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Rwandans tend to communicate more directly in certain situations and indirectly in others. For example, people may ask whether or not you are married and/or have children, but may not directly voice their displeasure in a public setting.
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Rwandans may avoid telling the truth if it might hurt or upset the person they are speaking with. While it may be seen as lying by some, most Rwandans feel that they are being sensitive to the person’s feelings.
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It’s best to avoid asking about someone’s ethnicity, making any referral to the war/genocide, discussing politics, or sex.
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If you ask about someone’s family, be prepared to hear that many may have been killed. An appropriate response would be, “I am very sorry for your loss”.
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Good topics of conversation include: food, the Rwandan landscape, your home country, sports, and the weather.
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Humor plays a big role in communicating and most Rwandans enjoy a good joke. However, it is best to avoid sarcasm as it may not translate well, if at all.
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Rwandans tend to be very indirect, talking around issues instead of discussing them directly. Conversations are usually preceded by questions about the family, etc. and other niceties.
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It's a good idea to learn some terms in Kinyarwanda. A simple “Mwaramutse” in the morning (or “Mwiriwe” in the afternoon) will make people smile and open up to you. Rwandans enjoy meeting foreigners who make an effort to learn their language and culture, both of which are marvelous. Learning even a little will go a long way with them.
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