Other country's customs

I do find it intriguing how they do some things in Ethiopia. It was similar when ST and I were in Italia a few years ago. I LOVE the way they park for example all over Italy ... if it fits, then it's a parking spot. There are cars strewn all over the place and, unless they impede emergency vehicles, the "authorities" could care less. In Ethiopia, at a restaurant, the bill is not brought until you ask for it. We noticed this as well in Italia.

While chowing down on French toast today at Parisienne, I noticed the way people would walk up to the newspaper vendor and get one or more papers to read. There was no money exchange. A while later, that same person would return the paper to the vendor and then some money would change hands. As it turns out, if the paper is returned to the same vendor, there is a half price charge for the privilege to read the paper. What a concept ... half price reading and no unnecessary litter left behind.

When greeting in Ethiopia, there are a number of things people do ... you often see the kiss on the cheek; not the double kiss we are used to seeing, but three kisses. I am not sure of the reason it's 3 and not 1 or 2. Also, they often dip their right shoulders to one another as they shake hands. When one's hand is wet or dirty with something, instead of extending a hand to shake, one extends the wrist in consideration for the other person by not getting them dirty or wet. Something else I see is people who take their left hand and grasp their lower arm while shaking hands. This is apparently a sign of respect.

I have made posts before about how much the locals take pride in their city and how it is kept so clean. I also noticed recently how happy they are to drop trash on the ground all over. No wonder there is a collection of rubbish in the gutters. Then today while at Parisienne, I noticed there are no trash receptacles on the street ... zilch, none, zero! I am not sure why someone has not approached the city with the suggestion that they utilize local contractors and manufacturers to put garbage cans all over Addis. They would have to chain them to poles so they did not disappear and these same cleaners who sweep the streets could collect the litter for disposal. Maybe I will speak to Dr. Paul upon his return; I already have a name for the garbage cans ... "garbeba" cans (a mix of garbage and Abeba).