July 2nd, Cont.

So...we just had our cross-cultural presentations. Basically each CBT group presented a certain cultural norm that is present in the US or in Tanzania. Our group teamed with another and we demonstrated collectivism vs. individualism. Tanzanian culture is collectivist-based. Lot's of sharing--people aren't possessive of things. Harmony is EXTREMELY important (they avoid conflict and won't tell you if they have a problem with you directly) and relationships are far more important than following a schedule. (That's why greetings are such a big deal here.)

Another interesting thing is that there are wedding committees here. Most family members/friends/neighbors/coworkers contribute things to the wedding. For instance, I could pledge 30,000 shillings or offer to provide a goat for the wedding feast. I'm kind of excited to be invited to a wedding at some point. I assume I will be over the course of the next two years. Apparently we can also expect marriage proposals. A couple of the girls have already gotten them. So far I've only been touched/photographed/invited into a couple houses. Should you enter a man's house alone the implication is that you will sleep with him, so I definitely turned that offer down. Here the sex cues are a lot more defined/indicate that is what they are looking for. Flirting isn't really "for fun" here. 

Here are some ways of indicating you plan on sleeping with somebody/would like to sleep with someone:

1. Shaking your"wowowo". Aka booty. 

2. Flashing your thighs/breasts.

3. Eating a banana or corn sexually. Apparently you can also chew gum sexually with some sort of suggestive tongue movements.

4. Showing your waist beads off. 

5. Passing in front of man multiple times.

6. Giving lot's of attention/gifts. 

7. The "wiggly finger" when hand-shaking. 

8. Kissing. 

9. Closing the door/being in a private situation with a man. 

10. Following someone and asking for their digits. 

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Other interesting facts about TZ. Sorry if these are repeats:

1. Sodas are very popular here. Sugar and grease are a big deal in general. 

2. Walking fast is just really weird to do. People walk very slowly, and don't seem to always understand why we as Americans don't just pay for a bus. (I REALLY prefer to walk.)

3. Some women wear pants, but usually they have on skirts or pants with a kanga (cloth wrap). Shoulders are usually covered, especially if you are a professional. 

4. A lot of things sold in stores or on the street are expired, so you have to check. I ate some expired cashews yesterday, but I'm fine. Well...mostly. I have been having some weird pain and intestinal problems, but I'm hoping those will go away. 

5. For you Spanish people, "parachichi" is the word for avocados. Translate and laugh.

6. People assume if you have a fever and flu-like symptoms that you have malaria. Clinics will often "test" you, but diagnose you before the test actually comes back positive. We have quick-response test kits for that reason. 

7. Bartering is a big deal here. I'm nervous about this because I'm not very good at it. 

8. Obama bubblegum exists. I also saw an "Obama" barber shop.

9. They use sunflowers to make sunflower oil. They're also really big on corn and chai tea. 

10. People burn their trash here. I burned mine with newspapers and several matches out in this bricked-in area in my yard. There is lot's of littering as well, but not much glass because all bars/restaurants keep glass bottles. You don't take them with you. 

11. Like in the US, things in town are much more expensive than they are in the village. Water costs 200 shillings more if I buy it in town. $1 = 1600 Shillings 

12. Apparently the dirty electricity here might fry my computer, so they advised us to buy this box that regulates electricity. An ICT guy came today and he has been electrocuted twice while here. 

13. People are intimidated by Chinese people because they think they all know kung-fu. 

14. People tend to be very short here. I'm actually average/maybe even tall for a girl. 

15. A lot of clothing from Goodwill is shipped here, so there are some really weird American shirts around. 

16. The mosquitos that transmit malaria come out at night and don't buzz. Apparently their bites also don't usually itch. I take anti-malarial pills once a week that give me crazy dreams, so I only have a 4% chance of getting the disease. Cerebral malaria is pretty frightening, and malaria kills a lot of children here every year (and adults.) 

17. When using the pit latrine, a pale of water is used to flush/wipe. Left hand wipes, and toilet paper is sold but not used by everyone. For instance, I have to bring my own at home. Some American-style toilets are used but not hooked up to plumbing, so they are also flushed with water from a bucket. Others are actually connected a plumbing system, and some pit latrines also flush that way. 

18. A lot of tourist destinations only accept American currency, not shillings. The park we are going to this weekend is one example.

19. It is okay to interrupt a meeting to take a cell-phone call. Cell-phones are pretty much always on.

20. Birthdays aren't really celebrated here very much. There are also no Christmas trees.