Search Results for Category: Africa

Welcome to Nigeria!

 ”When Nigeria sneezes, the rest of the African nations (with the exception of South Africa) catch cold.” Along with South Africa, Nigeria is considered a super-power in the African continent. It is the most populous nation in Africa, and is the Africa’s largest oil producer and second largest economy. Although its tourism is still fragile since Nigeria suffers from a reputation of being corrupt and prone to violence, the travelers do report that the Nigerian are friendly and generous. Nigeria is a culturally and religiously diverse country with 250 tribes, where tribe and ethnic affiliation is important. Be sure to be sensitive to these differences, respect the local customs, learn the following Nigeria travel tips, taboo, dos and donts, to make a safe and pleasant trip to Nigeria.

Nigeria Travel Taboo

It is taboo to ask the size of a man’s herd in Nigeria Yoruba society.
Transvestism and homosexual practices are prosecuted.

Nigeria Travel Donts

• Do not  use your left hand at all, as it is considered unclean. Do not eat with it, do not give or receive a present or objects with it. Using the right hand only or both hands.
• Do not rush a greeting without inquiring about the other person’s general well-being, which is considered extremely rude.
• Do not step on anyone’s toes.
• Do not show indifferent facial expression which indicates ignorant or obnoxious. Nigerians prefer facial expressions that imply empathy and believe an expression.
• Do not keep constant and direct eye contact, which can be seeing as being intrusive.
• Do not ever criticise Nigeria or Nigerians, no matter how much a local may do so. Be polite and conservative in your actions, although in many cases, the politeness can easily be mistaken for weakness.
• Do not  try to wear Nigerian clothes. They are beautiful, but Nigerians think they look stupid on other nationalities.
• Do not travel alone. Go around in a group, and do not let anyone touch or intimidate you. Voice anger if necessary.
• Do not discuss or make generalizations about religion in Nigeria. Nigeria is a religiously diverse country, maintain an open mind.
• Do not feel obligated to leave tips. Tipping is optional in Nigeria.

Nigeria Travel Dos

• Do shake hands with a warm, welcoming smile with everyone, as a customary, on meeting and departing. Muslims will not generally shake hands with members of the opposite sex.
• Do have cash on hand to help negotiate either a good purchase or a bad situation. Bribery is still common throughout the country, handing over a few dollars could save you from unexpected troubles. Leave your credit cards behind to prevent from the fraud.
• Do take an extra copy of your passport which may help in some situations in case yours are taken.
• Do dress casual, although modest wearing required in the northern Muslim areas, particularly for women. A lightweight suit and tie are only necessary for businesspeople on formal meetings.
• Do respect the elders, and lower your eyes or bow when meeting an elder. Nigeria is a hierarchical society, and the extended families are the norm and the backbone of the social system in Nigeria.
• Do address people initially by their academic, professional or honorific title and their surname, unless invited to call someone’s first name.
• Do try eating with your hands! You will be given finger bowls and towels to keep clean. If you’re uncomfortable eating with your hands, then ask for utensils.
• Do bring fruit, nuts or chocolates for the host if invited to dinner at someone’s home. A gift for the children is always welcomed. Do compliment your host’s home and belongings.
• Do say that a gift came from your wife, sister, mother, etc. female relative, if you’re a man giving a gift.
• Do understand that Nigerians communicate with a lot of gestures and body language, pay attention to non-verbal cues when conversing.
• Do bargain at a market. You can usually get the price down by 50%. But do not walk away without buying something after you’ve agreed on a price with the merchant.

© 2010 traveltaboo.com

Welcome to Morocco!

Situated in the southern part of the Mediterranean, Morocco boosts many extraordinary sights and scenes. The multi-ethnic character of the culture of Morocco derived from a mixture of Arab, African, Islamic, Berber and European cultures, customs and beliefs. Morocco is an Islamic country, their religion is an integral part of their culture. As a tourist, you will encounter the Muslim practice throughout the country. Your trip to Morocco will be much more rewarding and enjoyable if you know what to expect and respect their customs and religious restrictions. The following Morocco travel tips, taboo, dos and donts are important to bear in mind before travelling to Morocco.

