Learn English – Term for someone who does more for strangers than family for friends

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Is there a word to describe (from a family or friend's perspective) a person that would go out of their way to do more for a stranger than for their family and friends.

I am also wondering if there would be different words if the reason or motivation for doing this is different, e.g. if this person's family is rich and doesn't need money so they give money to other people to help them out, or if this person doesn't feel close to their family (or treats them the same as strangers).

Best Answer

Theoxeny I recall this term from Greek mythology, but I don't know of it equates to love of strangers compared to family

[1]: http://Xenia (Greek: ξενία, xenía, trans. ... Theoxeny or theoxenia is a theme in Greek mythology in which human beings demonstrate their virtue or piety by extending hospitality to a humble stranger (xenos), who turns out to be a disguised deity (theos) with the capacity to bestow rewards.

Xenia (Greek) - Wikipedia

What the OP describes is an extremely common psychological phenomenon. I'm interested if there's a more specific answer.