Open Letter For Tourists: Cultural Advice

Dear Tourists,

Hello, I am a Malagasy student from the Northern part of Madagascar.
I am very pleased to write a letter to you.

First of all, let me describe Madagascar to you. It is a big island
which receives many tourists every year because of its biodiversity.
Madagascar contains 20 million people. These people are divided into
18 tribes and have different cultures as well. But, we all understand
each other.

Now, I have noticed that many tourists do not stay in Madagascar as
long as they want to because they misunderstand Malagasy people.
Sometimes, tourists interpret negatively the behavior of Malagasy
people. I can assure you that Malagasy people are very nice. They
are helpful and warm. So, if you have a misunderstanding or conflict
with Malagasy people it simply means that you do not understand the
culture.

To help you, I am a Malagasy girl and am happy to give some advice
about the Malagasy way of life.

1. When Malagasy people talk to you their messages will be indirect
and ambiguous. You might not understand this kind of communication.
Don't get nervous, just keep on asking questions. You should say
"azafady" (excuse me) followed by your questions. They will be happy
to answer you. We are indirect because communication for Malagasy
people is a way to create harmony. If you tell them something in an
aggressive way it may hurt their feelings. As a collectivist culture,
we communicate indirectly.

2. In Malagasy culture interrupting conversations is shocking. If you
interrupt people, they may feel angry towards you. If you want to
speak, wait for the people to finish talking and then speak.

3. Malagasy people give more value to older people in our society and
at work. If you have the habit of not respecting older people you
should change because in our country old people are on top of the
hierarchy. For example, if you want to do some research in a
village—you have to ask permission from the elders. When you talk to
them, you should express your ideas more politely than you would with
a younger person.

4. Malagasy people have many taboos. You have to respect these
taboos. This mean if you want to visit sacred places you should be
ready to not wear shoes when you are in that place and to bring a
"lamba.". These things are compulsory. If you do not take of your
shoes and are without a lamba you will not be allowed to visit the
sacred places.

5. Malagasy people are very formal. So, when you are invited by a
Malagasy family in a village or town you should wear more modest
clothes. For example, pants or skirts that touch your knee and a
shirt that covers your stomach.

6. In Madagascar, time ins not money. If you have an appointment with
a Malagasy person and they are late do not get angry because it is our
culture. For example, if your tour guide is late—don't say that he
doesn't like his job. For this reason, we do not hurry everywhere we
go. We have a proverb to share this idea, "Dia meky mamparary
sarotro, dia mora mahataka-davitry," that is to say, "walking fast may
cause stomach aches and walking slow reaches further." This proverb
is a Malagasy belief and that is why we have a habit of doing things
slowly.

Tourists, if you can adapt to these ways of life you will have a great
vacation in Madagascar. Besides, you can get many Malagasy friends.
We are happy as well when you know how to live with us.

Yours in friendship,

Elodie