The Story of Pineapple
- ms3304dealer
- Oct 2, 2017
- 3 min read
[Source: https://www.retaildetail.eu/en/news/food/vegetable-processing-company-ardo-acquires-canadian-company]
When it comes to ‘pineapple’, what will you think of? Pineapple is actually far more than just a tropical fruit that we come up in mind right away. Indeed, it is a universal symbol of hospitality. The exact origin of this symbolic meaning is uncertain, but it is believed that the idea is generated by the history and legend handed down from the past.
Pineapple in History
Pineapple was first introduced to Europe by the discovery of Christopher Columbus through his voyage to the Caribbean in 1493. The fruit were highly embraced because of its sweetness and novelty. However, due to the unfavourable climate condition for plantation in Europe, pineapple was so uncommon that only the royals were able to enjoy it. As a result, pineapple was marked as a royal privilege.
In the other part of the world -- the colonial America, pineapple also represented preciousness and had a high status. Shipping the fruit from the Caribbean to the colonies across the ocean was an extremely challenging task as many of the commodities decayed during the hot, humid and slow marine voyage. Owing to its rarity in America, pineapple became a tool for people to flaunt their social statuses by placing this expensive fruit on the dining tables during special events.
[Source: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-brief-history-of-the-hospitality-pineapple-200667]
Pineapple in Legend
The story is about a New England sea captain who engaged in trading in the Caribbean regions. Whenever he returned home, he brought abundance of cargoes of spices, rum and fruits along with him. He would then impale the pineapple onto the fence outside his home, taking this as a signal for his safe return and also an invitation for welcoming his friends to visit, share the food and drinks he brought back and listen to his voyage story.
[Source:https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/pineapple-on-blue- background_906462.htm]
Influenced by the historical facts and legend story, it becomes a demotic practice that innkeepers add pineapple to their signs and advertisements. Thereafter, pineapple was given the symbolic meanings of welcome, friendship and hospitality. By presenting the pineapple, people show their willingness to share as well as their warmest welcome to their guests.
Pineapple in Real Life
As a globally recognized symbol, it is not difficult to find that pineapple figures are applied to the architecture and used as logos or decorations in the hospitality industry all over the world.
1. Dunmore Pineapple
Located in Dunmore Park in Scotland, Dunmore Pineapple was the ancestral home of the Earls of Dunmore. It is well-known for its remarkable pineapple-shaped dome.Likewise, pineapple figures and patterns were frequently applied to the designs of many historical buildings. This is because pineapple was a rare fruit in the past, applying pineapple to the buildings could show the wealth and status of the house owner, and also help to bring out the message of hospitality to welcome the visitors.
[Source: https://www.roughguides.com/article/stay-landmark-trust/]
2. Stay Pineapple
Stay Pineapple, a hotel company, uses pineapple as its brand name and logo. In all its subsidiary hotels, pineapple patterns are used as the decoration in the lobby, lounge bar, room and so on. The reason behind is that this company emphasizes on redefining ‘hospitality’, creating value for every guest so as to give them unique experiences that are filled with smiles and memories.
[Source :https://www.staypineapple.com/the-maxwell-hotel-seattle]
3. Charleston Waterfront Park
The pineapple fountain is the most significant spot in the Waterfront Park in Charleston. Symbolizing hospitality, pineapple patterns are common in Charleston which is ranked as the friendliest city in America. Surprising it may seem that people are allowed to walk into the fountain and splash inside. Yet, this exactly reflects that the pineapple fountain helps to express the message of friendliness and welcome to the incoming guests.
[Source: https://harbourviewcharleston.com/charleston]
Learning Reflection
I used to see pineapples in hotel receptions during travels in the past and I believed that they are used as decoration simply due to their bright yellow colour. It was not until I learnt the idea of “hospitality pineapple” from the course that I know there is such a great meaning behind. After having a deeper online research on this topic, I realise that there are long stories to make up this symbolization as well as how extensive this symbol is applied all over the world. Knowing the “hospitality pineapple” really opens my horizons and this also encourages me to pay more attention to different details in daily life as well as to explore the amazing stories behind those seemingly ordinary phenomena.
References
[1] Why the Pineapple Became the Symbol of Hospitality. Southern Living. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.southernliving.com/culture/pineapple-hospitality
[2] Powers, A. A Brief History of the Hospitality Pineapple. Apartment Therapy. (2014, Feb 28). Retrieved from http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-brief-history-of-the-hospitality-pineapple-200667
[3] Monday Manners: Why a Pineapple Symbolizes Hospitality. Sweet Southern Prep. (2010, May 31). Retrieved from http://sweetsouthernprep.com/monday-manners-why-pineapple-symbolizes/
[4] StayPineapple. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.staypineapple.com
[5] All About Charleston Pineapple Fountain & Other Charleston Landmarks. Drew Sineath & Associates. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://drewsineath.com/news/2017/02/03/charleston-landmarks/
[6] Pineapple Fountain – Charleston, South Carolina. South Carolina Picture Project. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/charleston-county/pineapple-fountain.html
[7] Dunmore Pineapple. Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunmore_Pineapple
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