Morocco Travel Taboo

Prohibition on visiting mosques unless you are a Muslim.

Morocco Travel Donts

• Do not offer alcohol to a Muslim unless you are in a bar or they are already imbibing.
• Do not eat or drink in public during Ramadan which is extremely rude.
• Do not offend the Moroccans with your revealing clothes. Muslims dress conservatively.  Both men and women usually cover their bodies completely except at the beach.
• Do not carry a Bible in Arabic or involve in any such activity that upset the religious sentiments of the people.
• Do not eat communal food with your left hand, as this is used for personal hygiene. The right hand is used for greeting and eating.
• Do not carry large amount cash in hand; use the traveler’s cheques instead.
• Do not enter a taxi without meter or agreed taxi fare.
• Do not get involved in any kinds of drugs; even the penalties for possessing small amount of drug are very harsh.
• Do not buy water or orange juice from the main square as outside shops are cheaper.
• Do not take pictures of snakes/ monkeys/ dancers without paying.
• Do not drink alcohol in view of a mosque which is considered highly disrespectful.
• Do not visit during the month of Ramadan when the faithful fast each day until sunset, although you won’t be expected to fast, and in most larger towns and cities you are able to find places to eat during the day.
• Do not travel to the Western Sahara region of Morocco due to the presence of landmines. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings.

Morocco Travel Dos

• Do learn a little Arabic. Although everyone speaks French there, a few native words will go a long way.
• Do greet with a handshake and friendly inquiries about health, happiness and family pleasantries.
• Do wear decent cloths. Although casual gear is widely acceptable, wearing any clothing that reveals arms or legs is disrespectful except in the beach or poolside.
• Do be patient and chatty. Moroccan chattiness makes everyday interactions more pleasant. When offered tea, it’s polite to at least take a sip.
• Do avoid large gatherings. Keep a low profile and do not be proactive.
• Do be careful when someone approaches you without an invitation in case they take advantage of their naiveté or rip you off.
• Do bring tissues with you for toilets.
• Do prevent from sexual harassment if a woman travelling alone. Pretend to know your environment, walk purposefully and avoid unnecessary eye contact.

© 2010 traveltaboo.com

Welcome to Mauritius!

The soul elevating and the boundless beauty of Mauritius is Africa’s wealthiest city, a fascinating paradise on earth with the beauty of azure sky, turquoise sea, the pristine, serene beaches, and the gleaming sands. The island is loaded with historic sights, cultural diversity, geographic variation and almost limitless activities besides natural beaches, the mountains, forests and green nature reserves. Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions, constitute of Hindus, Creole, Chinese, Muslims and Europeans, who respect each other and enjoy different ways of life with different traditions and customs. So for a tourist, it’s important to respect their values and not to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong attitude. The following Mauritius travel tips, dos and donts will provide a guideline for this.

Mauritius Travel Taboo

Talk about sex and pornography in Mauritius is taboo.  The state does not allow pornography of any type on the island even erotic is a taboo. 

Mauritius Travel Donts

• Do not wear shorts, mini-skirts or sleeveless shirts when visiting religious shrines.
• Do not touch the statues, carvings and religious artefacts in places of worship.
• Do not sunbath topless. Sunbathers should note that nudism and topless sunbathing are frowned upon on public beaches. No hotel permits nude sunbathing on beaches.
• Do not involve in drug trafficking which is illegal and carries very heavy penalties.
• Do not go alone to isolated locations or on deserted beaches at night, although Mauritius remains a safe place with a low criminality rate.
• Do not leave your valuables and important documents in a rented room, nor leave your personal belongings or valuable items such as camera, purse, wallet, or handbag unattended in public places.
• Do not swim in the sea where a danger notice is displayed.
• Do not accept lift from strangers, especially if you are alone.
• Do not make jokes about bombs or security threats. This is a criminal offence.
• Do not be surprised to see girls holding hands together. In Mauritius, female friends often hold hands while walking and touching. 

