In about an hour, I have a major test which will evaluate my knowledge of the Lugandan language. Unfortunately, I could not care less about said test due to the fact that it will not impact my grade in any way. Thus, instead of studying, I have decided to explore cultural differences instead of being studious.
Cultural Difference Number 1: Drunk driving
United States stance: I know that drunk driving happens. But most people do not go into an evening planning on driving drunk. It comes about out of necessity or being so intoxicated the idea doesn't phase you. Even those who do drive drunk often do not really speak about it or wouldn't brag about it. I think it is somewhat taboo--you wouldn't tell your mom that you were driving drunk the night before.
Ugandan stance: Last weekend I went out with my host brothers, Arthur and Dennis. In planning the evening, we got into an argument that went a little something like this:
Dennis: We should ask mom if we can borrow the car.
Me: Yeah, but that would mean you'd have to stay sober and that wouldn't be any fun. We could just taxi it or take bodas.
Arthur: Yeah, you still want to have a good time.
Dennis: Oh, I'd still drink.
Me: You can't be drunk driving! It's dangerous. (I sound like a mother, but oh well)
Dennis: I drive better drunk than I do sober. (He is serious).
Me: (Insert the normal American objections to drunk driving...)
Arthur: Well, the thing is that we have a car. If people see us taking a taxi or a boda, they'll think we're low.
Me: But we can't be driving drunk!
Dennis: Kyla, everyone driving at that time of night is. It's just part of our culture.
While we did not end up taking the car out (mama didn't let us), it was crazy to hear people planning two days in advance to be driving drunk. There was no shame in it, they thought I was strange for having any objections. Their mom even frequently lets them drive in that state. And on the taxi drive home, it seemed exceedingly apparent that everyone else really was driving drunk.
Cultural Difference #2: Beauty
US Stance: Skinny is everything. And you should probably have a tan. Enough said.
Ugandan Stance: Big is beautiful. Apparently it is common for men to ask their wives to put on weight once they get married because they like big women. You can often tell if a woman is married or not based on her weight. My grandma here has a hard time not understanding why I don't want to eat five pounds of food at every meal because she can't understand why I wouldn't want to get fat. Being told "you've put on weight" here is a compliment. But not one that I readily enjoy.
Women also want their skin to be lighter. They pay money to buy products to lighten their skin. And to think we pay money in the states to use tanning beds.
Cultural Difference #3: Homosexuality
US Stance: Increasingly, homosexuality is being accepted in the US. Although most states don't allow gay marriage and probably won't for a long time, most people wouldn't agree with the like of extreme hate groups like Fred Phelps. Although it is a difficult thing to come "out of the closet" and there is definitely a lack of acceptance in a lot of cases, your life is almost never in danger for coming out.
Ugandan Stance: There is currently a bill in Parliament that would make homosexuality punished by death. It is expected to pass. The biggest opposition to the bill comes from fears that foreign aid would decrease if the bill passed. In an interview with one of the bill's proponents, the man said that they couldn't worry about what foreign countries wanted to happen in Uganda, they must focus on the moral future of the country.
When we went to visit the king of a tribe in Western Uganda, we were given a speech about the tribe's culture. As a part of the speech, the man listed off what were crimes in the Ugandan culture. The order went like this: homosexuality, murder, urinating in clean water, and finally rape. Yes, homosexuality is worse than murder.
The crazy thing is that you see men all the time holding hands walking down the street. Because homosexuality is not even ever considered to be a possibility, the men are much more affectionate to show friendship.
Okay, that's all I have time for now. If anyone ever wants to send me updates on the NCAA tournament, I would be eternally obliged. Here's to a weekend of rafting on the nile and a boose cruise!
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