Tanzania

Greetings

Men greeting Men – A handshake is appropriate in most situations. Handshakes tend to be energetic and very often linger a bit. 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 and/or bow is appropriate in most situations. If you would like to show great respect you may also place your left hand over your right elbow when handshaking and bowing. Handshakes tend to be energetic and very often linger a bit.

Meetings between Men and Women – Appropriate greetings depend on the nature of the relationship. If the man is Muslim a woman may bow and greet but handshakes are not appropriate. For all others a handshake and/or bow is appropriate but it is best to wait for the woman to extend her hand, otherwise a bow or a nod of acknowledgment will suffice.

Note: Greeting is an important aspect of the culture and is very lengthy, lasting anywhere from one minute to ten. Elders are very respected in Tanzanian culture and are always greeted by saying “shikamo”, whereas they reply “marahaba”. Also, always use your right hand when shaking hands.

Communication Style

• Indirect communication is considered much more polite than being direct and specific, especially when talking to superiors or your elders.
• You may find that people address problems differently. For example, instead of asking for help and then explaining specifically their reasons, they may tell you a 5 minute story about a problem they are having and only then begin to hint at the assistance you can give. If you do not want to/ are unable to help, you can simply answer vaguely with a polite but firm excuse and that should be sufficient.
• It is best in social and business interactions to not be too blunt about your problems/feelings/frustrations/ needs.
• Urban Tanzanians will be much more used to direct communication, but you should be cautious not to offend people by rushing to your point quickly without introducing the topic and “talking around it” for a few minutes.
• Humor plays a big role in communicating. Most Tanzanians enjoy a good joke.

Personal Space & Touch

• Personal space differs from place to place based on tribal and religious influences. Generally, an arm’s length or a bit less is appropriate. Personal space tends to be less between members of the same gender.
• When two people of the same sex are talking, touching is acceptable. It is common to touch the hands, legs, and shoulders.
• When two people of the opposite sex talk there is very little to no touching. The only appropriate touch is a handshake.

Eye Contact

• When talking to an elder, many people tend to look down out of respect.
• When talking between colleagues or friends direct eye contact is acceptable.
• Overly direct eye contact with a member of the opposite sex is usually interpreted as an intrusion of privacy or being rude. This is especially true with men looking at women.
• A woman who uses direct eye contact and smiles at a man for an extended time frame will most likely be interpreted as flirting. Similarly, looking and then looking away and giggling will very likely be interpreted the same way.

Gestures

• When gesturing or beckoning for someone to come, you should face your palm downwards and make a scratching motion with the fingers. It is considered very rude to beckon someone with the palm up. That is reserved for animals.
• Pointing to a person with one finger is generally considered rude (although it is sometimes unavoidable). It's best to point with the whole hand or in a slightly more vague manner.

Views of Time

• In most situations, Tanzanians have little to no concept of time and are not overly concerned with being punctual.

• In rural areas Tanzanians tend to give their time very freely. If you are living in a village it is expected for you to visit your neighbors numerous times per week, to sit and chat with them, and especially to eat meals with them if offered.

• Visiting a friend or neighbor often takes hours and you may find that they run out to purchase sodas or run to the kitchen to begin cooking ugali upon your arrival. This is less pronounced in urban areas where many people are employed in paying jobs (and therefore more strict with time).

• In business situations, time is less freely given. Important officials may require you to wait for hours before meeting them and they may only have a few minutes of time to spare. The waiting time partially is a demonstration of a person’s importance in society and it is best to be respectful and friendly even if you are frustrated. If you react with anger, the person will be less likely to help you.

• Once you have established a friendly relationship even in a business situation, you may find that your host has a whole hour to spare and even offers you soda or tea.

• The chances of a meeting starting on time are very slim. In many cases it can be up to several hours late.
• Public transport is usually not reliable when considering set schedules and the like.

Gender Roles

• Tanzania is going through a transition when it comes to gender roles; however, it is still a male dominant society.
• In rural areas women will most likely be housewives. They will be expected to cook, clean, do they laundry and take care of the children, as well as work their land.
• In urban settings it is more likely to find women who work and have a career.
• For women smoking in public is usually unacceptable. Women who smoke, drink at bars, and/or dress provocatively are often seen as prostitutes. This is more so in rural areas vs. urban ones.
• Foreign women are generally not held to the same standard as local women, but may be looked down upon if they engage in certain taboo behaviors.
• Foreign women, especially in urban areas, can be expected to dress slightly less conservatively and it is acceptable. (In a small town – though not a village - you could wear jeans whereas most local women will not, for example.)
• NOTE: that it is NEVER okay to wear shorts that are above the knee. Tanzanians are very polite and will not tell you that it is a problem. Furthermore, you may see other tourists wearing shorts. However, do not be deceived – everybody is watching you in a mixture of amusement and horror.
• If you are in rural Zanzibar or anywhere on Pemba, wearing a headscarf is not necessary (although all local women will be wearing them) but you will probably find that locals are much more friendly and appreciative of your visit if you do wear even just a lightly wrapped hair covering.