Mauritius Travel Dos 

• Do shake hands. Handshaking is the customary form of greeting, although friends and family commonly share a kiss on each cheek.
• Do address properly. In most hotels, walking around in surfer shorts or bathing suits after sunset is simply prohibited. Mauritian women are very conservative.
• Do remove shoes (and possibly leather belts) when entering mosques and temples. Women should carry a scarf if planning to enter a mosque.
• Do respect local customs. It is prohibited to introduce sugarcane and parts thereof, soil micro-organisms and invertebrate animals.
• Do bring a gift for appreciation if invited for a meal.
• Do tip for excellent services although tipping is not compulsory.
• Do have travel insurance cover for yourself and your family.

Do take one or two tubes of mosquito repellant if you intend to visit Mauritius in summer.

© 2010 traveltaboo.com

Welcome to Egypt!

Egypt is the Arab Muslim country and the Egyptians tend to be very conservative with their own unique living habits, especially in rural areas, we will have to respect and comply with Muslim customs and traditions when traveling in Egypt. The following Egypt travel tips of dos and donts aim to help you enjoy a hassle-free trip to Egypt.

Egypt Travel Taboo

Pointing the toe or heel or any part of foot at any person. 

Egypt donts

• Do not go on holiday to Egypt without telling your friends or family how to reach you.
• Do not touch during a conversation, which is not usually appropriate unless the people having the conversation are very close to each other. In general, there is little to no touching between opposite sex during conversations or in public places. Do not hug and kiss in public.
• Do not wear sleeveless tops and short skirts or shorts on the streets or in markets. Swimsuits and bikinis are acceptable in hotel pools and cruise ships or in the Red Sea towns.
• Do not offer alcohol or pork to your local Egyptian guests unless you know for sure that they consume it. Alcohol is forbidden in Islam, although it’s available in shops. Most Muslims do not eat pork and believe pork is unclean.
• Do not eat communal food with your left hand, as this is used for personal hygiene. The right hand is used for greeting, eating, and passing objects.
• Do not be offended if your Egyptian host turns on the TV when you visit. It is a kind of hospitality saying you are welcome in our house. The TV is a sign of wealth.
• Do not cross your legs in front of the master of the house or any other elder person, which is thought to be very impolite in Egypt. Do not point the foot at any person.
• Do not wear trainers for walking in desert as the sand will get inside the lining and make the show too tight. Sandals and boots are better.
• Do not forget to take enough money with you on your daily outings. Take a large number of single dollar bills. It’s very difficult to find single Egyptian Pounds.
• Do not get into a taxi without asking the price first or use a meter counter.
• Do not walk around alone if you are a woman.
• Do not eat and drink or smoking in public places on Muslim fasting days.
• Do not drink alcohol. Islamic countries are against alcohol, while eating at the restaurant, ask the tour leader if you can drink.
• Do not take photographs of local Egyptian without prior permission. Do not take the military restricted areas and government agencies.
• Do not forget to give some tips to waiters, tour guides, drivers and the room cleaners as an expression of satisfaction with the services, otherwise they will be greatly offended.

