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Doug Delamatter's avatar

I have a Jewish -Canadian friend who has worked for two decades in Israel teaching science to Palestinian and Israeli students for a living and running "peace camps" with that mix of kids during school holidays. She relates that when you are invited into a Palestinian home, you will be offered food and tea and no one will talk, they will just BE with you until time has passed, and their offerings of hospitality have been consumed. Only then will they speak words of welcome and then conversation. It sounds deeply civilized to me, distilled from traditions that go back not hundreds but thousands of years.

It appears that Perplexity.ai agrees with me.

When visiting a traditional Palestinian home, silence plays a nuanced and important role in the welcome and hospitality offered to guests. Here are some key aspects:

## Respectful Silence

In Palestinian culture, silence can be a sign of respect and attentiveness toward guests. When visitors first enter the home, there may be moments of quiet as the hosts warmly welcome them through gestures and body language rather than excessive words. This allows guests to feel at ease and settle into the space.

## Listening and Observation

Silence provides an opportunity for hosts to attentively listen to and observe their guests, anticipating their needs without the guests having to verbally express them. This reflects the deep-rooted Palestinian value of generous hospitality.

## Creating a Peaceful Atmosphere

Brief periods of comfortable silence help create a calm, peaceful atmosphere that puts guests at ease. This aligns with the Palestinian tradition of making visitors feel "at home" and completely welcome in the space.

## Nonverbal Communication

Much of the initial welcome may be communicated through nonverbal cues like warm smiles, gestures of greeting, and attentive body language. Silence allows these subtle but meaningful interactions to occur without being overshadowed by conversation.

## Reflection of Dignity

Maintaining some silence, especially early in the visit, can be seen as a reflection of the dignity and poise valued in Palestinian culture. It demonstrates composure and allows for a measured, thoughtful approach to hosting.

While silence plays these important roles, it's important to note that Palestinian hospitality is also characterized by warmth, generosity, and engaging conversation as the visit progresses. The initial moments of quiet help set the stage for the rich social interaction that follows.

Citations:

[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2024/03/palestinian-food-diplomacy-gaza/677773/

[2] https://www.hospitality-for-humanity.com/faqs

[3] https://socialtextjournal.org/periscope_article/pedagogy-and-epistemics-of-witness-teaching-palestine-in-a-time-of-genocide/

[4] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/chilling-effect-pro-palestinian-1.7064510

[5] https://uniter.ca/view/silencedeath

[6] https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aman.13925

[7] https://www.eater.com/23942299/hospitality-for-humanity-palestine-israel-hamas-war-interview-reem-assil

[8] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03064220231219875

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Tracie Putnam's avatar

Beautiful. Just beautiful. Thank you.

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