No Burping Allowed

My foremost trepidation before coming to South Africa? Respectfully integrating myself into an unknown culture without having parts of my own culture coming out in ways that would offend the local culture. I knew this was inevitable and more or less out of my control and therefore was ‘OK’ with that. However, what I did not know was just how surprising some of the social cues that I would learn… or break.

Have you ever been sweeping and accidentally hit someone’s foot or leg? Now that person will never get married. Good work cupid.

Have you ever sat on a table? That means you are a thief. Nobody likes a thief.

Have you ever been sitting in a group talking and had your back to one of the people in the group? There really isn’t a consequence to this one, it is simply disrespectful.

What is worse a burp or a fart? Worse maybe isn’t the correct word, rather what is more acceptable? That’s right, farting. Of course neither is really accepted, but they would rather have you fart than burp. Naturally I have never had an issue with this, it’s not like I have been traveling and eating foods I am not accustomed to or anything.

Those are a few of the more interesting African cultural norms I have found myself infringing upon.

In the first few weeks of February I was fortunate enough to have my parents come visit. That means Lekgowa Hiking Tours had its first customers, all are welcome. Having been here for nearly six months now, I had gone from a tourist/outsider to, well not quite a local, but a local. It was interesting seeing their social cues and cultural norms from America again.

As we were doing a bit of touring, my parents decided it would be more economical to rent a car for their time here. If you don’t know, South Africa was an English colony, meaning we drive on the left side of the road. This caused for a bit of confusion on the roadways in addition to the interesting way people drive. One of the first things my dad noticed was a slow driver had moved halfway on to the shoulder but kept driving. This made him nervous. I, the local, knew he was simply moving over so we could pass without having to go into the oncoming traffic lane. Once we passed the other car, I told my dad to flash his emergency lights, thank you. The other driver responded by flashing his bright lights, you’re welcome.

Driving a car always causes one to end up at a petrol station, whether to fill the tank or grab a Magnum ice cream bar. At the petrol stations there are attendants who will fill your tank, wash your windshield, add air to your tires, check your oil, and even take your money or bring a credit card machine right to your window. You never have to leave the car! All of this is free of
charge, but remember it is a service industry. So you should leave a tip.

South Africa has several nice national highways. In order to pay for and maintain these highways there are, what seems like hundreds, tolls along the way. When pulling up to a toll, as you pay the cashier it is expected you greet the individual and ask them how they are doing. They will do likewise to you. This is not only the case at the tolls, but any individual you approach, one should say, “Hello, how are you?” Once you exchange this, then you can continue on with whatever your business may be.

My parents experienced all three of these social cues in just a few short hours of arriving in South Africa. Not bad for their first day. They didn’t have to worry too much about sitting with their back to anyone, sitting on a table, or hitting someone with a broom. Now the farting and burping issue, well I won’t go there…