Signs That You Are South African!

South African Vocabulary 

Let’s face it: robots, lekker, braai, wena, and howzit sound miles better than traffic lights, nice, barbeque, no, and how do you do!  Not to mention “now now,” which means any time from right this minute to tomorrow, or “ja nee” which means... um... we’re covering all our bases.

Our family is enormous and inclusive

Everyone you encounter is Auntie this, Uncle that, Mama, Sisi or Bhuti. And not because we’re forced to call them that, but because we just do.

We’re used to working on African time... and staying chilled

You know to avoid the train unless you feel like a leisurely low-speed commute punctuated by brief pauses. If you’re seeking a thrill, you know exactly how to hail a South African taxi. 

Our snacks are suspect

The writers of Madam & Eve used to hide their packages of biltong away from their US friends, telling them that it was “snake meat from Africa.”  The irony is that foreigners call biltong “jerky” and only eat it when camping, as survival food.  Go figure.

We are surprised by very little

Olympic golds?  A Firepool?  Kangaroo meat in the shops?  *shrug* And you know that absolutely anything can happen on the back of a bakkie.

Only we have the right to be critical of South Africa

Even though WE may mock, criticise and moan about South Africa, it is OUR country and holds a special place in your heart. And, just like only you can complain about your husband, wife, brother or mother, so only a South African is allowed to find fault with South Africa. If any foreigner dares criticise her, well, they can expect a groot snotklap. 

You are able to find the good in the worst of situations

Because, let’s face it, South Africa has seen the strangest of situations. When the going gets tough, South Africans toughen up. You will see it in the everything of the white-toothed smile of a child with next to nothing, and in the toothless smiles on the side of the road.

Hawkers

Speaking of the side of the road... South Africa really is the only place in the world where you shop at the robot. Be it for a newspaper, cellphone charger, sunglasses, beaded art work, toys, or fresh fruit.

We dance... whenever

What other country can dance, whatever the occasion? Weddings, elections, funerals... No wonder other countries don’t get us.

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