Welcome In

 

Let's Talk.

"Welcome In"
I started hearing this phrase from some of the performers in OpenSim as folks arrived at the music venue. How nice, so welcoming, I thought.
Now I hear it every single night at the start of the local CBS news. It seems such a weird thing for them to say. It is the news on the television, so what are they welcoming us into? The newsroom, I suppose, except that they are there and I am here, so welcoming me in every night just sounds weird.
I finally heard it in real life and in a place where it makes sense. A shop. I entered a shop the other day and the proprietor said, "Welcome in!" This felt authentic and made sense to me. Even performers in virtual or real-life venues, it makes sense. My local news station uses this phrase every night at the top of the news hour...THIS makes no sense to me.
This phrase, meant to be welcoming and inclusive, is starting to bother me. It is used too much. It seems less authentic than it did before everyone started using it. So I got curious and went to Google and typed in:
Where did the phrase "Welcome in" originate, and why is everyone using it now?
This is the result:

The phrase "Welcome in" seems to have gained popularity recently, with some attributing it to corporate training manuals, Eater reports, hospitality training, or Southern vernacular. While the exact origin is unclear, it may be a more inclusive way of greeting than simply "Welcome". The phrase has been observed in various settings, including retail, coffee shops, and even medical facilities.

A deeper Dive:

Possible Origins:
The phrase's roots are somewhat murky, with theories suggesting it may have emerged from corporate training programs, hospitality training courses (like those by James Beard Award-winning chef Stephan Pyles), or even Southern colloquialisms.
Inclusive Greeting:
Some argue that "Welcome in" is a more encompassing greeting, implying that the person is welcomed into the space itself.
Spread and Popularity:
The phrase seems to have spread from certain industries, like retail, to other businesses, including coffee shops and even medical clinics.
Perception:
While some find it unnecessary or redundant, others perceive it as a more welcoming and inclusive gesture.
In essence, "Welcome in" appears to be a relatively recent addition to common greetings, possibly stemming from a desire for more inclusive and hospitable language.

Others have also been curious about this recently popular phrase, and there is even a discussion on Reddit. I imagine as time goes on, this phrase will become less popular, but in the meantime, it seems we will be hearing it more and more, everywhere, even from the unlikeliest sources.

What are your thoughts?