5 CULTURAL SHOCKS AFTER MOVING TO RWANDA
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- It's my birthday!
In this video I want to share with you, maybe warn you, about the 5 major cultural shocks I experience, when I moved to Rwanda.
I moved to Rwanda to follow my dream of opening my own gym and help contribute to the development of Rwanda.
Buy me drink and/or Help Me Open A CrossFit GYM in Kigali Rwanda:
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I started hanging out with some Rwandans a few years ago. I was not aware of their issues with time. The first party I was invited to was at 8pm...so naturally I showed up at 8pm. No one else showed up until 9:30....
Haha that sounds like a true story
😂😂😂😂😂
Welcome to Africa, if they showed up 9:30pm, they were too early, from my experience!
Believe that how they do it! Hour late and still in the party 4,5am better get nap around 5 in the evening 🤭
Hey Theo, I am an American living in Rwanda. I really enjoy your videos. Your waiter impersonation has me cracking up. Of course the nicer restaurants are much better. I have found that Rwanda is such a lovely country that it was easy to get used to most of these things you mentioned. However the lateness is annoying. The way I deal with the staring is...when someone stares at me, rather than ignore them, I just look directly at them and give a friendly upnod, or smile and give a little wave. They usually act surprised, as if they didn't even realize they were staring, then they will sheepishly smile and wave back, and go on their way. Simple! I was so shy in Rwanda at first, because I am mzungu and really stick out. But I found that if I am friendly and outgoing, and just talk to people wherever I go, they are the friendliest people anywhere. And one sure way to make friends is to pull out your phone and ask them if they want to take some selfies together. Rwandans love selfies! Especially children, and ESPECIALLY rural children. They will crowd together for photos, then excitedly crowd around to see the pictures, laughing and having fun. Rwandan kids are the best. I really miss the days before lockdown. Rwanda is my favorite place to live for sure. Thanks for helping me with the Kinyarwanda lessons.
aaah, so lovely to hear. That's a good tip to stop or lessen the staring. Rwandans do get shy when you point out that they are staring 🙂
Why are you taking pictures of the kids?!
Thanks Terri...question. Is there still a problem of things running like water, electricity, being late and so on.
STAY AWAY from our children dear mzungu. We don't want any of your kind hurting them in their own country. They get enough of that from YOUR countries. Thank you very much.
@@RobertSpiller is the pope still a catholic?
If I’m paying I want a smile fake or genuine 😂
haha, very well
Theo is delightful and explains the workings of Rwanda without being derogatory! lots of laughs.
I'm coming home in a week and your vids have been very nostalgic and comforting. Thanks, Theo!
Glad you like them!
I prefer my customer service to be great. If the person is in a good mood, bad mood, sad or happy, I just want good service. So if you're angry and I get good service I'm ok. If you're happy if my service is poor, then I won't like it.
aah thanks for the input.
@@theoisback I appreciate all of your videos. I'm a Black man living in the 🇺🇸and want to eventually visit 🇷🇼 and maybe eventually move there. Your videos provide good insight.
Theo i loved the part about the customer service, the acting was on point 👌🏾😜😂
hahahah, unfortunately it's still happening
Customer service is non existant.. I always get so worked out when dealing with bank staffs.
Time is an African factor hence the saying "Africanman Time"
You can start a training session for emoloyees at restaurants.
Great video mate and Happy Birthday
This Africanman time terrible though 🙈
In America we have a saying called " colored people time " regarding African Americans who arrive at functions late. African time has us beat hands down. I experienced this a few years ago when I was invited to a party for some neighbors from Nigeria who were moving out of state. They actually had invitations with a 7PM time for the party to start. I arrived at 730 and no one but the decorators were there. They literally told me that the party would not actually start until around 9 and to come back. Sure enough I came back later and the guest of honor and family didn't arrive until 10.
Hi Theo, Happy Belated Birthday! I love your videos so far (I have watched 2 and hope to watch many more!) I love that you are talking about culture shock and differences you’ve encountered between The Netherlands and Rwanda! I am Irish-American and I studied some Guinean and Malian music and dance in college from 1995-1998. Then I decided to learn more about the cultures that created and practice these art forms. For health reasons I couldn’t travel so I volunteered in and got to know the African refugee community in my city. Although I did have some experience with Rwandan refugee families I had more experience with West Africans - however there seems to be a lot of similarities. Your skit describing customer service could apply to many of the communities I got to know. I guess I am thinking of “smiling” and how that seems to be optional in many West African social situations (as well as in customer service). I was raised in an upper middle class, almost entirely white suburb and smiling was NOT optional in my experience. I much prefer being genuine and connecting honestly with people around me, even if that means they don’t smile at me. Ok, this is getting long and I apologize. I plan to watch and respond to more of your videos so no need to ramble on endlessly here! All the best! -Karen
ahh thank you for you insights and comment.
