Zimbabwe

Greetings

For men greeting men – A firm handshake with the right hand is the most common form of greeting. Handshakes may linger a bit. Hugs and pats on the back are common when greeting family and close friends.

For women greeting women - In Cities: A handshake with the right hand is the most common form of greeting. Hugs are common when greeting family and close friends. In rural areas a hand shake with the right hand with a simultaneous slight genuflection is the norm.

For meetings between men and women – In Cities: A handshake with the right hand is common. In rural areas a handshake with the right hand followed by a small step backwards with a simultaneous slight genuflection when each person claps softly with cupped hands. The man’s hands are apposed in a parallel position whilst making a soft hollow sound and verbally greeting. The woman’s hands are apposed to right angles whilst making a soft hollow sound and verbally greeting. In some rural areas women kneel down and clap to the men, the men respond using a traditional clap.

Communication Style

• In Cities: Direct communication is preferred, addressing people by Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc. It's best never use first names unless invited to do so.
• Rural areas: Indirect speaking. For example, calling a women who has become a mother for the first time. Her first name is no longer used and thus she is called by using the name of her first born child, for example: “mother of Michael” (Amai Michael). In the case where the women becomes married and has no children, she may be called Amai (followed by her husband’s surname). The same goes for men.
• Personal questions about one's age, income, sexual orientation are fairly common. Avoid talking about local politics at initial meetings.
  

Personal Space & Touch

• Cities: Arms length or more of personal space is very important during conversations. In a family home, it's best never touch or put your arm on a married women ( if you are male). This would be seen as being disrespectful.
• Rural areas: Personal space between men and men, can be very close, even holding hands. Between women and women it can also be close as well. Between men and women, more than arms length is common.
• When feeling excited and happy during conversations, people may shake hands, hold hands, pat the back lightly. This would normally happen amongst friends of the same sex and people who know each other very well.
• There is little to no touching during initial and business meetings.

Eye Contact

• Direct eye contact is the norm in the business world in towns and cities. It is an indication of honesty, indirect eye contact is considered rude.
• However, in rural, if a man is speaking to a girl, for example, she avoids eye contact and tends to look in the distance or to the ground. This is a sign of respect. This is the same when the father speaks to his daughter, she would kneel and avoid eye contact.

Gestures

• The thumbs up sign usually means that every thing is fine.
• Pointing is done by using the index figure.
  
• Whistling is used to call someone or get their attention, to stop a bus or moving vehicle.

Views of Time

• In towns and cities, time in business is very important, however, for private functions, people are more relaxed and laid back. Take for example, a party beginning at 7pm. People may start arriving at 7:30 or 8:pm.
  
• Being late is never a big issue for such functions and people can easily accept that people will be late. Punctuality is valued but not made a big deal of. People do give their time freely, especially for social events.
  
• Transportation services rarely run on time.

Gender Roles

• Cities: The women’s role is still to take the lead in maintaining the day to day running of the home, cooking, cleaning, washing, as well as holding a career. Having children, ensuring that they are clean, fed and ready for the day. Managing the domestic staff team in the home.
  
• Women are expected to be role models for their children and society, where as men go out and have extra marital affairs and this is not made a big deal at all, instead this behavior is widely accepted as being normal. Men are still the head of the family.
• Rural areas: To have children, look after the day to day running of the home, ensuring that water is available for, drinking, cooking, cleaning. Being responsible and a role model to the children. Teaching the girl children how to manage and run a home from a very young age. Going to the fields, growing food to feed the family. Men go out to earn the money and relax at the end of he day, while women have to ensure that a meal is cooked and dishes are washed afterwords.
• Unacceptable behavior for women include: having an extra-marital affair, however, for men, its acceptable for him to bring along a second, third or even forth wife. If a foreign women, chooses to marry a man and live in the rural areas of Zimbabwe, she would be expected to confirm to the norms of that society.

Taboos

• Sticking the tongue out to anyone, especially an elderly person, is considered very rude.
• Making a ‘hissing’ sound or other sounds using the mouth is bad form.
• Licking the lips whist staring at someone of the opposite sex is an obscene gesture.
• Speaking to someone with your hands in your pockets can be viewed as rude behavior.
  

Law & Order

• The legal drinking age is 18 and it is enforced.
• Possession and trafficking of illegal drugs is a serious offense, resulting in fines, imprisonment, and/or worse.

Dress

• Businesspeople tend to dress well.
• For Men - Formal suits and ties. Darker colors are the way to go.
• For Women - Conservative yet stylish is a good choice. Avoid wearing overly expensive accessories, dresses/skirts cut above the knee, and sleeveless attire.

Titles & Business Cards

• Addressing people by Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc., is the way to go. Avoid using first names unless invited to do so.
• It's best to give and receive business cards with the right hand. Sometimes two hands are used.
  

Meetings

• Always show up on time to meeting as this gives a good impression.
• It's customary to greet whoever is closest to you or whoever you meet first.
• Allow the host to begin/end business discussions.

Negotiations

• It is best to be honest about price. Emotion may be necessary in some instances, but not always.
  
• Be calm and expect people to need some time to think things through before making a decision.

Gift Giving

• Gifts are not expected but appreciated. People would not be offended if a gift was offered, in fact, this may be a very positive gesture.
• Gifts from the top down are usually very much appreciated.
• Appropriate gifts include things from one's country that are not found in Zimbabwe.
  
• Gifts should be wrapped and are usually opened in private.

In the Classroom

• The school year usually runs from January to November. There are three terms in a year, each term lasting three months.
• Grades are usually given on the following scale: Distinction = 80%, Merit = 70% - 79% Pass = 50% - 69%, Fail = 49% and below.
  
• Students at most schools tend to dress well. Casual clothing is acceptable but it's best for women to avoid very short dresses/skirts/shorts/tank tops.
• Classes are taught using a mixture of lectures, group work and discussions. Depending on the course, experiential learning may be a possibility

Other Observations

• Be down to earth and understanding.
• Have some basic knowledge of the local language. E.g. good morning, good afternoon, good evening, how are you today? This creates a good start to doing business because you could be viewed as someone who was really interested in the people/country, not just the business side of things.