An anthropological study of hospitality : the innkeeper and the guest / Amitai Touval

This volume explores recent developments in the practice of hospitality, as well as the curious, precarious relationship between guests and their hosts. Drawing from personal interactions with an aging innkeeper called Herr Klaus and modern Airbnb hostess Gretchen, Amitai Touval offers a touching and illuminating account of how the rise of Airbnb has forged new standards of generosity, hostility, and accountability. __An Anthropological Study of Hospitality__ is a must-read for anyone who has wondered about the intricate social cues involved in such a seemingly simple exchange. An Anthropological Study of Hospitality 3 Acknowledgments 5 Contents 6 1 The Innkeeper 8 Arriving at the Inn 8 Fieldwork and the Interaction of Hosts and Guests 10 A Walk in Downtown: Violence and Rhetoric 11 Hospitality in Germany and Other Cultures 12 Herr Klaus’ Inn and Hospitality in Eastern Germany 14 Provisioning the Guest 18 Advising and Admonishing the Guest 18 The Host’s Superiority Across Cultures 21 Downward Mobility and Hostility 24 Loyalty to Local Authorities 26 The Three Values that Inform the Innkeeper’s Practice of Hospitality 28 The History of Hospitality in Germany 29 Examples of Hospitality and Hostility Across Cultures 31 Hostility and Resilient Forms of Hospitality 33 Anthropology and the Representation of Hostility 35 Reflections on Fieldwork, Other Social Institutions, and Bildung 36 Leaving the Safe Space of the Inn 39 Notes 40 References 43 2 Airbnb 48 Hospitality in the Digital Age 48 Hospitality in a Changed City 50 A Diminished Allegiance to Local Authorities 52 The Home as an Inn 54 Economizing 56 Mutual Online Feedback 56 The Fantasy of Hosts’ Advice 58 The Host as World Traveler 59 Being a Host and a Guest Concurrently 60 Are Guests Equal to Hosts? 62 The Spatial Aspect of the Guests’ Superiority 63 Harnessing Time to Create Accountability 67 Compromised Accountability 68 When Hospitality Fails 69 What Can Fail? 74 Conclusion 75 Notes 77 References 80 Index 86 This volume explores recent developments in the practice of hospitality, as well as the curious, precarious relationship between guests and their hosts. Drawing from personal interactions with an aging innkeeper called Herr Klaus and modern Airbnb hostess Gretchen, Amitai Touval offers a touching and illuminating account of how the rise of Airbnb has forged new standards of generosity, hostility, and accountability. An Anthropological Study of Hospitality is a must-read for anyone who has wondered about the intricate social cues involved in such a seemingly simple exchange. Amitai Touval is Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, City University of New York, USA. He is also Social Media Director of ITAP International This Volume Explores Recent Developments In The Practice Of Hospitality, As Well As The Curious, Precarious Relationship Between Guests And Their Hosts. Drawing From Personal Interactions With An Aging Innkeeper Called Herr Klaus And Modern Airbnb Hostess Gretchen, Amitai Touval Offers A Touching And Illuminating Account Of How The Rise Of Airbnb Has Forged New Standards Of Generosity, Hostility, And Accountability.--provided By Publisher. The Innkeeper -- Airbnb. Amitai Touval. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-viii The Innkeeper....Pages 1-40 Airbnb....Pages 41-78 Back Matter....Pages 79-80