I recently received this very insightful analysis of the differences in the ways that Africans and Westerners perceive money and friendship. This material comes originally from the book African Friends and Money Matters by David Marenz. It was edited and adapted into the list below by Shawn Tyler. Shawn added a lot of the corresponding Western viewpoints you see here.
1A - The financial need
that occurs first has first claim on the available resources - African
1W - Finances may be
categorized and should be used only for designated purposes – Westerner
2A - Resources are to be
used not hoarded - African
2W - Resources should be
invested and saved for a rainy day - Westerner
3A - Money is to be spent
before friends or relatives ask to borrow it - African
3W - Money is a personal
resource and does not have to be released to friends or relatives - Westerner
4A - If something is not
being actively used, it is considered to be available - African
4W - If something is not
being actively used, it is still the possession of the owner and he must be
consulted before borrowing - Westerner
5A - Being involved
financial and materially with friends and relatives is a very important element
of social interaction - African
5W - Westerners distrust
friendships that regularly include financial or material exchanges - Westerner
6A - Africans assist their
friends who are in financial need as a form of investment for those future
times when they themselves might have needs. This arrangement
constitutes a virtual banking or savings system.
6W - Westerners have come
to rely on banks and lending institutions for financial assistance and
encourage their friends to go there.
Lending to friends is seen as a way of creating tension within the
relationships.
7A - The financial
implications of friendship and solidarity go beyond immediate friends to
include secondary relationships (people who barely know you) – African
7W - Financial
implications include only the parties involved and do not necessarily extend to
anyone else - Westerner
8A - Africans readily
share space and things but are possessive of knowledge - African
8W - Westerners readily
share knowledge but are possessive of space and things - Westerner
9A - The person requesting
a thing or money from a friend or relative has an important role in determining
whether or not his or her need is greater than that of the potential donor, and
consequently, of whether or not the potential donor should donate – African
9W - Westerners do not
assume their wealthy friends have access to finances since most money will be
tied up in investments, business capital, or used to pay off monthly
bills. Since money may be designated for
other purposes, being wealthy does not mean money is available for loans to friends.
10A - A person to whom
money is entrusted has a major say in how that money will be used - African
10W - A person to whom
money is entrusted must use the money as outlined by the donor/lender -
Westerner
11A - People who have many
possessions or a surplus of money are judged to be selfish and insensible to
the needs of others - African
11W - People who have many
possessions are judged to be successful in their endeavors without connecting
it to relationships or the needs of others - Westerner
12A - Precision is to be
avoided in accounting as it shows the lack of a generous spirit - African
12W - Precision in
accounting is a sign of transparency, accountability, and honesty - Westerner
13A - Budgeting, in a
formal sense, is not an accepted way of handling personal finances - African
13W - Budgeting, in a
formal sense, is considered a foundational step in personal finances and future
wealth - Westerner
14A - Africans do not
budget for special events; rather they spend as much money and other resources
as they can marshal for each one - African
14W - Westerners value the
ability to budget for special events and to accomplish it without going into
debt - Westerner
15A - Living beyond one's
means and income is accepted as normal and is almost universally practiced –
African
15W - Living beyond one's
means is considered unwise though it may be a practiced by some in all levels
of society - Westerner
16A - When someone goes on
an errand to make a purchase for another, if he is given a bill or coin
that is greater than the amount of the purchase, the person running the errand
will normally keep the change unless asked for it – African
16W - A westerner expects
a person making a purchase for him to return automatically any change because
it still belongs to him unless he expressly says, "keep the change".
17A - Africans often
purchase products in small amounts even though the unit cost is much higher than
for purchases in larger quantities.
17W - Westerners will
purchase larger quantities in order to save on the cost per unit.
18A - A network of friends
is a network of resources – African
18W - A network of friends
that includes material considerations is suspect - Westerner
19A - Visiting is
concentrated on friends and acquaintances that are actively part of a
person's economic network – African
19W - Visiting is
concentrated on friends and family and does not necessarily include financial
considerations - Westerner
20A - Most networking is
done vertically or "up" and seldom "down" socially or economically – African
20W - Most networking is
done horizontally with those who share a common interest in work, religion,
sports, or other social activities - Westerner
21A - African are more
hospitable than charitable – African
21W - Westerners are more
charitable than hospitable - Westerner
22A - Requests are made
indirectly in the form of compliments or hints of a personal need – African
22W - Requests are made
directly accompanied with an explanation of the need - Westerner
23A - Africans find
security in ambiguous (vague, unclear, indefinite) arrangements, plans, and
speech.
23W - Westerners find
security in clearly defined relationships, arrangements, plans, and speech.
24A - Africans show
solidarity with friends at funerals, naming ceremonies, circumcision, feast days,
and weddings through attendance and contributing financially.
24W - Westerners show
solidarity with friends at funerals, weddings, and feast days through
attendance and giving gifts (money is considered non-personal and not as
valued as gifts).
