Cultural Insights |

Culture – Extra Food at the Market

Sam Smucker October 31, 2013 August 23, 2017Cultural Insights

The last cultural question was why someone entertained you on the veranda instead of inviting you into their home. For most PNG people, a house is only to store things in, to sleep in at night, and in some places where you eat. Outside is where you live. The veranda…

Culture – Meeting on the Veranda

Sam Smucker October 10, 2013 August 23, 2017Cultural Insights

The last cultural question was about displays of grief. Because of the 820 languages (and mini-cultures) in Papua New Guinea, there are many ways to display grief over the loss of someone. The most common of the ones listed that I have seen as I’ve traveled around PNG is that…

Culture – Sign of Grief

Sam Smucker September 11, 2013 August 23, 2017Cultural Insights

The last cultural question was about the traditional greeting in Papua New Guinea. With over 800 languages and cultures in PNG there is bound to be different greetings, but the most common one is “Where are you going?” or its relative “Where are you coming from?”. I’ve spent many hours…

Culture – Greeting

Sam Smucker August 31, 2013 August 23, 2017Cultural Insights

The last cultural question was how a PNG person answers a negative question. A PNG person responds literally as opposed to Americans who answer the intent of the question. An American would answer the question “Would you not like to come?” as “Yes, I would like to come” whereas a…

Culture – Answering Questions

Sam Smucker August 20, 2013 August 23, 2017Cultural Insights

Most food for large gatherings is both cooked and served outside. When the food is set on tables or banana leaves there are always women or children waving towels or branches across the food to keep away flies. Papua New Guineans are very concerned that flies do not land on…

Culture – Waving Leaves Over Food

Sam Smucker July 28, 2013 August 23, 2017Cultural Insights

You are at a gathering of people and now the food that has been prepared has arrived. Several women are standing around the food laden tables waving small, leafy branches over the food. [polldaddy poll=7281418]

Culture – Leftover Food Answer

Sam Smucker December 22, 2012 August 23, 2017Cultural Insights

Both answers 1 and 3 could be correct. It is okay to not be able to eat everything on your plate. Because of the culture everyone from a 2 year old child to an adult will have their plates filled with the same amount of food and handed to them.…

Culture – Leftover Food

Sam Smucker March 4, 2012 August 23, 2017Cultural Insights

Last culture question was why the man in the photo was hitting the special log. While it is true that grubs found in some trees, such as sago, are sometimes a part of one’s diet, this log is different. This log, called a garamut, has been hollowed out and makes…

Culture – Hitting a Log

Sam Smucker February 14, 2012 February 14, 2012Cultural Insights

The last cultural question was about a person pointing towards the road which 67% answered correctly. This gesture is equivalent to hailing a cab. It is used to try to get a ride on a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle). In many places they will also try their luck with any…

Culture – Pointing at the Road

Sam Smucker January 20, 2012 January 20, 2012Cultural Insights

The last culture post asked the question about what holding hands with the same sex means in Papua New Guinea. If you have someone of the same sex that you are good friends with, you would hold their hand while you talk to them. It is simply a sign of…

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