@retalien

If you don’t know much about African cultures, let me give you a quick Nigerian example: Yoruba culture is built on deferential respect for elders. A classic Yoruba greeting is prostrating for boys and kneeling for girls. It’s so ingrained that even little kids automatically drop into the posture in front of any elder. We’re not in the 80s anymore — nobody’s expecting full-body prostration on concrete — but try skipping the greeting and see what happens. The stink eye, the death threats via eye contact and hand gestures from your parents and other elders… it’s enough to scare off any nightmare. There are tons more customs, but this one alone says a lot. So next time a Yoruba person, especially an elder, greets you, match the energy. Respond appropriately.

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