Tanzanian Etiquette

[Alexis Witt]

Interesting Rules of Etiquette

• Men never braid their hair. It indicates that he is gay, which is a huge taboo in Tanzanian and other African cultures.
• When people of the same sex are talking, it is common for people to touch each other. But when people of the opposite sex are talking, there is very little physical contact.
  
• It is inappropriate for women to smoke in public. Women who smoke in public are often seen as prostitutes.
  
• Dating is becoming more common with younger people in more urban areas. Some elders still see dating as promiscuous.
  
• Girls usually are expected to wear skirts (at least knee-length) rather than pants, especially in rural areas.
• Girls are also expected to wear modest shirts with sleeves
  
• Men never wear shorts
• You are expected to visit neighbors periodically (ideally several times per week)
  

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