The restaurant scene has made my day!
Ro Flo haaaaaa. I was laughing 😆 so hard OMG
Happy birthday! Thank you for this video, I was looking forward to it.
I can definitely relate to the top 2, especially the staring. I don't like attention even when its something like my birthday. So, to have people constantly staring at me in the street was unnerving when I visited Rwanda the first time. You learn to ignore it but sometimes its overwhelming. I do still like Rwanda though.
have a good weekend!
yeah, i feel you 100% .
For #1 I can only think of one thing. I am shy. But I find that if I find the courage I can walk up to someone and tell them something about them that I like and it makes me feel happy inside when they smile because I was nice. It makes me feel less awkward around strangers and the other person seems delighted and less distant with me. For example, I told the hostess at the restaurant that I loved her shoes. She smiled so bright and she seemed more comfortable. I made her happy in that moment. I think she appreciated it and therefore she stopped staring at me and she was even kinder to me in her body language. I guess the point is that everyone can feel awkward and shy, but if you make them feel happy they share happiness back. Maybe it's a natural human response. If you look nervous you'll make me nervous. If you look happy you'll make me happy.
You've just described most African cultures which made me laugh so hard. It's better to swim with the current than against it. Just don't behave the same way if you don't like it.
Yes you're right !
Thank you for the great video as usual. I’ll be in Rwanda for a month so hope see you there!
Fortunately, the traits you mentioned in your post are learned behaviors that can be modified and even eradicated by a broad and sustained awareness and educational campaign.
Exactly.. the country is wonderful but needs some extra awareness and educational campaign to be a real switzerland
I love Rwanda
Hey Jimmy, I met you in Addis on the way to Kigali in 2017. I don't know if you remember. Cheers, mate.
Your description on customer care and staring is hilarious! I have laughed my head off! Thank you for the pointers about Rwanda. Eish, our African brothers!
glad you enjoyed it!
Theo, thank you very for this beautiful video about your lovely country. I am Nigerian and I am not shock at the five issues you have portrayed because it is the same in Nigeria. It seems these are very peculiar customs in Africa.
But the staring is not a west African thing. I think it is common in East African region.
Happy Birthday Teo. And thanks for posting these videos. Now to the culture shock: I have no problem with people staring at me, but I do resent talking about me in an open manner. The customer service you described is rather poor and would annoy me tremendously. But the biggest issues for me would be where restaurants, stores, hospitals and businesses run out of supplies, food, medicines and essential goods.
Yeah, not everyone will be shocked by the same things. But some things are universally shocking hahah
Why is thiss soo accurate 😂😂
Very interesting videos Theo. I'm South African based in Joburg. Regarding customer service, I think I'm qualified to offer some explanation because I live in a very developed African city. Generally, service levels are much better in industrialized communities than non-industrialized ones. Also, bigger cities tend to offer better service than rural villages & towns. For example, we also find smaller cities here very sow-paced, with poor customer service. I have travelled a bit around our continent & boy oh boy, the pace is very slowwww. I find Uganda, next door to Rwanda, very slow & service very poor. Same thing in Kenya. Things will improve with development & with more foreign tourists arriving & demanding better service.
Great video and entertaining. I learned a few things. Thanks Theo
Glad to hear it!
Hey Theo thanks for cultural enlightenment. I would love to visit Rwanda. About the stares, Asians also stare.... and also reveal their level of ignorance thru remarks...I agree Africa is home. There’s no place like home
7:04 is even more shocking!! Hahaha!!!!
Well articulated, though! You'll get used to it and hopefully change what is bad!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bro!!!
indeed!
Thnx!
As someone that works in customer service I prefer to be genuine because being fake is tiring.😪😪 Though there is no need to be rude.
I LOVE your vids Theo! Personally, I love honesty so, I prefer the server's real emotions than the fake ones. I love my people whichever way they are! Great content as usual!
Your videos have been really helpful. I'm from USA relocating to Rwanda on a work assignment early next year (hopefully)
aah sound great. best of luck
Be nice if you posted an update of your experience.
Happy Birthday and please continue your frank and honest platform
thanks !!
