Mozambique

Greetings

Men greeting Men – A handshake with the right hand is common in most situations. Handshakes are often given with both hands or with the left hand touching/holding the right upper arm. Handshakes tend to be energetic and very often linger a bit. Good friends may engage in light hugs with pats on the shoulders. It is also appropriate for two men to walk hand in hand in public. This does not have any implication on their sexual preferences; it's just a sign of friendship and closeness.

Women greeting Women – A handshake, verbal greeting, or nod of acknowledgment is common in most situations. Good friends and family will often exchange kisses on each cheek.

Meetings between Men and Women – A handshake or nod of acknowledgment is common in most situations. In rural areas the nod is more common while in urban areas it is the handshake. Good friends and family often exchange kisses on each cheek.

Note: Greeting people is very important, even if you don’t know them

Communication Style

• Mozambicans tend to take a more indirect path when it comes to communicating.
• People are usually very leery of offending others, so true feelings may not always be spoken.

• People tend to be extremely direct in commenting about physical characteristics and personal attributes like how one looks, what they are wearing, etc. They’ll tell you you’ve gained weight or ask about the zit on your face. Complete honesty is the story.

• People tend to be indirect about meetings, attendance, and promises to complete a task. They will most likely give a time or an affirmative answer if they think that is what you’d like to hear. It is more polite to accept an invitation and not show up than to decline.

Personal Space & Touch

• Generally speaking, an arm’s length or a bit less of personal space is appropriate during conversations. Personal space tends to be less between members of the same gender.
• When two people of the same sex are talking, light touching is acceptable. It is common for two men to walk hand in hand in public. This does not have any implication on their sexual preferences; it's just a sign of friendship and closeness.
• When it comes to waiting in lines. Mozambicans tend to stand very close, even brushing up against one another and thinking nothing of it.
• When two people of the opposite sex talk there is very little to no touching. The only appropriate touch is a handshake.
• It is inappropriate to touch someone’s leg during conversations unless you know them well.
• For women, unless you are dating a man (or want to date the man) or married to him, it is best not to touch him during conversations because he will most likely take it to mean that you are interested in him.

Eye Contact

• In general, direct eye contact is acceptable among member of the same gender and social status.
• When talking to an elder, many people tend to look down out of respect. This can also be true with women when speaking with men.

Gestures

• People beckon one another by holding the hand palm-side out and bringing the fingers down towards your palm in a scratching motion.
• People often hiss (psst) to get someone’s attention.
• Holding one's hand in a fist and covering it with the other hand open, means “enough”.
• Use both hands to give and receive objects, and never use only the left hand.

Views of Time

• Mozambicans tend to give their time freely. People love to be with people, having fun, visiting, spending time together—it is a very communal society. People seem to think it sad if you are spending time by yourself---even if you are reading, they prefer you do it in a room with others.
• In terms of punctuality, it is expected in most professional situations but in social situations it is not generally a priority.
• Trains and buses do not usually run on time. Buses don’t run according to any fixed schedule, they leave only when they are full to the max. There are times when a train is due, but you usually never know how late it will be.
• Socializing is a huge part of Mozambican society and takes precedence over set schedules and deadlines. For example, if you don’t stay for tea it is very rude, even when you have other obligations.

Gender Roles

• In the rural areas, a woman’s role is generally taking care of the home, cooking, etc. However, some women have employment and many work in the fields more often than men.
• In the urban areas, more women tend to work but many still stay at home and take care of the family. The further from the capital, the more traditional the roles are.
• Women are not seen drinking in public as frequently as men.

• Women usually cover their thighs as the thigh is seen by many as a very private part of the female body.

• It is often expected that foreign women will behave differently.

• In general, women have little say when it comes to reproductive rights. HIV is a big problem throughout the country, but it’s not common for Mozambicans to use condoms.

• Condom negotiation is a huge women’s rights topic because traditionally when it comes to sex, it is not acceptable for a woman to deny the husband or ask any questions. If he’s been sleeping around and is sick she is still expected to have sex with him and possibly become infected.

Taboos

• It is rude to visit someone and not stay for tea and a snack.
• It is impolite to refuse food if offered.

Law & Order

• Police presence is heaviest on the roads: laws regarding driving are enforced, but often only to extract a bribe.
• It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings and to drive on the beach. These laws are enforced.
• Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Dress

• For Men – A suit or nice pants and collared shirt and tie is appropriate in most situations.
• For Women - A suit or a dress with a blazer is appropriate in most situations.

• Clean well-ironed attire is important.

Titles & Business Cards

• Titles are important, especially when dealing with members of the government.
• It is best to use a title plus the surname when calling someone by name and wait to be invited to call someone by their first name. Most common is O Senhor (Mr.), A Senhora (Mrs./Ms.)
• There is no set protocol with the giving and receiving of business cards but it is always advisable to give and receive cards with the right hand.

Meetings

• Business meetings rarely begin on time, however it is a good idea for a foreigner to be punctual.
• It's important to greet the most senior individuals first.
• Small talk always precedes any formal conversations. It's appropriate to inquire about one's health, families, etc., before dealing with business.
• The discussion usually begins with the person who initiated the meeting and the meeting is usually closed by the most senior person in the room.

Negotiations

• Bargaining is expected and locals will often give foreigners marked-up prices. 2 or 3 times the actual price is common.
• At the markets and bazaars it’s best if you like something to remain calm and pretend you don’t like it, start to walk away and wait until they call you back. Then you’ll get a good price.
• In formal business negotiations it usually takes a long time to come to a decision and there is usually a lot of give and take.

Gift Giving

• Gifts are generally not exchanged at initial business meetings.

In the Classroom

• The school year usually begins in late January or early February and ends in November or early December.
• Some students are required to wear uniforms and all should be dressed neatly and professionally.
• College students don’t dress down, it would be rare to see someone in sweats or similarly casual clothing. Nice pants or skirts/dresses with a nice shirt or blouse is common
• Although this is beginning to change, lecture is still the most common form of teaching. Most students have very little experience when it comes to working in groups and creativity and outspokenness has always been discouraged in the past.
• Students NEVER question a professor’s knowledge, even if they know it’s wrong.
• Grades are usually given on a scale of 0-20. A failing grade depends on the institution but the average is often around 10-12. 15 is considered very good.

Other Observations

• Watch out for how people drive in the cities. They may hit you if you don’t get out of the way.
• There is no tipping at restaurants but it is a nice gesture to tip anyway.

• Ask permissions before photographing people.