Etiquette, which is sometimes unwritten, is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior of people. It usually reflects the cultures and traditions of countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the second largest country in Africa. With over 200 different ethnic groups, the people of the DRC have a wide variety of customs, traditions, and values. They vary from place to place and group to group, especially when it comes to living in urban and rural areas. Therefore the rules of etiquette differ depending on where a person lives.
Congolese people that live in urban areas tend to have more Western customs and traditions. It is important to greet each other, and inquire about each others' situation before other matters are discussed. Greetings consists of speaking, shaking hands, and smiling. In the rural areas, men and women do not shake hands. Men will shake the hands of other men, and some women will greet men by clapping their hands and bowing slightly.
When dining in the DRC, hands should be washed both before and after eating. People should only eat with their right hands, especially if they are eating with their fingers. Men and women use separate communal bowls; often, women may sit together. When eating out of a communal bowl, people eat from the space directly in front of them. When utensils are used, the left hand holds the fork and the right hand holds the knife.
Dressing in the DRC is greatly influenced by the Western world, but is mixed with traditional clothing such as kikwembe, abacos, or a dashiki. The nicer a person looks, the more respect they will receive. Jewelry is often made from wood, ivory bones, or shells. Many people in rural areas walk barefoot, but sandals and slippers are commonly worn.
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