25A - In rural communities,
and less so in urban neighborhoods, people are afraid to accumulate more
goods or property than their neighbors and kin for fear of creating jealously
which may lead to reprisals being carried out against them on an occult
level – African
25W - People in rural and
urban areas may work to accumulate more goods or property without fear of
creating jealousy and reprisals from their neighbors or kin - Westerner
26A - Money
"corrupted" or misused is not expected to be paid back; accountability is not
enforced; restitution is not practiced - African
26W - Money
"corrupted" or misused is expected to be paid back; accountability is
enforced; restitution is practiced - Westerner
27A - A major function of
the government is to provide money and other resources to those members
of society who are in power or have a close relationship to those who
are in power – African
27W - A major function of
the government is to provide money and other resources to those members of
society who are underprivileged, handicapped, or unable to support
themselves. Politicians who enrich
themselves and their friends from government resources are punished by law -
Westerner
28A - Giving preference to
the employment of kin over non-kin is a normal expression of family responsibility
and solidarity – African
28W - Giving preference to
the employment of kin over non-kin is nepotism and is considered a criminal
offense - Westerner
29A - An unjust settlement
(non-objective facts) of a dispute is better than an offended complainant
(subjective feelings) – African
29W - A just settlement
(objective facts) of a dispute is best even if it offends (subjective feelings)
the complainant - Westerner
30A - Those with perceived
financial resources are assigned positions in society as that of givers
and or loaners – African
30W - Those with perceived
financial resources are not obligated to give or loan money since such
resources are obtained through banks and other lending agencies. However those with great financial means
often become philanthropists donating to worthy causes in the community, but
this is done on their own accord and not by pressure from others - Westerners
31A - People typically
receive satisfaction from being asked for financial help, whether or not they
can provide it – African
31W - People typically
feel pressured and uncomfortable when asked for financial help, whether or not
they can provide it - Westerner
32A - The reputation of
people with means is enhanced through the frequent visits of their clients –
Africans
32W - Westerners tend to
be frustrated and inconvenienced by frequent visitors seeking assistance or who
are uninvited or unplanned - even if no request is made.
33A - Leaders in society
(political, religious, and business) are expected to have a small group of
followers, who distribute resources and in other ways provide for their
followers whenever they have needs. It
is most ideal when these leaders have
commanding personalities – African
33W - Leaders in society
are most appreciated when they provide for the general community and avoid
distributing to a small group of followers.
It is most ideal when these leaders have commanding personalities -
Westerner
34A - A person with
financial means is expected to pay a higher price or make a larger donation to
individuals or society than the poor person - African
34W - A person with
financial means is expected to pay the same price for goods but may feel
greater pressure to make larger donations to society (not individuals) -
Westerner
35A - Success in life is
attained through personal relationships, through connections with people in
positions of power and authority, and through spiritual means – African
35W - Success in life is
attained through the accumulation of wealth, positions of authority and power
through ability, hard work, education, and delayed gratification within a
system of a just society - Westerner
36A - When there is a need
for money or some good, the normal and acceptable way to get it is to ask
for it from a relative, friend, or acquaintance that has it – African
36W - When there is a need
for money or some good, the normal and acceptable way to get it is to borrow
from a bank or credit company and avoid asking relatives, friends, or
acquaintances since this is considered impolite and
an imposition - Westerner
37A - Old debts are
forgotten and are not expected to be repaid neither by the debtor nor the lender
– African
37W - Old debts are not
forgotten and are expected to be repaid no matter how long it takes - Westerner
38A - There is a strong
sense in which people want to be owed money by their friends – African
38W - There is strong sense
in which people do not want to be owed money by their friends - Westerner
39A - There is a strong
sense in which people want to be without money so that they can more easily
refuse a request for a loan – African
39W - There is a strong
sense in which people want to have money in their pocket at all times and can
still easily refuse a loan - Westerner
40A - The value of a
development project is not measured by its long-term success or sustainability
– African
40W - The value of a
development project is measured by it long-term success and
sustainability. If a development project
does not show sustainability and possibility of long-term success, westerners
will pull out of the project - Westerner
41A - A loan is eligible
to be repaid when the creditor's need becomes greater than the debtor's
need – African
41W - A loan is always
eligible to be repaid and does not concern the circumstances of the creditor -
Westerner
42A - The repayment of
loans may subjectively change due to changing economic, social, and time
factors – African
42W - The repayment of
loans is due objectively on the terms agreed upon which the loan was made -
Westerner
43A - The responsibility
of repayment of debts is primarily the creditor's to collect and not the
borrower's to volunteer payment – African
43W - The responsibility
of repayment of debts is primarily the debtor's to voluntarily pay without
reminding them and not the creditor's to collect - Westerner
44A - Many people live
with outstanding debts that they never expect to pay – African
44W - Many people live
with outstanding debts that they are expected to pay - Westerner
45A - The risk of a loan
not being paid back is largely assumed by the lender – African
45W - The risk of a loan
not being paid back is largely assumed by the borrower - Westerner
46A - The use of the word
"loan" when requesting money from someone is often a euphemism (substitute
word) for "gift" – African
46W - The word loan means
"loan" and the word gift means "gift" - Westerner
47A - The word
"no" to a request for money, a loan, or a material object, is understood as an insult,
indifference to a need, a lack of respect, or a sign of rejection of the
petitioner – African
47W - The word
"no" to a request for money, a loan, or a material object, is
understood to reflect the lender's ability or willingness to help without
reflection (insult, indifference, lack of respect or rejection) upon the
petitioner - Westerner
48A - The relationship
between seller and buyer may well affect the price asked and the price paid
for goods or a service – African
48W - No relationship is
expected between the seller and buyer.
