Africa

Africa has 54 countries and influenced by many other countries & cultures.

The North of Africa is referred to as the Francophone countries, where French is a widely used language.

The Muslim Religion is the predominant religion and overrides any country culture.

The United Kingdom colonized Kenya and South Africa, and the locals do not get offended by the British cultural gestures

The same applies to Angola and Mozambique as they were Portuguese colonies many years ago.

The Africans place a strong emphasis of respect on the social structure. There still is a strong tribal hierarchy social structure in many countries of Africa.

Nigeria

•—Introductions – Shake hands upon meeting someone and smile! – Sometimes men may place their hand on the other person’s shoulder during a handshake. Shake hands again upon departing. – Don’t shake hands with a woman unless she initiates it.

• Verbal : Spend time inquiring about the other person’s general well-being. To rush into conversation is extremely rude;

•—Eyes – Continuous and direct eye contact can be seen as intrusive. Gazing at the shoulder level or the forehead is considered polite.

•—Proximity – Touching when speaking is very common.

•Hands – Use your right hand to give or receive business cards, objects, contracts or money. The left hand is considered unclean.

– ‘Thumbs up’  is considered a very rude signal

South Africa

•South Africa is known as the rainbow nation, where many cultures reside.

•Introductions – A handshake is appropriate when meeting.

•Proximity – Public physical contact is common. Hugs and kisses on the cheeks is common among friends of both sexes.

– South Africans have a tendency` to touch during conversation.

•In the black community, persons tend not to point with a fixed index finger, however more of a bent index finger and do use two hands to hand over an object or business card, or one hand with the other clasping the giving hand.

• Note: The South African community is also made up of many religions therefore take note that religious gestures does take precedence over conventional gestures.