Southern hospitality

Having just returned from a brief vacation in North Carolina I was reminded of a saying from a program that stated, "As I give the world, so the world gives to me." Whether it was a hotel, a restaurant, or a store, I was greeted by a warm sincere welcome. Although I had never visited North Carolina before, I was made to feel like family. It didn't matter if I spent an hour or several days in a location. All I had to do was to be open and friendly and it was returned in kind. The people I met were genuinely interested in where I was from and what I thought of my experience in their city. They would freely suggest places to dine and sights to see. There was no need for anyone to judge other establishments that offered the same services. "You should try such and such a place. They have their own specialties." I sensed such great pride in their city and they had no problem sharing that pride with visitors. It gave me cause to think about how I extend myself to others when they are visiting my part of the country. How do you extend a hand of friendship to others who pass your way?