Introduction
Kenya is a country in East Africa characterized by a number of geographic features and cultural aspects. A person planning to go and live in Kenya should be aware of the cultural aspects presented below.
Greetings
In Kenya, greetings are taken seriously, especially among members of the same community. Older persons should initiate greetings (Njogu & Oluoch-Olunya, 2012). Foreigners should also greet other people with respect. Females and males should be addressed with respect. The country does not have a unique dress code. However, some communities have maintained their traditional attires, such as the Samburu and the Maasai tribes (Kenya, 2016). Workers are expected to dress in formal suits. Laborers can wear casual clothes. Skirts, dresses, and blouses are common among women.
Gifts and Meetings
The majority of people do not embrace gifts during meetings. Gifts are usually exchanged by couples and individuals in a relationship. Meetings are also taken seriously in this country. People should be punctual. Senior persons and managers usually chair meetings. Managers and organizational leaders speak last during meetings (Kenya, 2016). Subordinates should treat their leaders with respect. People should use titles such as honorable or mister whenever addressing their leaders (Cultural Experiences in Kenya, 2016).
Business Aspects
Businesses in Kenya are usually conducted in a formal setting. Workers should report to the office and follow the regulations. However, new business practices are embraced by the country’s growing young population (Kenya, 2016). In the United Arab Emirates, business leaders hold their meetings in offices. However, globalization has encouraged more businesspeople to hold their meetings in international hotels.
Meals
Kenya is characterized by different food materials. Every tribe is known to have its unique delicacies. People show that they have enjoyed the food by thanking the cook (Culture, 2016). The country’s culture also allows people to communicate when they do not want to eat.
Body Languages and Gender Issues
Some behaviors and gestures are considered offensive in the country. For example, yawning during meetings is a bad practice. The thumbs-up sign is a positive gesture among many Kenyans. Culture treats males as superior citizens. However, many people in urban areas treat women and men equally (Culture, 2016). Visitors should understand that men are expected to protect children and women.
Conflict Resolution
Conflicts are addressed in the country using a number of methods. Parents and elders should support every conflict resolution process (Our Africa: People and Culture, 2016). Every person should present his or her grievances.
Potential Problems
Individuals from the UAE might encounter various challenges when dealing with Kenyans. The language barrier is one of these challenges (United Arab Emirates Business Etiquette & Culture, 2016). As well, Kenyans do not have hierarchical interactions. Someone from UAE should respect Kenyans in order to earn the required trust. Kenya’s cultural diversity can pose numerous problems for foreigners.
How Kenya is Different: Travelling to the Country
Kenya is different from other countries because of its diversity. Kenyans have diverse traditional and religious views. Individuals traveling to Kenya will encounter diverse meals and cultural practices. The rich tradition embraced by Kenyans is admirable. The seasonal migration of Wildebeests is a natural wonder. Some nice places to visit include the Great Rift Valley, Maasai Mara, Lamu, Serengeti, and Mombasa” (Culture, 2016). Some unusual foods include githeri, ugali, and termites (Our Africa: People and Culture, 2016).
Interesting Facts
- Kenyans men can marry more than one wife.
- In 2014, Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
- The annual Wildebeest migration is a wonder of the world.
Reference List
Cultural Experiences in Kenya. (2016). Web.
Culture. (2016). Web.
Kenya. (2016). Web.
Njogu, K., & Oluoch-Olunya, G. (2012). Cultural Production and Social Change in Kenya: Building Bridges. Nairobi: Twaweza Communications.
Our Africa: People and Culture. (2016). Web.
United Arab Emirates Business Etiquette & Culture. (2016). Web.