"You Know..."

I need to spend some time getting our Christmas photos organized before I post them.  In the meantime, as we were returning from Mike's dental appointment today, I was struck at how somethings here are so different.  With Mercy Ships, we have become very accustom to saying "It's not right or wrong, just different."  So here are some notable differences...

You know you are in South Africa when...

*People say "pleasure"  (It can mean- thank-you,  you're welcome, it's an honour...)
*People say "shame"  (depending upon the intonation, it can mean-I'm sorry, Too Bad, That's sad...)
*You get funny looks driving a vehicle with the steering wheel on the left side of the vehicle on the left side of the road
*When alone, you have to get out of the vehicle (with the steering on the left) to get the ticket from the parking dispenser because they are set up for cars that steer on the right side.
*In more rural areas, people make a two lane road into a three lane road
*If the shoulder is large enough, that becomes a lane also to move over and let people pass
*Flashing the hazard lights are a way of saying "Thank-you"
*Meals are relational...a restaurant meal can take 1.5-2 hours...just sit back and enjoy who your with!
*When going to a person's house for a meal, expect to stay at least 4 hours
*When having a Braai (like a BBQ) men do the Braai and women do the salads-that is just the way it is!
*There is a Braai Master
*You cannot rush a Braai-the coals have to be just perfect
*People genuinely want to talk, to know how you are, where you are from
*You are offered a packet in the store (packet=bag/sac)
*And finally, my absolute favorite, is having one of the cleaning ladies TRYING to teach me Zulu...She talks Zulu, I jumble/forget and then think in French...She laughs and smiles!