Once Around the World: alone as a young woman through Africa by Michaela Gruber - HTML preview

4.7 Other customs and cultures

You have to expect a slight initial culture shock on a backpacking trip to unknown countries. For this not to be too serious, you should already inform about the culture of your planned travel destinations, before you start your journey.

Especially the first days in a foreign country are the hardest, because you will have to deal with everything at once – different time zone, different climate, unknown food, foreign language, and completely different customs.

It is best to spend the days quietly and do it like me: first stay a few days in the same hostel, and watch your surroundings. How do people dress? Is it okay to walk around shoulder or knee-free, or should you better cover them? Just find out how the locals do it and then do the same. This way, you can avoid a bigger faux pas.

Also get tips from other travelers in the hostel, who may have been traveling longer, and talk to the hostel staff. Be open to new things and show respect for other traditions and behaviors.

Here are my most important findings in terms of customs and culture in Africa:

1. The shoes are usually taken off the front door. The houses are entered only barefoot.

2. If there is no cutlery to eat, only the right hand is used, because the left is considered impure.

3. In Muslim countries, both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees.

4. Do not wear clothes that are too tight.

5. Nude bathing and topless sunbathing are absolute taboos.

6. Women prefer to wear dresses and skirts in most countries. Pants are more for men. When I bought my first long skirt, I even loved it, as it was nice and breezy in the heat and also very helpful on long bus rides at the pee breaks on the roadside.

7. If locals invite you, small gifts are always welcome. It should not be money.

8. One should learn a few words – such as "hello", "please", and "thank you" – in the respective national language. This shows interest in the culture of the locals.

9. Do not point fingers at people.

10. Do not take pictures of people without first obtaining their consent.

11. It is appropriate to negotiate on local markets. But it should be fun and not end in a dispute.

12. Tips are usually not expected in the normal restaurants.

13. Monkeys should not be fed. When I was at the Victoria Falls, an aggressive baboon stole my lunch. He just tore the whole food bag out of my hand. Reasons for such behavior are probably tourists who feed the animals.

If you commit a small faux pas, do not worry about it, and just take it with humor. A lovely smile usually causes miracles to happen. After all, you cannot do everything right.

For example, the whole restaurant laughed when Alex and I ate Ugali with both hands, because for locals, the left hand is the unclean one. In such situations you have to be able to laugh at yourself and stay relaxed.

What also stupidly happened to me was that I forgot to take off my shoes when I entered a house. I did not notice my mistake until the hostess looked critically at my feet. If you then respond with an innocent smile and apologize, the situation is almost certainly saved.