tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528548932849801742.post1892084776095471150..comments2023-06-28T09:36:39.827+01:00Comments on Baba Mzungu: Getting used to KenyaneseBabaMzunguhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02423217043240843105noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528548932849801742.post-42376081224970927482009-03-15T23:49:00.000+00:002009-03-15T23:49:00.000+00:00@ErinYes, Kenyans are courteous to visitors to the...@Erin<BR/>Yes, Kenyans are courteous to visitors to their country, for which I am truly grateful.<BR/>But I try not to act the tourist - after all, I'm not one.<BR/>And yes, there are those who pander to me in the hope of a back-hander, especially kids. I don't mind the kids. They soon learn that I am not there to give them sweets, but they remain friendly anyway.<BR/>The last point is worrying. BabaMzunguhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02423217043240843105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528548932849801742.post-26124019504431531222009-03-15T19:38:00.000+00:002009-03-15T19:38:00.000+00:00by the way, i like the work you are doing in Nyanz...by the way, i like the work you are doing in Nyanza.<BR/><BR/>Check out www.wahomefoundation.comErinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10949943247506696896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528548932849801742.post-29474055044529517502009-03-15T19:35:00.000+00:002009-03-15T19:35:00.000+00:003 reasons why a mzungu might get special treatment...3 reasons why a mzungu might get special treatment in Kenya:<BR/><BR/>as a foreigner, a guest, an outsider, Kenyans might treat you with a little more patience and sensitivity than they would a regular guy from around the way. In most cultures, hospitality to strangers, visitors, outsiders is very highly regarded.<BR/><BR/>But on the other hand, a "pale skin" is normally equated to wealth. In Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10949943247506696896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528548932849801742.post-31090303787816906262009-03-15T10:30:00.000+00:002009-03-15T10:30:00.000+00:00@ ErinHow true! The word pole! is just one example...@ Erin<BR/>How true! The word pole! is just one example of how East African language is richer than English.<BR/>As I said in an earlier reply, we could have learned a thing or two from Kenya in the past, rather than just benefiting from its material riches.<BR/>After all, we adopted many words from our "colonies", e.g. safari from you, bungalow from India, etc.<BR/>I hope it is not too late, forBabaMzunguhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02423217043240843105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528548932849801742.post-69293954195582502362009-03-14T13:36:00.000+00:002009-03-14T13:36:00.000+00:00It is a shame that the English language does not h...It is a shame that the English language does not have an equivalent of "pole."<BR/><BR/>When you sneeze you can get a "bless you" but when you fall and crack your skull, all you get is "are you okay?" as if there would be any doubt of how you are doing in that state.<BR/><BR/>I got tired of people telling me "it is not your fault" each time I said "sorry" to show empathy.<BR/><BR/>It gets even Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10949943247506696896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528548932849801742.post-61300952813296082162008-09-17T09:28:00.000+01:002008-09-17T09:28:00.000+01:00Hi, I realise this, but it was strange at first. B...Hi, I realise this, but it was strange at first. <BR/>But this is what makes Kenyans so special. As you say, we don't offer sympathy as you do.<BR/>And I am not knocking Kenyans, on the contrary, some of us could learn a few lessons from you!BabaMzunguhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02423217043240843105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528548932849801742.post-42611788983454304722008-09-17T09:19:00.000+01:002008-09-17T09:19:00.000+01:00Hi, when we say "sorry" in the context you describ...Hi, when we say "sorry" in the context you described, we are not asking for forgiveness. "Sorry" is used as a translation of "pole", a kiswahili word used to express empathy. We use it when someone else gets hurt, even if it had nothing to do with us. <BR/><BR/>I live in the states and I find it very strange that you can trip or fall and get no sympathies from those around.PROUD NYEUTHIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05771445872739911773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528548932849801742.post-83953415644279672142008-06-29T08:45:00.000+01:002008-06-29T08:45:00.000+01:00Hi Gal AfricanaThese are just two of the many that...Hi Gal Africana<BR/>These are just two of the many that used to confuse me. Particularly interesting during business meetings!<BR/>DMBabaMzunguhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02423217043240843105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528548932849801742.post-48465936891417903592008-06-29T08:26:00.000+01:002008-06-29T08:26:00.000+01:00hehe...I'm Kenyan and had no idea that those two l...hehe...I'm Kenyan and had no idea that those two little habitual "sayings" could be confusing to an English speaking Englishman lol...I get it now. I won't stop using them, but I'll probably smile everytime I do use them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com