Making Acquaintances: Do’s and Don’ts

Sample of Making Acquaintances: Do’s and Don’t’s (Country: Kenya)

LIST OF ‘DO’S AND DON’T’S’ Do 1. Greet Kenyans by shaking hands each time you meet them. In addition, it is considered respectful to grasp your right wrist when shaking the hands of an elderly, or higher ranking person. Lastly, when meeting members of the opposite sex, it is polite for a man to wait until a woman offers her hand first (“Kenya, Greetings,” n.d.). 2. Address men as “bwana” and men obviously over 35 years old as “mzee” to show respect. Women of all ages are to be traditionally addressed as “mama” (“United Nations Office at Nairobi,” n.d.). 3. Always politely and patiently ask after your acquaintance’s health and the health of their family, ideally by using the Swahili term “Jambo?”, or “How are you?” (“Kenya: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette,” (n.d.). 4. When invited to dinner at a private home, it is polite to bring the hostess a gift such as flowers or a dessert, and in rural areas it is polite to bring sugar or tea (“ Kenya Etiquette Tips,” (n.d.). 5. When dining, use formal table manners, wash your hands before and after dinner, and do not start eating until the eldest male at the table has begun eating (“Kenya: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette,” (n.d.). Don’t 1. Do not take photographs of people without getting their permission first. In addition, be prepared to pay for the privilege (“United Nations Office at Nairobi,” n.d.). 2. Do not dress sloppily or wear revealing tops or short bottoms in places other than the beach, as conservative dress is the norm (“Kenya Etiquette Tips,” (n.d.). 3. Do not get angry, swear, or blaspheme. Kenyans are a polite and non-confrontational people, and showing your temper is considered very ill mannered (“Kenya, Greetings,” n.d.). 4. Do not speak loudly, whether positive or negative, as it is considered insulting (“United Nations Office at Nairobi,” n.d.). 5. Do not point your finger at someone, or call them by curling up your finger or waving your upturned palm towards you. All of these gestures are deemed rude. Instead use your head to point to something and beckon with your palm up (“ United Nations Office at Nairobi,” n.d.). References Kenya, Greetings. (n.d.). Culture Crossing Website. Retrieved February 18, 2013, from http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details.php?Id=7&CID=107 United Nations Office at Nairobi. (n.d.). Cultural Do’s and Dont’s. Retrieved February 18, 2013, from http://dcs.unon.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126&Itemid=172&lang=e n Kenya: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (n.d.). Kwintessential Website. Retrieved February 18, 2013, from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/kenya.html

Kenya Etiquette Tips. (n.d.). Vayama Country Etiquette. Retrieved February 18, 2013, from http://www.vayama.com/etiquette/kenya/

REPLY TO DO’S AND DON’T’S Potential Positive Cultural Interaction Both the Israeli and Kenyan cultures embrace conservative dressing for men and women. Neither culture accepts revealing clothing and this would be a positive cultural interaction between the two countries. Potential Negative Cultural Interaction Kenyans, including members of the opposite sex, traditionally greet one another with a handshake. The more intimately acquainted two people are, the longer the handshake will be. Many Israeli men and women, however, do not ever shake hands unless they are wed. This etiquette difference would be unacceptable in Israeli, and therefore a negative cultural interaction between Kenya and Israel.