Differences in how we operate phone calls overseas and back home are influenced by the culture of etiquette.
Originating in French (i.e. “estiquette”) means sticking to rules as required by King Louis 14th’s court during the 17 century. A Swahili equivalent is “adabu” – itself hailing from Arabic “adab”…
When people from home call, the beginning seconds of phone time are led by “greetings”.
Overseas (Europe, USA, etc), time rules. Constant “pressure” in everyone’s psyche.
During the 1970’s we Tanzanians had a popular phrase levelled specifically at foreigners: “No hurry in Africa!”
Relax! The famous Kiswahili proverb, “Haraka haraka haina baraka,” drilled that mantra.
I recall visiting a Tanzanian family in Oslo, Norway in 1984. We, (I was in a band called Sayari), envied them. Luckily living abroad; posh car, big house, kids going to school, European food.
Ulaya!
“Not what you think,” the husband chided us, in Kiswahili.
“I am fed up and looking forward returning to Bongo.”
We were bewildered.
“Look!” The chap continued. “Life here is constant rushing. Stressful.”
Bingo.
No wonder “cigarettes and coffee” are common activities to “handle” stress, overseas.
And how does this affect telephone calls?
Twenty five years ago, not many Tanzanians owned them. If you called, it would be via a neighbour owning a phone.
SUBIRI AITWE!
You waited, counting time and money.
These days, we have WhatsApp -which- has halved costs. Communication is much easier. Alas, you might receive texts out of the blue.
Tanzanian caller: “Hello Michael, habari yako?…”
Overseas receiver: “Who is this?”
See THAT?
Normally, overseas callers could say: “Hello, Am I speaking to Ali? My name is John. Is this the right moment?”
Different etiquette.
Or sending a text first: “Hello, John here. When will be best time for a chat?”
Calls are planned.
Self introduction, asking for availability, last thing -greetings!
Back home even casual texting -expect- greetings first.
The other etiquette is speed.
Back home, speed is easygoing. Overseas, tempo is a cheetah.
“Hi!”
“Yeah.”
“I have an issue to talk. Let’s wrap it later OK? I am busy right now.”
Hangs up phone.
This appears as “brash, cocky, rude”, because in Africa – emphasis (“etiquette”) is good manners.
Kwifo Are? If you speak Kimeru.
