Whom Would You Invite for Dinner?

Would you rather have the Dalai Lama or your favorite uncle? or aunt?

I stopped watching the news this week because so many disingenuous elected officials were center stage. As I looked for something more uplifting (where was Howdy Doody when I needed him?), I paused to ask myself, “Of all the people I would want to dine at my table, in my home, who would I invite and why?” What I mean is, what qualities should I expect them to have if I want them under my roof?

Would I not want to spend the more precious moments of my life with those who would offer me unstinting pleasure and not unease or regret?

Who would please me? Whose company would I enjoy? What values must they have? Would I invite a criminal? A thief? A rapist? A molester? No, no, of course not.

Courtesy of iStock photos

Though I might consider dining with someone conversant, someone knowledgeable who brings something new to the table, that is not critical. I want good, honest people there, people I like.

Tell me, is that not what we are supposed to do, supposed to want?

I want people who show respect to me and my family. I would not ask someone who ridiculed me, my wife, my family, my heritage, my color, my dress, or my father, who he was or what he did. I would not want someone who mocked service to our country. Why, that’s a bully. Why, that’s someone who lowers the other guy’s self-esteem.

I would like someone next to me whom I could trust. I would like someone who tells the truth.

Tell me, isn’t that what we’re supposed to want?

I would appreciate people who have differing opinions and can tolerate and participate in civilized discussions with those who may not agree with me or others at my table.

Tell me, isn’t that what we're supposed to do? Be tolerant?

I would not want a liar at my table. Lying festers like a boil, creates conflicts, misunderstandings, confusion, and bitterness. Lying undermines trust. I have seen it endanger lives. I value honesty.

Tell me. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to value?

I want at my table someone who is respectful, kind, and supportive, and who appreciates me and my family for who we are. I want someone polite and constructive rather than mean and destructive.

Tell me, isn’t that what we’re supposed to want?

I want to share my experiences and opinions.

Now, I want you to make a “Who would I like to come to dinner?” assessment when you vote in your elections. And in that vote, I want you to deselect celebrity from your consideration because it is easy to have our heads turned and our votes cast because of star quality alone.

And then answer the question again. Would you have that person come to your home and sit with your family for dinner?

What about it? Who would you invite to your table?

Might it have been, or might it be, Yo-Yo Ma, Tom Hanks, Nelson Mandela, Dolly Parton, Bill Gates, Fred Rogers? Jimmy Carter, John McCain?

The Dalai Lama?

Or might it be your friend or favorite uncle? Or your parents? You know, the nicest people might be those working quietly without much public attention.

And they are nearby.

Tell me, who would you invite for dinner?

Does it matter? Should it? Why?

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