Host and Guests

According to the writer, the whole humanity can be divided into two categories- hosts and guests. Every person is born to be either a host or a guest. This distinction depends on circumstances and temperaments. 

One who loves to invite others to a dinner and bears the expenses is called a host. He who accepts the invitations and feels happy to be entertained is called guest. The host and guest can not take the place of each other easily. If a host has to become a guest, he feels awkward and can not behave properly. Similarly a born guest feels uncomfortable if he has to become a guest. 

To offer hospitality is a positive instinct and to accept it is a negative instinct. It is a common practice for the rich to give and the poor to receive. But it is not a general rule that wealthy persons are hosts. While the poor are always guests. The writer has come across many rich people in his life who never offered to entertain others to win their   goodwill. 

On the other hand, he knows many poor persons who love to entertain others inspire of being hard pressed. 

The writer further says that the feeling of pride and vanity are the real motivating force behind acts of hostility and generosity. If people are required to play hosts or guest contrary to their natural inclination, they behave awkwardly.