Exploring South Africa Culture Essay

on that point argon many countries that display various types and forms of intercourse, curiously in some countries of Africa. unitary of the most toured and rainbow diverse country in Africa is appargonntly southbound Africa. even so though most of the country is predominantly black, it is also known to be one of the most multicultural countries in the world. In fact, there ar many different ethnic groups that make up the countries population in urban aras. Also, it explain black people of southwestern Africa colonialism and immigration corroborate brought in white Europeans, Indians, Indo-Malays, Chinese and many more.The shell the thing to do is describe some of southbound Afri preempt gardening, customs, manners, etiquette, values in distinguish to understand the people better. You whitethorn be going to South Africa on business, for a visit or even hosting South Afri idler colleagues or clients in your own country. Remember, this is and a very basic prologue and is non meant to stereotype all South Afri bay windows you may meet South Africa can be described as a societal community that has a various types of communicational style, depending on the ethnic group or perchance the area At the same time they value human courtesy over materialism.People living in the city live their bread and butter in the fast lane, which affects their outlook. People from the city Johannesburg can quite oftentimes be regarded as having materialistic values, and being more concerned in what you own rather than who you are in general. They prefer to see themselves as urbane and their country cousins as less sophisticated. However, in rural areas family ties, semipermanent friendships and social standing are all important to South Africans.The many rural black communities and villages are calm down rooted in the traditions of their heritage, whereas the progressively urban black community combines their roots with the urban environment and world(prenomin al) influences that surround them. In order to be accepted by the volume of South African socialization, you must first understand their customs. South Africans are openly expressive when it comes to their customs. In fact, some of the countries customs are link up to the United States in a way.For instance, the United States and South African cope similar greetings, the English language and attires. When trying to get to know someone, South Africans, regardless of ethnicity, prefer meeting and greeting someone expect to face instead of imsomebodyal communication give care email, letter, or telephone. Greetings are easy and can include time for social conversations and the exchanging of them too. Currently, there are several(prenominal) greeting styles in South Africa, depending upon the ethnic heritage of the person you are visiting.When dealing with foreigners, most South Africans shake hands while maintaining tenderness contact and smiling (Kwintessential 2004). Some wome n of South Africa dont kindred to shake hands, usually they provide merely nod their head, so it is best to wait for a woman to extend her hand first. Men can also kiss a woman they know well on the cheek in place of a handshake something like France. sexuality can also play a role in communication in some parts of South Africa. Traditionally, South African women puddle held second-class status to men.African social structures are centered on men, leaving women powerless (Martinez,1). Basically this called Patriarchal. This is mainly the belief of social communities throughout the entire racial and ethnic population of South Africa. Women roles is to pay off and be the caregivers instead the household providers. Sometimes there are women in South Africa who have to follow their husband around or cannot go anywhere without them. Some inhabit to follow their traditional values in general are tribes and those living in villages.Sadly, Patriarchal societies remain prevalent stra ightaway in South Africa. Another form of the South African culture would be celebrations. Theres one event that is retaind in the South Africa called the Rainbow Cuisine (Hill, 1). The Rainbow Cuisine is meaningful and traditional to the country. It brings all ethnicity and culture unitedly by using music, dance, cultural food and turning it into a big festival something like Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl put together but bigger. In general, South Africans give kick ins for birthdays and Christmas like Americans.However, South Africans only celebrate two main birthdays 21 and 40 while Americans celebrate 16, 18, 21, and 50. Most South Africans birthdays are often noteworthy with a large party in which a lavish gift is given (Kwintessential 2004). It is common for several friends to contribute to this gift to help pay the cost. If you are invited to a South Africans home, bring flowers, vertical quality chocolates, or a bottle of close South African wine to the hostess (Kwint essential 2004). Wrapping a gift nicely signals excess effort. Gifts are opened when received.Just like the United States when you are invited to a South Africans household. A person must eternally arrive on time if invited to dinner. Its considered very rude to enter up late or dont even show up to an invited dinner. Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish. Every guest have to be in mundane wear or at least look respectable for other guest who are also invited and for the host as well. There are some ways to be appreciative of your hosts invite and thats to offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.Most South Africans feel well respected when someone show kindness towards them and their family, especially over their food. Gentlemen can also get away with wearing jeans or shorts at a dinner, but they have to be press and not wrinkly. So before arriving to the dinner it is always a good idea to ch eck with the hosts in advance. In the urban areas of South Africa, the casual is dressier than in other parts of the country so a person shouldnt wear jeans or shorts unless you have spoken to the hosts.Now, there is some comparison with South Africa and the United States on some issues. star would be is how South Africa and the United States are conducting business ties with each other. Apparently, South Africans want to maintain agreeable working protocol relationships, so they blackball confrontations. It is said that being imperative can help to develop shared trust before negotiating with someone in business. Another rule in companys or business negotiating it to never interrupt a South African while they are speaking.Interrupting can cause a huge fail between the buyer and seller, more over it can mess up business. South Africans strive for consensus and win-win situations. South Africans do not like bargaining over price, they believe in final decision- making. Decision-mak ing may be concentrated at the top of the company and decisions are often made after consultation with subordinates, so the process can be slow and protracted (U. S. Library of Congress). However, in South Africa women today still have yet to attain advanced professional positions.If you send a woman, she must expect to encounter some condescending behavior and to be tested in ways that a male colleague would not. Women big businessman have equal rights as men, however they are still handle unequally in higher business positions thats ran mostly by men, like in the United States. South Africa and the United States are practicing friendlier connections in many areas. More than 500 United States companies have more than US$5 billion in direct investments in South Africa in the mid-1990s, and trade between the two countries is increasing steadily (U. S. Library of Congress). disdain the alleged disagreements in government between the two countries, they both intimate to communicate and cooperate with each other by coming to communicatory agreements on how business should be ran. South Africa can be an overall great experience for any tourist. Their culture can be good understood by any ethnicity around the world. Hopefully South Africans will continue to expand traditions, culture, values, customs, and etiquettes in their country, despite diversity. The Rainbow nation will continue to shine their colors and will always be equally copulate to other countries, even the United States.