How to entertain guests?

[Sorrow]

I'm just wondering how you should entertain a guest, especially if there not in your age group and you don't really even know them.

Like on Eid, as my dad, uncles etc had gone to visit other relatives, and my male cousins had gone out to another house, I was the only guy old enough to entertain any guest that should show up. Anyway, some guest came over, the lady went to the other room, which ends up being used as a womens room, and her husband went to the frontroom which we use as a mens room.

As the only guy old enough to entertain the male guest who was much older than I, I had no clue what to talk about (apart from the basic, how are you? etc and giving food etc). As I normally tend to be shy and quiet for some reason with people whom I don't know well.

Anyway, what do you brothers do in such circumstances? With guest who visit, e.g. the lady may be a friend of your mum/wife/grandma etc, but you don't know them yourselves, and if theirs a her husband/father etc that you have to entertain?

lol, I hope I can get good advice on this, as I grow older, I'll soon be facing these prospects much more often I'm guessing.

P.S. I fine with kids, and any guys who are more my age, as you tend to have more topics that can be talked about safely without offending.

[Ebony]

Dont you just hate being in that position of having to entertain people you dont know? :embar:

If they are older than you, then you just have to get to know them better, ask questions such as what do they do (work/study), ask questions relating to that (how they got into that field, etc). If they are talkative, thats half the work done for you! (It can definitely feel like a chore)

[Arsalan]

If there are kids, give em the playstation and 2 controllers.

If they are older, switch on the TV and watch the news.

If they are asian, talk about cricket and politics and how no one knows when Eid really is.

Usually keeps ppl distracted.

[mara]

Mens like to talk about sports, politics, womens, job. Not necessary in this order. :)

[alikhlas99]

If there are kids, give em the playstation and 2 controllers.

If they are older, switch on the TV and watch the news.

If they are asian, talk about cricket and politics and how no one knows when Eid really is.

Usually keeps ppl distracted.

The most insightful solution I have yet come across on the issue. Well said, akhi! :D :up:

[Arsalan]

Bro, wisdom often comes from experience, init :)

[abdusamad]

InshaAllaah before you start yabbbin at them, bring food and drinks to them.

[MalikOne™]

Do the bhangra

[Sorrow]

Thanks for the advice so far.

Problem with for example turning the TV on, is that as you don't know the person, you don't know how religious that person may be, and whether he watches TV or not (plus most of the stuff on TV is rubbish nowadays) and you don't want to end up forcing him to watch TV. Plus if you turned on the TV, and there is something stupid on that gets seen before your able to change the channel, you'll likely look stupid and may give the impression you watch that type of stuff :|

Its seems awkward for you who are younger than the guest to be asking someone much older than you the questions. Normally the elder person will question the younger person. For me to ask questions can sometimes seem intrusive on the person, and I don't like to put a person in a position where I end up asking a question. Even if the person is a few years older than me, I wouldn't really want to be asking if they went to uni, what degree they did, as it could be that the person only went to college but failed, and that would end up making you feel awkward for having asked such a question, and they may end up thinking your trying to act like your above them or such. lol, I don't think I explained that very well.

Whereas a elder person questioning a younger person is easier, as younger people are used to elders questioning them.

I agree if the guest is a naturally talkative type, they will be doing half the work for you.

[Ebony]

Well, if they are guests in your home, they wil to a certain extent expect you to ask questions.

Regarding asking questions that may be sensitive; you can't help that. Obviously if they dont like you asking certain q's, it'll be apparent in their body language and tone of voice. If you do notice a change in either, change topic.

[SoulAsylum]

Mens like to talk about sports, politics, womens, job. Not necessary in this order. :)

If they are friends of your family, you will usually be expected to talk about where they come from back home and do they know so and so from their village and then you usualyy find out your related through friend of so and so :rolleyes:

Thats one of the topics they usually talk about.

[Al-Mujaddidah]

....discussing the weather is always a good one to fall back on lol though slightly dry

[locked]

....discussing the weather is always a good one to fall back on lol though slightly dry
depends...lately its been quite wet :rolleyes:

:D

[Al-Mujaddidah]

Lol!

[abdusamad]

get two brevlis to sing for em. :D

[jimm]

why is it that everyone left and you were the only one home? Speaks volumes about the type of guests you have comming around doesnt it. As for older guests, if they are asian or really religious, just start talking about how the zionists or yahoods are out to kill everyone in thier secretive plots. When they start talking, just look interested, and use suggesting words like "is that so", "i agree" or if you really want them to keep talking say "wow, thats very interesting" (Warning - if you use this phrase with a small nod of the head and a slight look of bemusement then you will have to put up with the topic for at least 20 minutes).

However, this is where good strategy comes in. The segregation between males and females can be used to the advantage of both parties. Example, if your really bored and need a break say "excuse me, my sister/mum nan etc need something". THis is the perfect time to score the best food, remember go for quality of the food and not quantity. You want to eat it in front of your guest as well. If you are at a guests house, then use your sister wife etc as a way out i.e. "my wife needs to work tommorow so i really have to go" then say "we should do this some other time Inshallah". If you dont like the person dont give a specific date as this will lock you in.

[K@M]

Do the bhangra

LOL. Or start doing the MicheAL Jackson dance.

[Haz]

You can start asking about their work, what their doing, ask about their family. Politics is always a good thing but be careful when it comes to middle east politics, people tend to be very nervy. You can go out for a drive or a walk to the grocery store. If non of the above work talk football, thats a real life saver.

[Hekmaa]

Do the bhangra

LOL!

Usually for Eidul Fitr we were taught to talk about Ramadan, what it was meant to be, what we were to get out of it within the month, and what we were to take out of it with us.

Then the fasts of Shawal.

90% of the time you will find that the older people will ask alot of questions because Alhamdulilah the newer generation has had a religious awakening and know a bit more.

And if the person is learned then you will learn somethings from them.

Eidul Adha talk about hajj, Arafa, and the story of Ibrahim and Ismail.

i suppose the key note is always try to keep your talk around deen.

and Allah knows best

[nonmuslim]

Ask them what they have read recently, where they go to get their books, favorite writers etc. Follow their tone and interests as best you can. Have a newspaper or articles or books handy to discuss an issue as a starting point.

Ask what their fave food is etc.

[MG]

jus get the 2 kiddies to fight (they never stop anyway), entertainment for everyone :D

[Voyager]

if u tell the guests to bring their own food, then their level of dissapointment is only a reflection of their lack of effort, what u reckon? :D

[abdusamad]

entertaining guests.....hmmmmm.......hmmmm.... defo no bhangra, nor balle........ kids always work... :D

[babysara]

...lol...
thats true everyone wants to share their opinion on this matter, and it does turn out to be funny, how everyone thinks different...
If they are asian, talk about cricket and politics and how no one knows when Eid really is.

Usually keeps ppl distracted.

[in_exile]

talk to them about islam and its beauty and the like, talk about family and how it is and usual chit chat, but then make sure you bring in islamic talk at regular intervals.

[PiElle]

well, to me, entertaining guests is about how you make them feel ie, food, drinks, entertainment, comfort and make sure they get home alright, it's seldom about what you say. :)