HAKUNA MATATA...

The first word that any foreigner learns in Congo is perhaps Bon Jour, Good Morning (in French - the national language)! The airport officials, taxi drivers, traffic police, elevator man, household help... everybody and anybody you encounter greets you heartily, just as the eyes meet. Yes, people here are generally courteous, and their greeting doesn't depend on familiarity. This leaves a very good impression on the newcomer, who feels being cared for and compelled to reciprocate. But be not surprised if the very next exchange is around asking for money - this too, anybody!

Before you think I'm exaggerating, here are a few incidents to affirm. Once our house owner came on a routine monthly visit of the house, complimented on the apt maintenance, gave suggestions for change etc. and while leaving asked for some money for transport (conveyance)! Said, she'd left her wallet at home and hadn't any money to go back. Similarly, traffic police may salute you, and ask you to slow your car just to ask for a few hundred Francs (Francs is the local currency here, 50 Francs being the lowest); a passerby may compliment on your new pair of sunglasses and then return to ask for money, the shopping mall guard would help your child on the car and.... so on.

Initially, such behavior enraged us, made us feel disgusted and all that... we'd condemn the whole idea of the initial greeting and amiable behavior. But with time we understood that it's just the way of life - a practice. Those asking for money mean no harm but have got into the habit of doing so, as a convenience. We learned to forgive such behavior and concede, telling ourselves - Hakuna Matata... Don't Worry Be Happy, and also to tactfully refuse when it were possible.