Acceptable Behavior

First-time visitors to foreign countries sometimes inadvertently insult locals with behavior that is acceptable at home; at the same time, they might be shocked by seemingly rude behavior that is considered okay in the country they’re visiting. In many cases, what’s rude in the U.S. is acceptable in Rwanda. Here are some examples:

-Talking on the phone in the middle of the night, while sharing a room (or even bed) with other people

-Picking your nose

-Pushing and shoving

-Refusing to wait in line

-Insulting people to their face (such as telling them they are fat or ugly, that you don’t like their clothes, that they don’t know anything, that they don’t work hard, or that you like their friend more than them)

-Putting your elbows on the table

-Asking people how much they weigh

-Asking people how much money they have

-Repeatedly calling someone every few minutes if they don’t answer

-Using phones at any time, including in church, at meetings, and during classes

-Not saying “please” or “thank you”

-Randomly asking people for things (ie, coming up to a random person on the street and asking them for money)

-Asking other people to a store buy you something, like crackers or gum

-Inviting someone to your house and then ignoring them, or even leaving to go somewhere else while they’re there

-Spitting

-Staring

Check back soon to find out what isn’t acceptable here!