Wow, i guess I'm a lucky guy. I was there from November 2020 until February 2021 (exactly 88 days) I got the chance to really experience the city and countryside. I must say I was only really disappointed once at a restaurant where the service was really poor and a couple times where it was borderline. Having spent 15 years in Hospitality I know what it's supposed to be like. Overall I was pleased with the service I received. Also I didn't run into any real issues with people being on time. It's funny though, I got used to this one flavored type of bottled milk that wasn't that great by itself but I started using it in my coffee and as soon as it became my go to creamer for the first half my time there the last half of my time I couldn't find it anywhere all the way up until the time I left. I met an adorable Rwandan girl and I'll agree on all you said here. And, the staring is down right hilarious. I had fun with it, when they would stare at me I would stare back at them even harder. I love the city so much that I'm making it my second home. I'll be back in August 2021..
haha, sounds like you had fun. Too bad we didnt eventually meet, maybe next time when you are in Rwanda. Cheers
@@theoisback Yes bro, I had a blast. I'll make it a priority to hook up when I come back in August...
Wow, theo thank you. As
An american black female. These are some of the thing I needed to know. Because
I have heard such good things about Kigali Rwanda. I am looking to visit for a Year before I make my decision on wanting to live there.
Hahaha! I can relate! The restaurant skit is everything 😃 I feel you Theo.
Concerning the starring culture: Go to India and compare😜😂. I don`t think it can get any worser than India.
Lol, staring competition? hahah
I live in China and I am sure people have had accidents staring when they are driving
True story!
😂😂😂😂
Thanks for your honesty, good video!
Thanks for watching!
Great informative video. You have a great personality young brother,lol Subscribed! Peace!
thnx! welcome to the family
The part about the date staying for days or all week was funny as hell lol. And the part about people expressing their true emotions, its kind of like that in NYC.
not in Las Vegas where customer service is tops. i know several Rwandans who have done well here. it's a matter of survival and willingness. Happy Birthday, Theo! is ur name Theodore. my youngest son is Theodore, but i call him Teddy and others call him Ted, but no Theo.
@@jaynemcgurrin-feshold6962 in Rwanda Théo can be of Théoneste,Théodore or Théophile. Rwanda used to be french speaking, that's why they don't usually use Teddy as it sounds so english language background, i think!
Hello Theo, Thanks N#2 is valuable to me since I am planning to launch a business around Customer service in Kigali. If possible, I will get in contact with you on my next trip to Kigali! PS: I have experienced the 1h10min wait just for a meal ;)... ! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY..Murakoze
haha, yeah a good costumer service business would be great ! im sure its very much needed!
Good customer service costs a lot of money. Hope you know.
Happy Birthday bro!!
thank you!
Bravo on the resturant scene !!!!!!! Time management issue will drive me crazy when it comes business which is why I need to figure out online business to earn income if move to Africa from USA.
You are soooo right! You said it all
Happy belated birthday. #2 was hilarious.
thank you
😂😂 customer service. We have our share of that in Kenya... Oh man Theo I was in Rwanda 1month and 1week would've been awesome to meet you bt defn coming back soon. A huge fan of your videos. Kuddos
aah thank you. you are welcome back 😁🙏🏾
Treo, it sounds like you have to do a lot of home entertainment there and enjoy the beauty of the city.
Wow!! Your knowledge is priceless.
I appreciate that!
The waiter bit is killin me 😂😂😂 very informative fam. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed
Good vid. Have been checking out Rwandan Real Estate lately. Funny how Kigali Real Estate prices are going up, like other world cities. Found you list informative. Will check out your vid on how to find a house in Kigali
Thanks !
hi theo am half rwandese in uganda...pipo in ugandan villages also stare a lot but out of the villages its embarrassing so a few do so....thanx for videos they direct and easy to learn from...
Oh wow!
Happy Birthday 🥳
Great video
🥳 thankss
😂😂. The customer service, staring and talking about you was spot on.
lol, thnx
Here from Augusta, Ga. Good video.
It is exactly the same way in so many countries in South America..water run out, light outs, food run out, customer service, tardiness..etc..
hahah reallyy
With regard to the staring (I experienced it when I visited Ghana; same thing!), we can simply talk to them about it in an educational way; teaching them the uniqueness of their staring and how negative it is.....to look is normal, but staring is down right idiotic. It may not stop them, but I feel a lot better whenever I speak my own truth.
yes, there is so much education needed. It will take a while
Whahah, the customer service sketch is goed broeder! Ik heb me geabonneerd. Groeten uit Amsterdam
welkom, groetjes terug
Theo when you ask a woman on a date you pay because you're courting her lol! It show's your a provider!
