Is this an African thing?

[tamirpcv 0]

This is an interesting thread.

My husband also does the same. Thank goodness we won't have an interview. He just got his approval letter from the CSC today in the mail.

Most people are saying that it could be that Africans just aren't as responsive to dates and number, which is true, but it could also be that he's just not a number person. My mother will remember long strings of numbers that she's seen only once but you tell her to buy you something at the grocery store and she'll completely forget. Maybe your husband is the opposite. Nothing to do with intelligence but dealing with what your brain is more responsive to.

Anyway, I'm sure you're interview will go fine. Just practice. Good luck!

[PurpleSky 19]

LOL nope it's not just your honey. Mine does the same thing. I thought I was pretty well prepared having grown up in a very multicultural atmosphere but still had to take a moment to think on the actual meaning of "I'm coming" or "Let me come...". At first I was like what in the...? LOL But I soon realized he meant "I'm leaving" or "Let me leave and come back"

[Cheyemo 8]

LOL nope it's not just your honey. Mine does the same thing. I thought I was pretty well prepared having grown up in a very multicultural atmosphere but still had to take a moment to think on the actual meaning of "I'm coming" or "Let me come...". At first I was like what in the...? LOL But I soon realized he meant "I'm leaving" or "Let me leave and come back"

LOL! That is so true. When my husband says "I'm coming", it took me a minute to learn that he meant, I'll be right back! I was like "really? You're coming over here now?" LOL.

[KittyPollitt 284]

It's not just a Sub Saharan African thing either! My Moroccan SO couldn't remember the names of any of his schools or dates he attended, and he's only held 2 jobs in his life and he couldn't remember the names of his employers or when he worked there.. We had to dig through mountains of old school papers and find paystubs from 5 years ago to get the names..

His own parents don't know their own birthdays, beyond the year they were born, and he's told me he thinks even they might be wrong about that.. His family was nice enough to throw me a party for my birthday last month, but you could tell it was a total novelty for them..

Seems that on this entire continent, time isn't an issue- let me ask you all this- do you also run into a lackadaisical "I'll get around to it" attitude from them when things need to be done? I feel like I'm in procrastination nation over here.. is that an issue for you guys too?

Sarah

[Leigh Ann 8]

Seems that on this entire continent, time isn't an issue- let me ask you all this- do you also run into a lackadaisical "I'll get around to it" attitude from them when things need to be done? I feel like I'm in procrastination nation over here.. is that an issue for you guys too?

Always. When I was in South Africa and Zimbabwe, it was always "I'll do that 'just now', but 'just now' means eventually, whenever it happens..."

[Golden Gate 530]

It's not just a Sub Saharan African thing either! My Moroccan SO couldn't remember the names of any of his schools or dates he attended, and he's only held 2 jobs in his life and he couldn't remember the names of his employers or when he worked there.. We had to dig through mountains of old school papers and find paystubs from 5 years ago to get the names..

His own parents don't know their own birthdays, beyond the year they were born, and he's told me he thinks even they might be wrong about that.. His family was nice enough to throw me a party for my birthday last month, but you could tell it was a total novelty for them..

Seems that on this entire continent, time isn't an issue- let me ask you all this- do you also run into a lackadaisical "I'll get around to it" attitude from them when things need to be done? I feel like I'm in procrastination nation over here.. is that an issue for you guys too?

Sarah

I have found that my getting mad at his "let's take things step by step"= no steps are being taken attitude, gets him right on his feet! But, I have only just figured that out.

Edited June 25, 2010 by Golden Gate

[Ivo and Cynthia 0]

I really enjoyed reading this thread, and can relate to so many of the things posted here. My husband is from Cameroon and our communication is our greatest barrier. I try to keep reminding myself that how I interpret what he says, is not what he really means. We have had so many pointless arguements because of this. So, now to avoid confusion, I repeat what I think he means and if it is not correct then he tries to make me understand. And I do the same for him. He is such a peaceful and gentle man, and he hates to argue with me, it makes him shut down. And when he shuts down it make me feel like he doesn't want to resolve the issue. So I try to stay calm and resolve the issue without raising my voice, or else he will just tune me out and not listen, if I shout at him. The differences makes our relationship very interesting, we have both learned alot of patience. Honestly, if we didn't love each other I don't think we would still be together.