African Friends and Money Matters

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