African Friends and Money Matters by David Maranz
Those who’ve enjoyed the hospitality Africa offers typically find the culture warm and inviting. Quick to share a meal, a dance or a hug, Africans are quick to make foreigners feel welcome.
This warmth sets visitors so at ease that cultural differences tend to sneak up and take us by surprise. Most of these differences are centered around our drastically different views of money.
Before anyone heads to Africa, I would highly recommend he read African Friends and Money Matters thoroughly. Offering a crash course in the African financial psyche, this resource will prevent travelers from misinterpreting cultural cues, explain hosts’ expectations, and offer wisdom for how best to navigate relationships with Africans.
While the focus of this book is comparing and contrasting how Africans and Americans handle money, the explanations include valuable information about the history, relationships and beliefs that shape Africa’s culture.
Review by April Jurgensen
Founder/Executive Director