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I'm looking for a word for the quality that someone has which enables them to create a comfortable and intimate situation. Specifically, I'm thinking about this in a service context. I thought perhaps "attentive" and "responsive" would work, but I feel like there might be one that's just a bit better...? I appreciate any help that comes my way!

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The ability to create a comfortable and intimate environment. It's a quality that encompasses being hospitable, welcoming, and warm... ahh, what is it! – Jessie Jan 26 '12 at 21:39
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I'm not sure I see any difference between hospitable, welcoming, and warm in this context, so why wouldn't any one of those do? – FumbleFingers Jan 26 '12 at 22:24
The "quality" I would cite is "sympathetic." – Tom Au Jan 30 '12 at 18:46

closed as not a real question by Will Hunting, FumbleFingers, JeffSahol, Mehper C. Palavuzlar, Mitch Jan 29 '12 at 0:36

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4 Answers

up vote 1 down vote

Here's some other possibilities:

  • gracious
  • amiable
  • open-hearted
  • warmhearted
  • receptive
  • cordial
  • genial

I think most often I've heard such a person described simply as a good host.

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up vote 1 down vote

One way I come up with my descriptors is using personality profiles. I'm guessing that your person might be an INFP (introverted-intuitive-feeling-perceiving) so I looked around here:

http://www.personalitydesk.com/personality-types#axzz1kbnmLfY2

and found: gentle, nurturing, empathetic and loyal -among others.

I'm not sure if these words help, but if you dig through the personality types you can find a lot of ideas and inspiration.

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up vote 2 down vote

You may be looking for disarming:

Having the effect of allaying suspicion or hostility, esp. through charm.

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Which also suggests charming. May I suggest you add that to your answer? – MετάEd Jan 27 '12 at 0:35
up vote 0 down vote

What about:

soothing, adj. : making you feel more calm and more relaxed and less nervous, worried, or upset

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