Culture 101: Part II

Neighbourly Visits:
Observation: My host family has a constant stream of visitors coming through their door. Showing up unannounced is completely acceptable and everyone is made to feel welcome. If you come at mealtime, you join the family as there is always enough for a few extras. But don't expect to receive your host's complete and undivided attention. If you arrive as they are fixing the next meal or doing other household chores, you sit down nearby and chat while your host continues with the task at hand.

Late Arrivals:
Observation: At Neema and Paschal's recent Primary School Graduation, students and staff were walking in and out until the program began. The invitation stated 11am – the actual presentations didn't begin until 12ish. Parents wandered in until just before the end of the official proceedings.
No one blinks an eye when you saunter in well after an event begins (even Sunday morning church service) or abruptly get up and leave during the event for whatever reason. You may or may not return. Things usually don't get started until at least an hour after the designated time, so there's no need to hurry.

Greetings:
Observation: People always greet each other as they pass one another or begin a conversation.
This sounds relatively simple until you realize how many different forms of greetings there are. It all depends on your age: if the one person is younger than you, they will greet you with "Shikamoo, mzee/ mama/ bibi/ baba/ bwana" (Greetings, elder/ mother/ grandmother/ father/ sir) and you reply with "Marahaba. Hujambo" (I accept your respect. How are you?) followed with a response of "Sijambo" (I'm well.). It's all about showing your elders respect; this goes for parents and children as well. (Conversely, if you are the younger person in question, you must begin with "Shikamoo"). Younger people have their own set of greetings ranging from "Mambo" – "Poa" to "Nipe tano" (Give me five), accompanied by a local handshake – no hugs. If in doubt, you can fall back on "Habari gani?" (simply, how are you?). As a guest, they'll forgive you your innocent mistake.