I was away on an extended trip this month, and it so happened that part of the trip was near a client of mine ... we'll call him George. Mind you, I don't do a lot of work for George, just answer questions now and then, but he's a nice person and I wanted to see his operation. So I told him I'd be in the area, and maybe we could meet?

His first suggestion, of course, was that we meet for lunch. I did my usual polite refusal, saying my dietary needs were pretty complicated etc. George didn't take no for an answer though, and did some research on his own. He wrote back and said "Would it be ok if we went to PF Chang's"? Well, I love their food, no problem there. He then sent me the PF Chang's menu, and asked what I'd like. Mind you, this is 2 weeks before our visit!

When I came into town, he met me with a car and driver, and took me on a tour of his town. Then we went and visited his people, and took a tour of his operation. I did some training for one of their employees, and we stopped for lunch. He said he was having the PF Chang's brought in, so more people could participate. There were about 8 employees there, in a conference room. Bags and bags of really yummy smelling food piled into the room and were spread out: noodles, shrimp, stir fry, sauces. George said "I thought we'd all eat family style, sharing all the food, so we can try more different kinds of food".

I about died inside. It was the typical "I really don't understand where you are coming from" thing. So I said, as politely as I could "Really, that's a good idea, but I just can't share my food, because I can't eat the other stuff on the table".

He quickly reassured me. "Oh no, Heather! It's ok! We ALL ordered from the gluten free menu!"

I about lost it then, and even thinking about it, I still cry. I've never had a whole group of people be so darn nice. I asked George later why he went to such lengths to make me feel ok about lunch.

He acted surprised. "It's just basic hospitality" he said "Anyone would do it".

I reflected then how little "basic hospitality" I have experienced in my life. Maybe it's a lost art, or maybe it's just that we are too busy or in our own space. But I do hope, the next time I'm the hostess, that I can show something of the same empathy that George did.

 

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