of community. Their desire to connect with people in a meaningful way makes others feel valued, safe, and welcome. Hospitable characters promote trust and fellowship through their generosity, kindness, and self-sacrifice. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Hospitable characters can be so open and willing to serve others that too much of their time and energy is spent satisfying the needs of friends, acquaintances, and strangers, leaving not enough one-on-one time with family. Their generosity can also put them at the mercy of selfish or entitled guests who would take as much as they can get without giving in return. And while hospitable characters gain real satisfaction from making others feel welcome, frustration and disillusionment can occur when their kindnesses aren’t reciprocated. EXAMPLE FROM FILM:Vianne Rocher (Chocolat) greets with a smile all the guests who frequent her chocolate shop, offering them free samples of this or that and trying to guess what their favorite confection might be. An outcast herself, she recognizes the sting of rejection and is determined that everyone she meets will feel welcomed and accepted.Other Examples from Literature:Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), Mr. And Mrs. Beaver (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), the Abegnation faction (Divergentseries), Bishop Myriel of Digne (Les Misérables) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT: antisocial, entitled, paranoid, rude, suspicious, unfriendly, ungrateful, withdrawn CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE HOSPITABLE CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Playing host to people who do not trust one another PLOTLINE: Trying to be hospitable while grieving for the loss of a loved one PLOTLINE: Being asked to entertain or help someone who has hurt a family member in the past PLOTLINE: Wanting to help and care for others but being incapacitated (from an illness, etc.)