NDERITU: Take time for greetings, it’s the rock on which relations are built
Greet people and in doing so, recognise their presence, acknowledge their humanity. Greetings lay the foundation for positive and productive relationships. FILE PHOTO | NMG
West African colleagues visiting Nairobi asked in awe “why don’t Nairobians greet strangers and each other?” They were referring, not to the usual lighting up of the face with an accompanying Jambo! at the sight of a real or imagined tourist, but to greetings between strangers, especially common in rural areas and many parts of Africa.
A head nod, or simple good morning, afternoon or evening say in a hotel lobby in Niamey, Lagos or Accra to a stranger is often translated as an acknowledgement of the existence of a fellow human being. It also shows you were brought up well, to respect and value others.
