African people attach great importance to etiquette, whether it is meetings, diet, or taboos, there are many things to pay attention to. So what business etiquette should you pay attention to when conducting trade transactions with Africa? Let me introduce to you the business etiquette of several African countries. I hope it can help you.
Egypt
Egyptian Etiquette Egypt is one of the more economically developed countries in Africa and Arabia. Its economy has always been based on agriculture, and its agricultural population accounts for 52% of the country's population. The land area is 1.002 million square kilometers. The population is 58.311 million, of which 87% are Arabs. Arabs believe in Islam, and Copts believe in ____
Clothes and Etiquette Egypt’s traditional clothing is the Arab robe. In rural areas, both men and women still wear robes, and many urban poor people also wear the robe. The robe is added to the body. In the late 1920s, Western clothing gradually entered Egypt. Local women like to wear earrings, bracelets, etc. In some remote areas, women still retain the custom of veiling when going out. Manners and Etiquette Egyptians are accustomed to standing close to each other when talking, and their eyes are on each other but not staring. They consider it impolite to greet people with their fingers. When entering the mosque, they should be respectful and pious, and avoid stepping on the prayer mats. Meeting etiquette: When Egyptians meet friends, they often call each other Afanti, which means sir. Originally, this title was limited to the royal family, but now it has been widely used. When Egyptians meet, they usually shake hands and then kiss each other on the face. There is also a local kissing ceremony.
Dining Etiquette The staple foods of Egyptians include rice, bread, etc., meat dishes include beef and mutton, and vegetarian dishes include onions, cucumbers, etc. Before eating, locals usually say: In the name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. When treating guests, the dishes are sumptuous and the atmosphere is warm. The host always hopes that the guests will eat more. Wedding and funeral etiquette Today's Egyptian weddings not only retain the traditions of the past, but also add the characteristics of the times. When someone dies in an Egyptian family, people are immediately sent to the homes of relatives and friends to announce the death. In the city, a man also beats a drum to announce the death. Egypt has 25 festivals a year, the most representative of which is the Nile Flood Festival.
Business etiquette
Local people do not like clothes with star patterns, so business activities should be conducted in English. It is best to conduct business activities in Egypt from October to April of the following year. In addition, the local working week is from Saturday to next Thursday, and Friday is an Islamic rest day. Travel Etiquette Cairo's subway is hygienic and safe, and the first carriage is exclusively for women. If you take a taxi, you don't need to pay by the meter. Negotiate the price before getting in the taxi. Buses are crowded, and buses in Cairo never close their doors while driving. Main taboos: Egyptians like green and white, but avoid black and yellow. They think 3, 5, 7, 9 are positive and 13 is negative. Due to the difference between the Islamic calendar and the Gregorian calendar, the timing of Ramadan varies every year. During Ramadan, you will be reprimanded if you eat, drink or smoke in front of locals.
South Africa
Social etiquette is black and white, mainly British. Black and white means: restricted by racial and religious customs, black people and white people in South Africa follow different social etiquette; mainly British means: during a very common historical period in South Africa, because white people controlled the political power of South Africa , Western social etiquette, especially British social etiquette, is widely popular in South African society. Nowadays, in business social occasions in South Africa, the common etiquette for South Africans is to shake hands when meeting people, and the people they interact with are mainly addressed as "Mr.", "Miss" or "Mrs." Among the black tribes in South Africa, especially in the vast rural areas, black South Africans often show different styles in social interactions. For example, they are accustomed to using ostrich feathers and peacock feathers as gifts to distinguished guests and precious guests. The appropriate way to receive gifts at this time is It is to put this precious feather in your hat or hair to show respect for the giver.
South African social etiquette can be summarized as "black and white" and "mainly British".
The so-called "black and white" means: restricted by race, religion, and customs, blacks and whites in South Africa follow different social etiquette; mainly British means: during a very common historical period, whites controlled the political power of South Africa. White social etiquette, especially British social interests, are widely popular in South African society.
At present, in social situations, the common meeting etiquette adopted by South Africans is a handshake, and they mainly address the person they interact with as "Mr.", "Miss" or "Mrs." Among black tribes, especially in the vast rural areas, black South Africans often show a different style from the mainstream of society. For example, they are used to giving ostrich feathers or peacock feathers to distinguished guests. The appropriate thing for guests to do at this time is to put these precious feathers in their hats or hair. Clothing and Etiquette In cities, South Africans' dressing styles are basically Westernized. In all formal occasions, they pay attention to dress dignified and rigorous. Therefore, when having official or business contacts, it is best to wear suits or group clothes with conservative styles and dark colors, otherwise it will be regarded as rude by the other party. In addition, black South Africans usually have the habit of wearing their own national costumes. Black people of different tribes. They often have their own different characteristics in clothing.