Egypt dos

• Do learn a few Arabic words so that you can ask for help when needed. “Say-eeda” is “hi”, “Shok-ran” is “thank you”.
• Do handshake in certain circumstances. Cheek kissing is acceptable if closely related, but the most common greeting would be a slight bow of the head and a greeting of “salaam aleikum” which should be replied to with “waaleikum us salam”. It is taboo for religiously observant men to touch women and vice-versa.
• Do keep your valuables and all your important documents in a safe place.
• Do negotiate before getting in a cab or on a camel. Do negotiate price on all merchandise.
• Do prepare some sweets as a gift when visit an Egyptian house, according to local customs.
• Do make an attempt to take off your shoes when entering a Muslim house unless you are told not to. The house is where they pray, so some kind of sacred ground.
• Do wash your hands before entering the table. Do use your right hand when eating. Do not expect to have knife and fork. Eating with your hands is quite acceptable in Egypt.
• Do let the master of the house to have the first bite when dinning with the Egyptian, unless he invites you to have a nib before him.
• Do take two or more vehicles when making a long trip into the desert.
• Do ask to see the camels first on a camel journey and do check out when hiring a guide with vehicles. The desert is recognized by all as a serious place to have a breakdown and almost all guides go well prepared.
• Do watch out and plan on drinking between 1 and 3 litres of water a day in winter in addition to any tea, coffee or soup. In summer you can expect to last less than three days without water. In winter, it’s much longer, probably a week. It is the very lack of water that makes the desert a dangerous place to make a mistake.
• Do stock up on sun cream to avoid sunburn, especially between 11am and 2pm, especially in summer time. Do wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes and head.
• Do keep an eye on your groups departure time, and let the people you are with know where you are going so they know how long you will be.
• Do have a map or guide book close at hand always. Do hire a driver and a tour guide when you have extra time on your own.

©2010 traveltaboo.com

Welcome to South Africa!

South Africa is a very diverse country with people of African, European, and Indian backgrounds reflected in their culture. There are a variety of customs, and many indigenous peoples in Africa still maintained the original style, so it’s important for travellers to respect and adapt to the local custom, and be aware of the following travel tips in Africa, follow its Dos and Donts:

South Africa Travel Taboo

‘Negro’ or ‘Black’ is banned in Africa, as it’s reflecting black slaves and their descendants trafficked to the United States.

South Africa Donts

• Do not ever use ‘negro’ or ‘black’ which is banned in Africa, as it’s thought reflecting black slaves and their descendants who were trafficked to the United States.
• Do not call African indigenous ‘African’, as in Africa, the so-called African refers only to a specific group of people, the Republic of South Africa Netherlands Hispanic whites.
• Do not call Afrikaners “Dutchmen” and Do not call Afrikaans “Kitchen Dutch.” Afrikaners Do not consider themselves Dutch.
• Do not take photos of government/military buildings or police stations, nor pick dirty, poor cluster areas to film, which hurts local people’s self-esteem and is considered as bad behaviour.
• Do not leave food on your plate when you have finished eating. But in western Nigeria, do not eat all up, as it’s for The Holy Spirit.
• Do not touch someone’s arm or stand too close to someone.
• Do not sunbathe nude unless you are at a designated nude beach. Wear a bikini if you’re a woman, or a pair of swim trunks if you are a man.
• For female tourists, Do not walk in the street alone, and better wear white and the cloak, as in Algeria, women alone in public are prohibited, except visiting the store for shopping, and wear white and the cloak are chastity, will be unimpeded without danger.
• Follow strict hunting taboos when Safari in East Africa, such as DO NOT imitate animal sounds, throw objects, or corner a wild animal. Do not feed animals. Do not talk or twitter to scare away animals; Do not come out of the car for safety concern; NO cigarette or fire at all times in case causing forest fire, etc.

South Africa Dos

• Do raise right hand, palm toward each other when greeting, as it symbolises “No weapons” in ancient times, and is widely used as symbol of friendship nowadays.
• Do give a strong handshake as in Africa, feeble handshake was described as “ill-manners” and no sincerity, and strong handshake is a gesture of goodwill.
• Do ask for permission before taking photograph, as Africans generally believe that the camera can absorb and exhaust the ‘essence’ of people, houses and livestock.
• Do wear what you normally would wear when in urban parts, but dress nicely. In South African urban cultures, people usually wear typical Western attire.
• Do put your napkin on your lap upon being seated, cross your knife and fork on your plate to indicate that you are still eating, and place your knife and fork together to indicate that you have finished eating.
• Do tip 10-20% at a restaurant, and in a private vehicle, tip $20 per guest each day.
• Do use either both hands or your right hand to give or receive a present, and open your gift immediately. Give gifts such as cigars, whiskey, wine, a souvenir from your hometown, or flowers. There are no taboos in terms of giving flowers, although carnations are sometimes associated with funerals.

©traveltaboo.com