The staring part thou😂😂😂😂. Planning to visit soon from from 🇰🇪. We got many of you here and we love them esp in schools.
hahah, nice. welcome
This video is hilarious. I just got to Rwanda but if/when this happens to me I am going to crack up.
haha, it will most likely!
Love this video ☺️ Though I appreciate how genuine rwandans are, I prefer the fake smile on customer service because I'm just too sensitive! hahaha If someone comes and acts annoyed or like they don't want to be there, I'll feel sad and think I did something wrong. I'm always SUPER careful and polite to everyone in that situation, so I hope to receive politeness in return.
haha, yeah thats understandable
I like all your videos . I am a Rwandan who lives in Uganda probably planning to come back to my country after my studies in USA aerospace engineering
Thank you. Looking forward seeing you in Rwanda when you finish.
indeed for sure
As a fellow a Rwandan I agree with everything ;). For the restaurants some of them are just not serious i will advise go to a chic area or act like your rich it works:P For the staring well...... welcome to rwanda :)
I think in customer care some things has improved I visited Rwanda last year I got a very good customer care in restaurant near Kigali convention center but water mmmhhhh I would love to move there some years to come I’m from Tanzania
In the US most of the time men are expected to pay as well. As far as running out of food at restaurants I have experienced that mostly in Atlanta, GA but not in other areas of the US. They will stare at you in other countries too mainly in Asia.
Belated Happy Birthday Theo
thank you
Happy birthday Theo! Great informative video. The acting was on point!😂 But it's not just Rwanda, I've had countless similar customer service experiences in Tanzania.
Thank you Denise!
Yes, its an issue in many other countries unfortunately
Great content! Rwanda is still a fragile nation and continues to grow. Hopefully, people's habits will change. My greetings from the United States🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Greetings back from Rwanda !
A leopard 🐆 can’t change its spots
Man i really really like your analysis man.
thank you man
I have just come across your video and subscribed ❤
I just died over #1 and #2 🤣🤣 SO TRUE! I can't get used to either of those yet and it's been 2 years so far..
the time thing.. the running out of supplies.. I'm used to it now.
LoL, at least you are used to it now :)
In America we call it CPT (color ppl time) 😂. Although, I realize most non-whites run on CPT. I’m Caribbean black and with us it’s so bad to get ppl to show up on time to special events we tell our guests the event begins 2hrs prior to the actual time. As for the customer service smile, here in America it’s not always guaranteed. They wear their true feelings. I require a smile. Fake smile is fine. They get paid to make sure I come back/continue to do business with them, so smile! Hope you enjoyed your birthday. Serenity on your special day is priceless
haha, 2. hours is extreme though.
thank you for the bday wish
!
Happy Birthday 🎉🥳🥳🎉🎉🥳
thank you!
Staring and customer service is very crazy and true 🤣🤣🤣
big respect for moving back to yr homeland
Hahahahaa that part about restaurants got me dying. That is LITERALLY how it goes and it drives me CRAZY. I'd rather have the 'fake' happyhappyjoyjoy costumer service.
Don't even get me started on the staring and rude comments 😂😭😭
hahah, well noted 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
Delice Mutaganzwa in a way i like the authentic because the more you hide something just because it is a business policy the more that thing will become a big burden in your life. A sweet spot in the middle would be great
@@coachremmy hmmm to me when going out to restaurants, bars, hotels.. etc i would like to have good customer service. that's like 80% why i go there. It's not about hiding anything, it's about treating your custmers well.
Delice Mutaganzwa i see
@@coachremmy I hope if you do or ever own a business that doesn't do well that you will feel the same way.
Wow I don't want to move there now. Thanks for the info. I need water, lights, and food when I need it.
, hahahaha this was actually very funny, your delivery was just so direct, black folks in General do not do customer service, doesn't matter where they come from, here in the UK i was talking about this with 2 Caribbean colleagues at work, it is the same over there as well. You are right, they are just showing you exactly how they feel, plus i have another theory that people do not want to feel inferior to you so they give an attitude at times, especially in an African context where career expectations can be high.
Happy Birthday!
thank you very much 💚💙❤️🧡🖤
Theo, that's an interesting and revealing video. Going Dutch was rare back in my dating days. Ensuring a girl got back home safely was a priority . The loud comments depends on neighbourhood, definitely not Central business district.
aah, thank you for your comment
Hi Theo
Thank you for your Detailed information on Rwanda life style and life expenses cost.
