Vanuatu

Greetings

Man greeting Man – A handshake is the preferred form of greeting; there is a traditional handshake that most Ni-Vanuatu men perform with each other that involves the fingers and a snap – most will gladly teach it to visitors if they want to learn.

Woman greeting Woman – A kiss on each cheek is usually exchanged between women who know each other; a handshake is exchanged between women who aren’t as familiar

Man greeting Woman – Older women (called Mamas, whether you’re related or not) usually give a kiss on each cheek to younger males or females (if familiar or a special guest), otherwise, a handshake between genders is typically the accepted greeting.

Communication Style

• The Ni-Vanuatu have found an interesting balance between blunt and evasive. When asking a question, Ni-Vans tend to be very direct, even to the point of, in North American terms, nosiness.
• They usually feel no qualms with asking direct, sometimes embarrassing, questions of even strangers. However, when answering questions, it is perfectly acceptable to be evasive. For example, if a Ni-Van asks you “Where are you going?” it is perfectly acceptable to answer, “Nowhere; I’m just walking around,” whether you are simply ambling along or are actually on your way somewhere.
• In addition, gossip is rampant in Vanuatu, especially since most people live in small villages and know the gory details or who, what, when, where, why, and how. You will hear this gossip referred to as “The Coconut Wireless,” and beware, for as a visitor, you will be the number one topic of the “Wireless” as soon as you arrive, should you choose to visit a village. But don’t worry, the gossip is usually harmless, just full of curiosity about a new visitor.
• Since those in small villages are accustomed to knowing everything about everyone, they will assume that you are fair game as well. In the larger cities (Port Vila and Santo), this is somewhat different, but not completely. Even shopkeepers may inquire as to your personal life in casual conversation.

Personal Space & Touch

• Personal space doesn’t tend to a concern of most Ni-Vans.
• When sitting next to someone while speaking to them, don’t be surprised if a Mama (older woman) places a hand on your knee (if you’re also a woman) or if a man puts his arm around you (if you’re also a man).
• Children will caress your hair, rub your arm, or lie in your lap while listening to you talk. These actions may seem strange at first, but will eventually become endearing forms of affection if you allow it.
• One note of history: when a Caucasian visitor first arrives on the islands, children may be afraid of him/her. This is because their parents use the scare tactic “The white man will stick you!” to make them behave. This stems from times when missionaries first came to the islands with doctors to inoculate the islanders against certain diseases. But don’t fret, if Caucasian visitors persist with niceties, the children are very quick to let their curiosity overcome their fears.
• Typically touching between sexes isn’t done in public, even if the man and woman are married. In many Western cultures, men and women sometimes pick and play with each other harmlessly, but in Vanuatu, that is only done in privacy and could cause you to become the hot topic on the Coconut Wireless.
• It is not uncommon to see two men walking down the road holding hands with their wives walking behind them, laughing and chatting. It may seem an odd picture to some, but this is merely acceptable contact between men; so don’t be alarmed if you’re male and a Ni-Van man comes to grab your hand while you walk down the road together.

Eye Contact

• Direct eye contact is usually expected, but not always required.
• When speaking with a chief, a bow is expected, especially if you are presenting him with a gift.

Gestures

• When beckoning someone, the common gesture is as follows: palm facing down waving the fingers toward yourself.
• When hailing a taxi or bus: arm up in the air, like in many Western countries.
• If you ask a yes or no question and get a small eyebrow movement upwards, this means yes. This is a slight movement and if you’re not paying attention, you could miss it.
• Another expression that could be misunderstood is the sound “uh uh,” as in how we might say “no.” This sound in actually means “yes,” which can be quite confusing to foreigners. It's best to keep both of these things in mind when asking yes or no questions.

Views of Time

• Time in is referred to as “Island Time.” This term means that the clock does not command the people. People are accustomed to a relaxed atmosphere and are not rushed for anything.
• Meetings may have set times, but most people know not to expect it to start at that time. If you have a meeting set to begin at 3pm, just relax because it probably won’t actually start until 4 or 4:30. This may be a frustrating habit for many foreigners, but there’s usually no changing “Island Time.”

