The word xenophilia is a combination of the Greek "xenos" (ξένος) meaning unknown or foreign and "philia" (φιλία) meaning love or attraction. It thus means affection for the foreign or unknown.
Of course, all attraction to that which is foreign, especially to foreign peoples, manners, or cultures need not always be a good thing. Just as a phobia is an irrational fear or hatred without any solid foundation and thus not desirable, a philia, too may be equally undesirable especially if it is blind and abnormal and irrational.
Xenophilia is the opposite of xenophobia, which is the fear or dislike of unknown or foreign people and objects (Indians steal American jobs; the Chinese make inferior products; Mexicans commit crimes)
It is easy to be afraid of the unknown or the foreign. It is normal to feel insecure around that which is not us or within the ambit of our experience and knowledge. Xenophobia is natural, normal, common. It adheres to the status quo--that which is as it is.
It is a rarer feat to be the brave, open-minded and secure human being who is xenophilic--who welcomes the foreign with open arms, who is free from the fear of the unknown, who invites change, who accepts the otherness of the new-found foreign object or person.
However, in this world that is more globalized, where our national boundaries are blurring slowly into oblivion given that physical space can no longer hold us in one place, loving the other is sure to serve us better in life than hating all that is not-us.
The author, Dr. Ranee Kaur Banerjee consults under the brand Expressions@Work to create and deliver learning and development programs in communication and soft skills.
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