'In SA we greet first': American tourist gets schooled
"Greet us first!" Clearly, some people were not taught to greet first...
There's no denying that Americans have been very vocal about their thoughts and opinions about South Africa. Equally, as naturally opinionated people, we also have our own opinions about them.
While having an opinion about groups of people is good, it's not quite socially acceptable. You could say that societal etiquette frowns upon people being too communicative about their true feelings.
However, one American man left Mzansi with no choice when he chose to behave in a socially unacceptable manner.
The American tourist shared a video on social media of his experience arriving at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
In the video, which red46664 reshared on TikTok, we see him sitting at the airport explaining how he arrived and saw a long queue. He assumed the line was for customs, but it looks more like passport control.
He then says he waited on the sidelines, hoping the line will get shorter. In the meantime, he wanted to find a restroom. This is when we see how some people don't believe in greeting each other, a trait universally understood as basic manners.
Watch what happens when he confronts a person we assume to be an airport worker, video courtesy of TikTok.
@red46664 ♬ original sound - red
Read more: American living in SA mistaken for local
People quickly jumped into the comments expressing the importance of greeting someone you've just met. It is part of our friendly culture, heritage, and upbringing as a nation.
One person wrote, "In South Africa, we greet first. Even if you are dying or injured. Greet first, then speak."
"You just landed and learnt a very important lesson! Greet first!!"
"This is the most South African thing ever."
"In South Africa, you greet even when you’re angry."
One person shared insight into that long line he is avoiding: "Another lesson he’s gonna learn is that the longer you avoid the line, the longer it gets."
HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
- Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836.
- Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606
- Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.
Follow us on social media:
Image Courtesy of iStock