Time

from Elliott

Time takes on a whole new meaning when you are in a new culture. First, each culture has a unique concept of time. Western culture, especially in the US, values speed and efficiency. We are quickly learning that Africa does not place a high priority on speed or even what from my Western eyes seems to be efficiency. That may be a prejudiced view though!

Instead they place a priority on relationship even when you are at best strangers. Whereas Westerners might have a clear and stated process for accomplishing a task, it seems here that you have to ‘discover’ the process through a series of encounters, each time digging deeper to get the ‘rest of the story.’

We have found this to be true in acquiring housing and a cell phone and especially the case in the arduous task of purchasing a car. We have still not completed that task though we are close. We thought we had one car purchased until we found out that it had already been sold to two other people! We came in third place so I am not sure who won out finally….

We have been at a disadvantage not knowing the local customs. Sometimes we missed an opportunity and other times we found ourselves spinning our wheels and wasting time.

Regardless of the inefficiency there is a benefit to the relationship approach. We are finding that we are very quickly becoming a part of the culture and making many new contacts and friends. Becoming a part of their culture also enhances our sense of belonging.