This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
As I reflect on my experiences in West Africa and Kenya's coastal region, I am struck by the significance of greetings in building relationships. In these cultures, greetings are not just a formality, but a way to acknowledge the humanity of others and lay the foundation for positive and productive relationships.
My West African colleagues visiting Nairobi were puzzled by the lack of greetings between strangers in the city. They would often greet each other with a simple 'good morning' or 'good evening' in hotel lobbies, which was seen as a sign of respect and a way to acknowledge the existence of a fellow human being.
In contrast, my friend from the DR Congo working for an international organization told me that colleagues from Nairobi would often walk into the office without greeting anyone, whereas their Senegalese counterparts would warmly greet everyone, enquiring about their health.
These greetings are not just superficial exchanges, but rather dialogues that go beyond the usual 'how are you?' They are an opportunity to connect with others, build relationships, and create a sense of community.
As I learned from my experiences in West Africa and Kenya's coastal region, greetings are an essential part of African culture. They are a way to show respect, acknowledge the humanity of others, and lay the foundation for positive and productive relationships.
Organizations can learn from this cultural practice by promoting cultural intelligence, which involves adapting to all cultural settings, learning patterns of social interactions, and responding appropriately. By doing so, they can create a more inclusive and respectful work environment that values diversity and promotes positive relationships.
As the author of Beyond Ethnicism, Mukami Kimathi: Mau Mau Freedom Fighter and Kenya: Bridging Ethnic Divides, I believe that greetings are a powerful tool in building relationships and creating a sense of community. By taking the time to greet others, we can lay the foundation for positive and productive relationships that are built on respect, empathy, and understanding.
