Being a Gracious Host Means Taking No For An Answer
Photo credit - Kelly Allard
This holiday season, people will be gathering and sharing delectable foods and experiences that are not available all year. People want to share the joy and rightfully so.
People also have the right to say
No
How many times have you heard someone say to another who has refused an alcoholic beverage
“Come on, one drink won’t hurt you!” or
“Just have a sip!”
When the person still says
No
Often they are asked
“Why not?”
If the question is directed towards a female, sometimes it is coupled with “You must be pregnant!”
A Gracious Host would have taken no for an answer and not pressured or asked follow-up questions.
There are many reasons why people do not want to imbibe in intoxicating substances.
They might have a medical problem.
They might be the designated driver.
They might be taking medication that does not mix.
They might be pregnant.
They might be supporting someone who is pregnant.
They might have a substance use disorder.
They might be supporting someone else who has a substance use disorder.
They might not want a hangover.
All of the above is offically
None of your business
How many times have we heard someone say “You hardly ate anything!” (usually while the person heaps more food on your plate)? How about when someone says “You’re too thin, we have to fatten you up!” Or the “I made/ ordered too much, finish this up so it doesn’t go to waste, it’s only a little bit!”
There are many reasons why people do not want to eat certain things.
Maybe they don’t want to be your go-to for not wasting food, aka garbage disposal.
Maybe they are dieting and don’t want to hear, “You don’t need to diet!”.
Maybe they have an allergy or an intolerance and don’t want to confess that ingesting dairy products will make them stink up the place.
Maybe they have a medical condition (diabetes, kidney disease, IBS, cancer, etc.) where they must watch what they ingest.
Maybe they are trying to change their eating habits.
Maybe they have morning sickness.
Maybe they hate your cooking.
Again, all of the above are
None of your business
How many times have we heard, “We have to go, it’s only once a year”, “You’ll really like it once we get there”, “Everyone is going!” or “It’s great exercise!”.
There are many reasons why people do not want to join in various activities.
Maybe they hate the cold.
Maybe they hate crowds.
Maybe they’re tired.
Maybe they just want to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Maybe they need to stay close to a toilet.
Maybe they can’t do the thing and are embarrassed.
Maybe they’re just not in the mood.
Again, all of the above are
