RITUALS OF GRATITUDE AT OUR BEACH HOUSE

We are so grateful for all the wonderful things that have happened over the last year. From our hotel’s design overhaul to our successful transformation, it has been an amazing journey so far and we have many people to thank – including our international guests and local clientele.
 
At our Beach House, you may have noticed that we love rituals. For instance, our inspiration is rooted in the rituals of service that we have associated with moments of the day. A characteristic day at our resort encompasses the sunrise, a day at the beach, living the Cayman life, the Sunset Ritual and after dark.
 
Therefore to commemorate Marriott’s Global Customer Appreciation Week, we want to offer our gratitude to our clients for choosing us. We thought it would be interesting to explore the various rituals of gratitude that different cultures practice around the world and share some of them with you today. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
 
In Japan, people show gratitude by bowing. For many situations, the way in which you say thanks depends on how close you are with the person you are thanking and how their social status is relative to yours. The Japanese also have many holidays and occasions where gratitude can be shown as gifts. There are Okaeshi gifts, which are thank you gifts for a gift received and typically at half the value of the original gift. Temiyage is an actual thank you gift, which usually takes the form of flowers or food. Omiyage are gifts that people bring as souvenirs from Japan.
 
In Russia, if you want to thank someone for their hospitality when visiting their home, a small gift of chocolates or flowers is appropriate. However, it is worth noting that yellow flowers are considered bad luck and an even number of blooms are only meant to be given at funerals!
 
In India, saying “thank you” to a friend or relative likens them to the role of stranger. Real friends are expected to be there for each other, to always help out in times of need, as a means of expressing gratitude for the friendship.
 
In the Philippines, the phrase “it is the thought that counts” really rings true. No matter how small the token or gesture, the act of giving is much more important than the gift itself. Pasalubong is the Filipino tradition of a homecoming gift. The ritual of giving a pasalubong is of great cultural importance for Filipinos as it strengthens the bond with the immediate family, relatives and friends. The gesture of handing out pasalubong emphasizes the gladness at reuniting with one’s loved ones and the relief at being back home safe. It is also a sign of thoughtfulness and appreciation.
 
References:
 
www.mindbodygreen.com
www.wikipedia.org