The buyer will seek the best price and buy from that seller - Westerner
49A - Bargaining for a
better deal in any transaction involves important social as well as economic
factors – African
49W - Bargaining for a
better deal is tiresome and seen as a way of gouging the unknowing buyer -
Westerner
50A - Employers are
expected to provide advances to employees in certain family situations and for
certain holidays – African
50W - Employers are not
expected to provide advances for any personal needs - Westerner
51A - Any financial matter
is subject to re-negotiation until final payment is made – African
51W - Any financial matter
once a price is agreed upon remains intact through the final payment. Changes in price are the basis for court
cases -Westerner
52A - A request for money
from a government functionary or other provider of services may be a request
for a "pretip" rather than a bribe - African
52W - A request for money
from a government functionary or other provider of services before any work
is done is considered a bribe.
Incentives or thanks should not need to
be given since they are merely fulfilling their
appointed functions -
Westerner
53A - Many people will
choose a sure and immediate benefit over a potentially larger long-
term benefit – African
53W - Many people will
refuse a sure and immediate benefit in order to gain a potentially larger
long-term benefit - Westerner
54A - People tend to
accept immediate, cheap, or even quasi-legal solutions when dealing with business
matters or land acquisitions, rather than take care of matters properly,
deal with technicalities or delays, or incur additional expenses –
African
54W - People prefer to
take care of matters properly, deal with technicalities or delays, or incur
additional expense so that future problems do not arise - Westerner
55A - When an occasion
provides the opportunity to make a large profit, it is typically seized
upon. There is little concept of a
reasonable, or just, or ethical price, or of
price-gouging; rather, the accepted practice is to charge whatever the buyer
is willing to pay – African
55W - People tend to
consider and offer what is a reasonable, or just, or ethical price and to avoid
price-gouging or large profits in favor of establishing buyer loyalty for
repeated future or long-term business - Westerner
56A - Inaction or delay in
carrying out a matter may constitute a well-considered,
unverbalized message, and not just be the result of mere inaction, inertia, or
delay caused by unforeseen events (even if the person claims this) – African
56W - Inaction or delay in
carrying out a matter is seen as laziness, no concern for the job at hand or
for the relationship, and will most likely cause the westerner to seek
different partners in future transactions - Westerner
57A - When money is
exchanged in a business transaction, there is very limited recourse when
problems arise such as - mistakes, damaged merchandise, breakdown, or
not meeting contractual stipulations- African
57W - Even after money is
exchanged, westerners expect the seller to be responsible for mistakes,
damaged merchandise, breakdown or not meeting contractual
stipulations. This is considered the
mark of a good businessman. By correcting the problem, the businessman
will gain the customer's future business
- Westerner
58A - When a problem is
encountered in trying to complete or carry through with a transaction
involving finances or other matters, the problem will seldom be clearly admitted
at the outset, but will typically only be revealed over a period of
time – African
58W - Admitting a problem
immediately and explaining what steps are honestly being taken to correct the
situation will ensure the customer that the business is worth future work. Lying about the situation will chase the customer
away - Westerner
59A - When a customer is
told that an ordered article or service or payment will be ready on a
specified time or date, it is unlikely to be ready at that time – African
59W - When a customer is
told that an ordered article or service or payment will be ready on a specified
time or date, it is best to have it ready at that time or even before in order
to ensure customer satisfaction and future business - Westerner
60A - The amount shown on
a receipt may or may not correspond with the amount paid for goods or
services – African
60W - The amount shown on
a receipt corresponds with the amount paid for goods or services and is
considered by law as a legal voucher with punishment served for false receipts
- Westerner
61A - Having the correct
amount of money for a business transaction is the responsibility of the
buyer; it is not the seller's responsibility to provide change – African
61W - Having the correct
amount of money for a business transaction is the responsibility of the seller
who will gladly provide change as a way of attracting customers - Westerner
62A - Giving a large tip
to one person and expecting him to divide it among others is unfair and
unsatisfactory – African
62W - Giving a large sum
to one person and expecting him to divide it among others is sometimes the only
way a tip can be given. It is considered
better to give one large sum than nothing at all - Westerners
