Fale Faux Pas

If you could indulge me for a moment please think back to what you did last Sunday.  Were you watching football? Were you in the garden? Were you working? Were you busy doing anything at all?

 

Not in Samoa you weren’t.

In Samoa, Sunday is a day to attend church and to be with family, any other sort of activity is frowned upon.  Even something as simple as going for a run is seen as disrespectful, as you are expected to behave quietly and travel slowly around villages. 

Now picture yourself in Samoa.

What do you want to do when you get there?

You want to check out the local church?

Good call!

But whatever you do, don’t point your feet at ANYONE.  This is seen as very rude.  You need to tuck those nasty things beneath your legs or cover them up with your lavalava. 

WHAT!??  

You don’t know what a lavalava is? 

You thought you could just wear pants?  

Not a chance, this is a sacred day for the Samoan people, traditional clothing must be worn to church.  Just do this and you will be able to get through Sundays easily.

It’s Tuesday now? 

You were just standing around a fale and then someone yelled at you to sit down?

Well did you notice that there were elders seated in there?  Either that or you were pointing with your toes again…

It is considered customary for one not to stand in a fale where elders are seated.  Don’t make that mistake again.  And for heaven’s sake, if you want to take a photo, make sure you ask permission first.

Look, don’t stress about travelling to Samoa.  All you need to do is travel smart and do a bit of research before you go, or even just ask questions when you get there.  The culture is certainly different from Western culture but if you go over there open to their ideals and traditions then you will have a trip to remember!