Discussion Questions-z - Coursework Example

Analyzing fictional encounters between “hosts” and “guests” Analysts and scholars trying to evaluate the nature and forms of touristic encounters frequently reached conflicting deductions. On one hand, such encounters seem to promise reciprocal and positive cultural contacts whereas on the other hand they seem to be a relentless source of reciprocal mistreatment and misunderstanding. "India, India," and "The Unwelcomed Tourists," by Hugh Cave are two stories that present the contrasting viewpoints.

In "India, India," despite the perceived austerity of the environment, the natives are portrayed as welcoming and sociable. Although the tourists first experience culture shock, they later adapt to the environment and enjoy every bit of it. In Mumbai, they find home away from home and the tourists even wonder why they should leave. “Look around. Why would I leave?” (p. 03). The predisposition that the tourists previously held is eliminated through the social interactions that transpire between the locals and the tourists.

The US tourists are portrayed as sociable and respectful of the natives. However, in "The Unwelcomed Tourists", the locals and tourists seem to be suspicious about each other. The natives are portrayed as unwelcoming while the tourists strived to elude any form of interaction. Apparently, their interaction is manifested by degree of social aloofness, affective ties and stereotyping that would not exist between neighbors. The US tourists are portrayed as shrewd and end up being mistrusted by natives.

However, these disparaging encounters can be attributed to restricted cultural interactions and lack of impartiality. Paying empirical attention to generative potential and plurality can aid in creating a better understanding local-tourists interactions and improving this rather tainted scenario. The society needs to go beyond tourists contemplation and establish profound social relationships. 2. Working in the Tourism IndustryAs an industry, cruising has rapidly grown to currently attract over 12 million passengers annually and a source of employment for several tourism and hospitality professionals.

In “Below the Passenger Deck,” and in “Working at the Rat,” the workers interact with passengers/guests and through these interactions, the many challenges threatening to engrave the tourism and hospitality industry are revealed. In “Below the Passenger Deck,” one outstanding fact that stands out is how not to treat guests. It was a classy charter yacht. No matter how demanding or annoying the guests acted, Kat and Amy kept on smiling and smirking. They do not get out of control or even try to jump weirdly over the female crew.

They did not request for creepy foods or pole dances from male guests. In both movies, the workers’ seem to discriminate who to interact with and the extent to which that interaction is acceptable and beneficial. As inappropriate behavior mushroom in passengers, the workers in both cases seem to distance themselves from such misconducts and instead strive to make the passengers understand that they are acting in a uncanny manner. While merrymaking with guests transpires in several instances, the workers knew exactly what to do even in extreme situations.

Workers strive to keep the guests’ acts secret and seem to dislike “the view of someone observing them from every angle” (p. 135).