Hand in Hand! (A lesson on culture)

God's in Ghana!... he's everywhere here! He is plastered on every taxi and tro tro (van taxi). He is in every house on cheap plastic toys. He is in the title of every salon, small shop, chop bar (restaurant), spot (bar), or seamstress. These are in fact the only 5 things you will find in Ghana because the word "entrepreneur" does not exist. If it hasn't been done 1,000 times, successfully nonetheless, then no Ghanaina will attempt it. I suppose that makes sense because Ghanainans never try new things. Anyways, Religion is very important in Ghana! So I've started going to church now, as you can read about in my last blog!
For those of you reading, if you are planning to visit, or someday find yourself in Ghana their are a few things you should be prepared for. As most of you know, you eat with your hands....well hand. You never use your left hand, it is used for one thing and one thing only, wiping! Use your right hand to wave, shake hands, exchange money or goods. If you ever have to use your left you should say, "Pardon the left!" Another interesting cultural difference, Ghanaians have spots (or bars) and chop bars (or restaurants) , normally they don't eat and drink together though. Also, they drink in the morning more often here than in the states. It is not uncommon to see men holding hands here, or women holding hands, but rarely will you see a man and woman holding hands. Public display of affection is very taboo in Ghana. Also, being gay or lesbian is against the law, so same sex hand holding is a symbol of friendship. It's really taken some getting used to!
When you arrive in Ghana say hello to everyone. Greeting is a sign of respect here, and not greeting someone is considered extremely rude. Typically when you greet them you will shake their hand, and when Ghanaians shake hands they can tend to shake for an uncomfortably long time. Be warned, if you begin walking while in the middle of the Ghanaian extended hand shake it will often turn into holding hands. Another important fact about the Ghanaian hand shake is the snap. As your hands begin to separate at the end of the shake, your middle finger and thumb will snap off of theirs. This is typically done between close friends, so don't take offense if you don't get a snap. Ghanaians are also very close talkers and a good way to add distance in a conversation is to embrace the long shake and use it to push back. Be careful though, they can trick you and use it to pull in! Women, beware! If you are shaking a man's hand and he scratches your palm with his finger while shaking your hand, pull it away and smack him. That is his disgusting way of saying he want to do much more to you than shake your hand. Ladies, also be prepared to be proposed to....ALOT! But mainly, be prepared to meet some of the nicest, most caring, and genuine people you will ever meet. I'll just leave that at that! If you are going to have more than a greeting on the street, say a sit down conversation, their is a customary introduction you must know. You will enter the room and shake everyone's hand from the right to the left as you greet them. Next you will sit down and greet the group as a whole, introduce yourself, then state your mission, or why you've come. They will welcome you and then they will stand and shake everyone's hand. You are then free to have your conversation, which will usually take place over some sort of alcoholic beverage, apateshie, palm wine, or gin. You must thank them and say good bye before shaking hands your final time. Good byes can often be 2, 3, or even 4 hand shacks long. Well on that note, I will say my good bye... so until my next blog! Stay safe, happy, and healthy!