Ghana Quirks I Enjoy

Some are funny, some are just interesting to me….

1. Using old diaries as a note pad, I’ve seen as far back as the 1990’s. It’s really common, and I just am not sure why… recycling?
2. Painting the nails on the left hand only, not the right
3. Taking multiple solo photos of yourself or friend in front of anything, no smiles allowed, very serious business (in the south, this is done often with an iPad in your face, always an amusing sight)
4. Either not wearing makeup at all, or makeup applied drag queen style
5. Playing ‘background’ music as loud as the volume possibly goes. Makes small talk easier, you sit in silence!
6. Washing your hands before eating with dishwashing liquid and water. Why not soap?
7. Dinner parties mean come, eat really really fast, and then leave… without paying the bill (and with taking a take-home pack). A friend negotiates this at work functions by doing presentations and everything before the food is served. I can never keep up with my colleagues – maybe because I chew things like fufu, the Ghanaians don’t chew, just put-in-mouth-and-swallow
8. Not waiting for the current conversation to finish before butting in with a new conversation
9. Hanging your handbag over your bottom – sort of bumbag style. Literally flaunting your curves. People here love to keep their hands free – handbag often goes on the head too.
10. Using the word ‘sh!t’ in a formal meeting to describe, well, sh!tting in public. I was with a national minister, and I was shocked we were talking about trying to stop people sh!tting in the open… I find ‘defecation’ (often used as well) so formal… but then sh!t is the complete opposite! My guard also talks about how our chickens ‘sh!t’ the eggs… I tend to get the giggles...

     To leave you now with a song that is often guilty of point #5. I tried to buy some things from a shop the other day, but the lady serving had to dance to the entire song first before we could exchange any money, it was worth it. It's my favourite song here, maybe because I think it is so funny. It's a guarantee you'll hear this if you leave the house in the morning.