Gender Roles

• Women are expected to maintain typically female roles: cooking, cleaning, taking care of children, weaving, etc. In some instances, men also cook and weave, but generally women fill these roles. These are the expectations of women in the villages, whereas many women living in the cities hold jobs.
• Though these jobs may also seem stereotypical (teacher, waitress, housekeeper), just having a job for a Ni-Van woman is quite an advancement.
• Foreign women are expected by the Ni-Van people to be more advanced in society.
• One very important thing for foreign women to remember in is the dress code. Women in don’t show their legs above the knees. They wear westernized clothing, but their dresses and skirts are all at least knee length.
• It is considered disrespectful to yourself and to the culture to dress in short skirts, dresses, or shorts.
• Men, however, do not follow the same dress code. The rule for men is usually anything goes.

Taboos

• It is considered rude to walk upright between two people, whether they are talking or not. Usually if you have to make your way between people, you are to bend your knees and bend forward while walking.
• This position is also required when entered a place late. You are never allowed to walk between the chief and someone to whom he is talking. This is considered a direct insult to the chief.
• If a neighbor/friend gives you a plate with food, you are required to return that plate also filled with some type of food. This is a form of “thank you” and it is considered rude if not done.
• Women in don’t show their legs above the knees. They wear westernized clothing, but their dresses and skirts are all at least knee length. It is considered disrespectful to yourself and to the culture to dress in short skirts, dresses, or shorts.
• There is no bargaining in and as prices are quite reasonable, there really is no need to bargain. Ni-Vanuatu may actually find it insulting if one tries to bargain with their prices.

Law & Order

• There is no drinking age in Vanuatu, but the locals tend not to drink alcohol. Most Ni-Vanuatu drink the country’s national drink: Kava. This juice comes from the kava root which is ground up and then squeezed to collect the juice. It looks and tastes like muddy water, but provides a very calming effect.
• The two most important rules when drinking kava are drink before you eat and beware not to drink too much. Breaking one or both rules will usually result in very adverse effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
• Ni-Vans drink kava instead of alcohol mostly because with alcohol they tend to get raucous and lewd, while kava keeps them mellow. In the cities, nakamals (kava bars) accept both men and women, while in the villages, they tend to allow only men. Women in the villages can still drink kava if they choose, but they have to go to a window and get theirs “to go.”
• There is also no smoking age. As with kava, the smokers tend to be men more than women. However, there are some women who smoke in the privacy of their own houses, but rarely in public.
• Foreign women can smoke in public, but it is still looked down upon by locals. In the cities with modernization, anything goes. You will typically see foreigners drinking alcohol and smoking freely, but this is much less the case in the villages.
• Penalties for possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in are strict and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

In the Classroom

• Ni-Vanuatu teachers instruct mostly through lecture. However, with an influx of Peace Corps volunteers, CUSO volunteers, and other foreign organizations, teachers are now being instructed in various methods of teaching.
• Vanuatu has three national languages (Bislama, English, and French), so classroom instruction can be a bit confusing to a visitor. Most schools in the south teach classes in English, whereas most schools in the north teach classes in French. Bislama is the lingua franca but is not used for instruction in schools. Therefore, in the universities, some classes may be taught in both English and French, requiring multi-lingual professors and/or students.

Other Observations

• There is no tipping. Wait staff don’t work for tips; they get paid regular wages.
• Ni-Vanuatu are always happy to welcome visitors, therefore a foreigner is considered an honored guest. This honor provides him/her with some special privileges. For example, as a woman, you may not be allowed in the village nakamals (kava bars), as these are considered “for men only.” However, as a foreigner, you will usually be considered an honored guest and therefore welcomed into a village’s nakamal by invitation of one of the village chiefs.
• As with most cultures, it is advised that visitors at least try local foods. It is okay if you don’t like the food, but you may be accused of not liking all “island kakai” (island food).
• If you are a meat-eater, one dish to add to your must-try list is tuluk (pronounced “toolook”). It is a twist on the lap lap dish with beef in the center. If you are a vegetarian, try the cimboro (pronounced “simboro”), thin lap lap wrapped in island cabbage. Also, you will never tire of the many varieties of tropical fruits; in, papaya is called “popo” and the grapefruit is called “pomplemouse,” which is very sweet as opposed to the more common sour varieties.
• Malaria medication is a must. If you will be in for longer than a few days or weeks, make sure to take some sort of malaria medication. This illness is fairly prevalent in and though it may only be deadly in rare occasions, it can certainly keep you out of commission if caught. Check with your doctor for the appropriate medication when traveling to for any length of time.