• Women tend to be be more demure about sex – declining at first but then agreeing only after some convincing. So if you decline to have sex with a man, do not be surprised if he continues to try to change your mind. Be polite, be firm, and he will get the message eventually.

Taboos

• In many rural areas and in Zanzibar it is usually unacceptable for women to walk around in shorts, or tank tops, and in some cases pants. Women are expected to dress in a modest way; skirts below the knees and shirts with sleeves. In urban areas guidelines are more flexible and women are seen wearing long pants
• For men it is inappropriate to wear short pants.
• Tanzanians do not use their left hand when eating, or touching another person. Never eat with your left hand, hand something to another person with your left hand, or handshake with your left hand. Also, do not touch anything with your left hand, such as produce at the market. Some people may not be as strict about this but most are.

• It is considered rude to let the bottom of one’s foot or shoe point at someone. Feet should also not be propped up on chairs or tables.

• Boys don't usually braid their hair. If you have braids and you are a man, it usually implies that you are gay, which is a major taboo in Tanzanian culture.

Law & Order

• The legal drinking age is 18 and is not heavily enforced

• Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

• It is illegal to wear camouflage clothing. A hat is probably okay but pants or shirts that are camo are not okay. Police can stop you at any time and demand that you change your clothes and that you pay a fine.

Dress

• Dress is highly valued in and people who dress well are respected.
• For Men- A suit is common for formal business situations. In rural areas, pants and a nice collared shirt are usually acceptable.
• For Women - A suit is common for formal business situations. If the business is done in a rural area it is more appropriate to wear a long skirt (below the knees).
• Jeans, shorts, and very revealing clothing are generally not appropriate in business situations.

Titles & Business Cards

• The most common titles are as follows: adult women "mama/Mrs." (mother), older women "bibi" (grandmother), younger women "dada" (sister), adult men "baba" (father), "bwana" (Mr.), or "mzee" (old man).

• It is best to use the surname when calling someone by name and wait to be invited to call someone by their first name.

• 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

• It’s best to show up on time for a meeting even though you may end up waiting.
• Most Tanzanians are aware that foreigners keep time well and make an effort to do so as well; however, do not be surprised or insulted if they are late.
• Higher ups are usually greeted first, then other men and lastly women. This may change if you are meeting in a more urban setting where western society is more influential.
• Small talk and greetings are an important aspect of Tanzanian society and you should start every meeting by greeting. This may take up to several minutes. Appropriate topics include family, children, home, work, etc.

• Do not be surprised by very formal opening and closing speeches, occasionally by a high-level government official. Speeches are common and, depending on the religion of the attendees and the region you are visiting, a prayer is also not uncommon.

• The person who is hosting the meeting should usually open and close the meeting.

Negotiations

• When it comes to prices you should always negotiate. Bargaining is acceptable and sometimes even necessary.

• Bargaining is expected at any street or market purchase and often in small stores. You should be friendly and polite and remember that the seller probably makes much less money than you do. However, the price will be raised substantially if you are clearly a foreigner. It is best to ask the price and then suggest a price that often is less than half of what was requested.

• When negotiating at the market or street, it's best to be firm and be willing to walk away – you might be followed and offered a better price. Enjoy the bargaining process, the fun is in the conversation.

Gift Giving

• Gifts are nice gestures and are appreciated but are not expected.
• A gift does not have to be something that cost a lot of money. Bringing something small from your country such as candy, a calendar, postcards, etc, is appropriate.
• Depending on the culture and tribe that you are with, you may find that community members ask you to bring back gifts when you go away, or ask you for gifts upon your arrival. This is actually common for some tribes of Tanzania to ask each other, so do not think that it is only because you are a foreigner.

• In some Tanzanian cultures, “Bring me a gift” is practically synonymous with “have a nice trip”. It doesn't mean that a gift is necessary, it is more a figure of speech. But if you are returning from a long trip and are on a bus in Tanzania, you can often buy something simple like pineapples or other fruit out of the bus window to give your neighbors and friends.

• Often any wrapped gifts will be put aside in public and only opened later in private.

In the Classroom

• Most colleges and universities run from January to December with 6 week breaks at the beginning of June and December.
• Dress at most schools is somewhat formal, where guys usually wear nice pants and a tucked in collared shirt. For women, long dresses or skirts and a blouse are common. It's best to avoid any revealing, ripped, or ragged clothing.

• At most schools there are no shorts allowed for men or women, no offensive or drug-related t-shirts, no skirts above the knee, no shirts that reveal bras or too much of the underarm. No dreadlocks and boys are not permitted to braid their hair.

• The grading system at most institutions is on an A-F or 0-100 scale with A/100 being the highest.

• Lecture is the most common for of teaching.

• Most schools use uniforms and cellphones are not allowed.
• You will find a lot of students in primary and secondary level of education speaking Swahili most of the time although English is a teaching language in secondary level.

Other Observations

• Visitors may feel hassled in tourist towns and other areas. One thing to remember is that you most likely have much more money than they do and, comparative to their culture, are much less giving of the money you have and this is hard for them to understand.