Ethiopia

Ethiopia Dos:

do show respect to elderly by taking off your hat or cap when talking to them

do use “Ato", "Woizero", and "Woizrity" to address a man, married woman, and unmarried woman respectively.

do when elderly come to join you and if you have already taken a sit, show respect to them by raising from your sit and greeting "nor". You will in reply be grated "be'igzier" and asked to take your sit.

do when you greet someone whom you respect, bow a bit stretch your hands to shaking hands. Your other hand may support the stretched hand by the elbow to show more formal respect.

do give way to old people and support them if they need it.do take at least a bit of what will be served to you.

do take off your shoes when entering in to church or mosque buildings.

do eat local food with your right hand.

do know that most common form of a greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact. After a close personal relationship has been established people of the same sex may kiss three times on the cheeks. Across genders, men should wait to see if a woman extends her hand. 

do bring pastries, fruit, or flowers to the host, if you are invited to an Ethiopian’s home.

do give a gift with both hands or the right hand; never the left hand.

do know, that punctuality is not strictly adhered to although considerable lateness is also unacceptable.

do  offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.

Ethiopia Donts:

• do not spit in public.

• do not use curse words.

• do not hurry drinking coffee; coffee is a national drink and its drinking is a ritualized process that generally takes at least an hour.

• do not ask what you are eating – you really do not want to know :)

• do not eat local food with your left hand.

• do not refuse, when are you offered a cup of coffee; it is impolite.

• do not be grossed out when you see man-feeding-man in these restaurants. It’s called “Gursha” and it is a tradition.

• do not forget to order at least one Wat- you haven’t had Ethiopian food unless you’ve tried at least one of these stews.

• do not expect rigid schedules in Ethiopia. There may be an agenda, although it is not part of the local culture.

• do not open gift when it is received.