The book African Friends and Money
Matters by David Maranz is a book that I found to be very helpful when
learning about how the Western and African cultures differ when it comes to
money, friendship, solidarity, managing money, asking for help etc. The book
contains 90 different phrases with explanations about how the Western and
African views on certain topics differ. I will provide you with a few examples
of phrases from the book and how I experienced them here in Chad.
1-If
something in not being actively used, it is considered to be “available”.
One evening, I was going to put my bike
away for the night in the cellar when I realized that it was missing. I asked
different family members who all told me that they were unsure as to its
whereabouts. I finally thought that someone must have stolen it. Later in the
evening it was brought back by a cousin who had been using it.
2-Many
products are purchased in very small amounts even though the unit cost is much
higher than for purchases in larger quantities.
This happens in many forms- moto taxis will
stop at the side of the road and buy one litre of gas, we will go to the store
and buy 4 small seasoning tablets (instead of buying a bag of 100 for cheaper),
people will buy small quantities of sugar for the day.
3-A
network of friends is a network of resources.
It is important to have a large amount of
friends/acquaintances as this provides you with people you can go to if you
have a need. Chadians have many friends, and they continue to keep growing
their circles larger and larger.
4-Africans
are more hospitable than charitable.
If someone comes over to your house, it is
expected that you bring them water to drink. If there is food available you
will also serve them some food. Being hospitable in your home is very
important. In African Friends and Money Matters, it makes the comparison
that Africans are more hospitable than charitable and North Americans are more
charitable than hospitable. North Americans give freely of their money but
would be surprised (and maybe even a little annoyed) if someone showed up at
their house regularly unannounced.
5-Showing
solidarity with friends at such times as funerals, naming ceremonies, feast
days, and weddings is extremely important. This is primarily done by attendance
at these events and by contributing financially.
I have attended a number of weddings,
funerals and dowry ceremonies this year and it is obvious to see the importance
of coming together to celebrate/mourn. My host mother is often going to the
homes of people who have lost a love one to keep company and show solidarity.
6- The
collection of debts is primarily the responsibility of the creditors, not of
borrowers to volunteer payments.
Once upon a time, Maddie had a phone
charger that she was not using. My phone charger happened to break and so I
thought I would ask Maddie for hers so I could use it instead of buying a new
one. She told me that she had recently lent it out to a student from school who
had told her she would return it the next day. A couple days later when she
inquired, the student said that she had lent it to another student. When Maddie
asked that student, he said that he had lent it to a friend. At this point, I
gave up and bought a new phone charger.
7-The
relationship between a seller and buyer may well affect the price asked and the
price paid for a good or a service.
As a white person trying to buy certain
items from time to time, I get someone who tries to get a good deal. Now
sometimes I know the correct price, and will wait for that to be given, but at
other times I get stuck paying more, or getting less than I should for X
amount. It is important to build relationships with the sellers as a buyer. My
family always goes to the same butcher in the market when we want beef. When I
ventured there to buy meat for the family, he recognized me and gave me a fair
amount for the price.
8- Bargaining
for a better deal in any transaction involves important social as well as
economic factors.
In Chad bargaining is a part of life, and
it is expected. The original price that is stated by the seller and the
original price stated by the buyer may be very different. Slowly but surely
they make their offers closer and closer to each other’s until both parties are
happy.
9- When
a customer is told that an ordered article or service will be ready on a
specified time and date, it is unlikely to be ready at that time.
I have found this to be especially true
when I order something to be made at the tailor. I am given a date to return
and when I return on that date (or even later) my dress/skirt/shirt/etc. is not
quite finished.
10- Change
is frequently a problem in business transactions.
In Chad, having the correct change is very
helpful when buying things, as I have been told that there are many large bills
but not enough small money to go around. Therefore if you try buying something
small with a large bill, you will either be outright refused, or you may have
to wait 10 minutes for the seller to try to find change from other vendors.
