Everyone could use a cheat sheet when visiting another country, there are different customs, and tipping amounts, there are things which would be considered rude, or would flag you as a tourist. Find out how to keep up in one of the most diverse countries in the world! Yes, English Works Here South Africa is home to 11 different official languages, and English only comes 4th most spoken on that list. Topping it are Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans as the first three, but finding someone who speaks or understands English is pretty easy. Learning multiple language is something of a common thing here, so there is no reason to panic at not being able to be understood by the locals. If you find yourself wishing to converse with locals in their own language you'll have to ask what they speak and find a translator dictionary, which some book stores carry here. A Braai by Any Other Name... There are a few other local-only terms that are handy to know like braaing, and yes that is spelled correctly. It is pronounced 'bry-eeng' and is definitely *not* a barbeque. A braai is a social event that features grilled meat of many varieties, but most often lamb chops, boerewors (a farmer's sausage) or chicken. These social affairs can be for lunch or supper and last for many hours, where the counterpart - a barbeque is usually just a different way of cooking meat, devoid of much of the social gathering aspect. More Handy Terminology If you'd like to learn just a handful of terms that will be very useful at least in terms of your own comprehension when you hear them, here are some of the most common: Robot = a street/traffic light; Boot = the trunk of a car; Takkies = sneakers
Everyone could use a cheat sheet when visiting another country, there are different customs, and tipping amounts, there are things which would be considered rude, or would flag you as a tourist. Find out how to keep up in one of the most diverse countries in the world!
