Cultural Differences

^{Cultural Differences between Canada and South Africa:}

^{* They have not central heating system here! It is winter right now and it’s quite cold! It’s funny to see everyone wearing winter clothing while it’s summer in Canada.}

^{* The hot water and cold water in the bathrooms are usually separated and they don’t mix to get warm water.}

^{* You have to pay everything in advanced and usually by cash only (ex: electricity, phone minutes on your land line and cell, )}

^{* The 7-eleven is not just a convenience store, but like a mini grocery store where you can get everything you need.}

^{* Most people hire a maid to clean your home.}

^{* We send our laundry out to get done.}

^{* At the gas station you get full service and you are expected to tip them about 2 rand.}

^{* Whenever you park at the mall you are greeted by parking attendants to help you and you usually tip them 2 rand.}

^{* They have very little selection when it comes to a variety of foods and goods. (my guess is that it cost too much to import these products to S. Africa)}

^{* Public Transportation is quite hard around here. You need a car to get anywhere.}

^{* Ketchup here is actually “TOMATO SAUCE” (Thank goodness that they import Heinz here!)}

^{* Their keys look like skeleton keys and they are very heavy.}

^{* You cannot turn left on a red light.}

^{* You have to barter for everything here!}

^{* When you pay for something here you don’t have to pay for taxes. (The price you see is the price you pay.)}

* Hmmm! At the mission house their are a lot of different bugs here. The one I hate the most!!!! Is the fleas!!!!!! I have been bitten so many times that I've lost count!!!! Sometimes I think I have chicken pox and it's hard not to scratch!!!! They can't seem to get rid of them!!!!