I realy don't have such information before but I was thinking to visit Rwanda, thought it is a little bit cheaper but it is not. RWANDA has made a drastically change with in a very few years becouse of its Leader President Poul kagame one of the strongest, and a good example of Leaders in Africa. Any way your contribution to this info. Matter is not easy I apreciate you and thank you so much again I will be following your next programme in future.
Y.Gede MCR 🇬🇧
Theo every time i'm watching your video i feel like getting married now with a rwandan girl. Love rwandan people and I like you Theo. keep it up
Ohh, thank you
Good video 😂! Can you do a video about your vegan diet experience in Kigali like have you been able to maintain size, what type of protein rich food available there stuff like that please
Great idea!! I will think about it
Hello Theo, I am moving to Rwanda next month for work. Looking forward to my life in Africa.
Yeah, you will love it .
Thank you for your honesty. 😁
Always!
Love this video!!!
Thank you!!
Happy birthday🎉🎉🎉🎉 muzehe😁
thank you mwana
Bro the costumer service is my number one problem of Rwanda, from restaurants to hospitals to documentation offices. I found out if u know someone from that place you're going to, makes it only lil bit easier to get what u want faster.
Yeah who ever can solve the costumer service in Rwanda, will become a millionaire.
@@theoisback 😂😂 hope the future generations will. Because we lack of patience anyway.
The restaurant scene was very funny 😂😂 It happened to me once, in Morocco.
Happy birthday 🥳 Theo 👏🏾
hahah, if it happened only once, then service in Morocco is already far better 😁
Happy Birthday
My first-time watch and man you had me laughing.
hahah, glad you enjoyed
bro I cain't stop watching your videos,
haha, thnx
They don't have to smile and grin if they don't feel it, just don't make me wait longer than 20 minutes for my food, Happy Birthday Theo!😊
hahah, thanks1
One way to change cultural behavior (like staring) is through the arts, music, movies, tv shows. If you get the most influential artist to make staring un-cool, then it could change some of the behavior. Think how hip hop artist changed some culture behavior in America. Fist bump is now common with old white men. I said 'One Way" not the only way.
hmmn.. good idea.
Multi-generation Istanbul Turk, born and raised in Canada though, here; the story of the woman who helps out with your house chores and taking two -and-a-half hours to prepare the meal you replicated in one, had me laughing my head off... The tales you tell of a "diaspora" are shared by so many of us in "diaspora" communities, where you sometimes feel as though you have a foot in each culture, but never both feet in one. In a way, you always feel like a minority. Enjoying your videos very much; much success to you, Theo!
indeed! well said. thank you too
Mashallah ilove home here am in Kenya
So...just like the rest of Africa, it seems. Lol. I'm curious about the running water and electricity part. How often does it happen? And do you use alternatives like generators/in-home storage devices?
The electricty 1x in 5 weeks and the water 1x in 10 days. Some people do have watertanks and alternative generators to help with this problem.
You just killed me on service.🤣🤣🤣
LOL
I just found you today I am a new subscriber. I am from the United States. I know it’s late but happy birthday!
ahh thank you. and welcome to the family!
I would like to Visit Rwanda, spend a month. Love your Videos from South Africa 🙌🏿 We call water ‘Amanzi’ too in my native language ‘Xhosa’
ooh what a coincidence
Thank you for this video. I don't know if i can deal with running out of so many essential things or dealing with bad customer service . Is there any other countries you would recommend a American to relocate to in Africa that's safe and cheap
And BTW happy belated birthday !
Hahah it's tough. But it's not that bad.
The the safest and semi-cheapest country is Rwanda!😀😀
cmon, it is not that bad, and to be honest i find ur comment esp the customer service silly. but if u consider those major pet peeves, then i guess it would be hard for u to adjust/live in an African country. u just have to learn how to deal with it. to answer ur other que: tanzania, Mauritius, algeria, Botswana, Morocco, Seychelles, Egypt, Algeria. after u've done ur research, u're still gonna come back to either tanzania or rwanda. love
-I loved it!
🙏🏾🙏🏾
Thanks for your honesty bro. No! Where nu better than yard. Cause we're running from the stress of the West. Only to go into a more stressful place. As it is written nowhere to run nowhere to hide.
Yessss... the staring 😅
Uraho Theo, I am rwandan but I left Kigali in 1992... I've been living in Belgium since then.Great impersonation. I am cracking up right now😅🖤
ooh. that's a long time