The Quechan, the indigenous people of the Andes, call it Ayni. It's a gift you give freely, without expectation of getting something back. And it is a basic tenet of their lives. You need a house, the community will help you build it. You are...

I was walking around my neighborhood last week and I picked up a Thai menu from the new Thai place that replaced the old Thai place.  They had an item on the menu called Grilled Rip Eye Steak. While it’s true that Asian restaurants are notorious...

So I go into a cafeteria-style restaurant in Jokkmokk, Sweden and there is no menu posted.  I ask the woman behind the counter what is available.  In better English than I could ever speak Swedish, the woman replies “Bread.  Reindeer.  Hot.  Cold.”  When I pause...