Regular urban place-users adopt host-like roles toward strangers.

Evidence

Proprietary attitudes among approved residents take a variety of forms, “acting the host” being the mildest and probably the most common. Among resident employees, of course, this is not only tolerated but expected. Such tasks as giving directions and offering assistance are part of the employee’s job. But acting the host is not restricted to employees; colonizers commonly take on such a role. Among bus depot pensioners, the host attitude displays itself as a willingness, even eagerness, to assist confused travelers, as the following incident illustrates: A young man is seated at a bench near the front of the depot. — Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order and Action in…, 754

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces ‘acting the host’ as a distinctive category of proprietary behavior in public space.