Cooperstown Observed by Sam Goodyear

A Plea to Locals for Philoxenia

When did tourist become a dirty word?

Way back when, young aristocratic Englishmen famously traveled to continental Europe on what was called the Grand Tour. Were they the first tourists? Nowadays the word tourist is accompanied by a sneer and a knowing roll of the eyes. Whereas the young intrepid Englishmen were romanticized and admired, their modern-day counterparts, up and down the social scale, are treated with contempt.

Summer approaches. Some residents of Cooperstown are already gearing up to brush off the tourists who will soon arrive.

I am a tourist. At least, when I go to Milford, I am an outsider. Or when I go to Los Angeles I am no different from another tourist visiting there.

In ancient Greece the word for stranger was xenos, which meant not only stranger, but guest and friend. Philoxenia was the word of the day, visitors welcome. Can we not emulate the ancient Greeks and happily share our village with those who come our way? Visitors have the same right to the sidewalk as I do. We would all be better off with mutual smiles up and down Main Street.

It is gratifying to see families enjoying their meal in one of the many eateries in our village, and to note the bustle at the hostelries, and to observe the pleasure taken at the opera, the concerts, the art exhibitions, and the baseball events, all of which enliven the life in the streets by our enchanted lake and let’s not forget that the visitors come to share their wealth with us, thus ensuring the village’s healthy and fruitful bottom line.

Sam Goodyear is a resident of the Village of Cooperstown.