Dining Etiquette Local white people in South Africa mainly eat Western food on weekdays. They often eat beef, chicken, eggs and bread, and like to drink coffee and black tea. Non-blacks like to eat beef and mutton, and their staple foods are corn, potatoes, and beans. I don’t like raw food and prefer cooked food. South Africa's famous drink is Ruba tea. When visiting a black person's home in South Africa, the host usually brings freshly squeezed cow's milk or goat's milk, and sometimes homemade beer. Guests must drink more, preferably all in one gulp.
Customs and taboos South Africans who believe in ____ taboo the numbers 13 and Friday; black South Africans respect their ancestors very much, and they are especially taboo about outsiders being disrespectful to their ancestors. When talking to South Africans, there are four topics that should not be discussed:
1. Don’t make excuses for white people to judge their merits. 2. Do not comment on the relationships and conflicts between different black tribes or factions. 3. Don’t criticize the ancient habits of black people. 4. Don’t congratulate the other person on giving birth to a boy.
Libya
Customs and Etiquette: When Libyans meet guests in social situations, they usually shake hands. They serve to pass things or food around. In order to show their enthusiasm and welcome to visitors, they often give hugs and kisses. The clothing of Libyans is slightly more open than that of neighboring countries. Generally, men wear Arabic robes or suits, and women do not need to wear veils. The dress code of the free people of Dualegi in Libya is very strange. Men are required to wear veils, but male slaves are not allowed to wear veils. They have a poor sense of time and often cannot keep appointments on time. They love green. People regard green as a symbol of peace and prosperity, and believe that it can bring beauty and happiness to people. They prefer pomegranate flowers. It is believed that its flowers are as red as fire. People appreciate its beautiful shape and bright colors. They also regard it as a symbol of wealth and good fortune and call it the national flower. The general characteristics of Libyan people's social customs can be summarized in the following sentences: Libyans are ambitious, stubborn and resolute; they are forthright, cheerful and informal, easy-going and intimate with others; Islam is the state religion and they abide by the rules and teachings; green is generally popular Love,
Alcohol is forbidden for everyone; the people are sincere and loyal, civilized and polite.
Eating habits: Libyans often eat fermented flour cakes as their staple food. I like the traditional ethnic food "koskos" which is steamed in mutton soup with rice or flour, dried fruits and seasonings. It is also often served with tomato salad, onions, mixed peppers, boiled beans, sauce, etc. Meat mostly likes to eat beef and mutton. It is always customary to add some garlic to the soup. This is mainly because there are many diseases in the area where they live, and people often use garlic as an "elixir". They like to drink a kind of green tea with mint, sugar and lemon, thinking that it can quench their thirst and refresh themselves. They love to eat Western food and are accustomed to eating with their hands. They are also very interested in Chinese food. Libyans have the following characteristics in their food habits: They pay attention to the rich colors of their dishes, and they pay attention to the fresh, crispy and fragrant dishes. The taste is generally light and sweet. The staple food is mainly bread, and I also like to try Chinese assorted fried rice.
I like to eat beef, mutton, chicken, fish, eggs, etc. as non-staple food; I like to eat carrots, tomatoes, kidney beans, zucchini, onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, etc. as vegetables; I like to use pepper, curry powder, coconut oil, palm oil, and sugar as seasonings. wait. Preparation method Preference for dishes prepared by cooking methods such as pan-frying, grilling, roasting, stir-frying, and deep-frying. Chinese food Love Chinese halal food. Menu: I admire the cold platters, fried shrimps, stir-fried diced chicken, stir-fried shredded beef tenderloin, sweet and sour fish, crispy chicken, beef casserole, roast duck, curry beef, soft fried tenderloin and other flavorful dishes. Water and Alcohol Although Libya is a country that prohibits alcohol, some of them like to drink cold beer when they go to China; they are used to drinking cold boiled water, mineral water, coffee, green vegetables and other beverages. Fruits: Like to eat grapes, bananas, mangos, watermelons, melons and other fruits; like dried fruits: raisins, almonds, pine nuts, etc.
Taboos of faith: Libyans believe in Islam and use Islam as their state religion. They are taboo about passing things or food with their left hand. They regard passing things or food with the left hand as impolite or insulting. If you put on such a posture, they will mistakenly think that you are looking down on or insulting them. They taboo male guests give gifts to the hostess. I think this is a suspicious behavior. They prohibit women from wearing miniskirts and men from having long hair. Anyone who violates this rule will be severely punished. They are reluctant to make politics or other controversial issues the subject of small talk. The Bendu people in Libya strictly prohibit men from watching young girls dance. Violators will be regarded as "unlucky people" and will be severely punished. Libyans are taboo about dogs. Dogs are considered to be dirty animals that give people the impression of bad luck, plague, and disaster. In particular, using dogs as trademarks is even more disgusting. Libya is a country that prohibits alcohol. No one is allowed to drink, let alone drink in public places. Pork and the use of pig products are also prohibited. Some people don't eat spicy or seafood dishes.