Beninese Culture

To get people’s attention, I have seen two things being done. One, they clap really loud, and two, they do this very windy whistle.
Flip Flops seems to be the footwear of choice in all scenarios. The beach, at church, on the job, and...ON THE CONSTUCTION SITE! Eeek, don’t drop the hammer!
Motorbikes is definitely the transportation of choice, no matter what you need transported. Here are some things I have seen different people driving a motorcycle carrying/holding: over 10 long benches, a huge giant tire around the driver, two large sinks, 1 parent and 4 kids, the biggest basket I have ever seen filled with bread, someone on a motorbike holding a 25ft wagon trailer thing...you get the point!
Craziest things I have seen people carrying on their head: 40 pineapples, 7 DVD players, 50 hats, 100 pairs of sunglasses, 7 story device full of nail polish bottles, 2 shovels, huge round rack of clothes (you couldn’t even see the person), somehow someone piled up bread in a manner that it was facing upwards but in layers in a basket that ended up being taller than the person. It’s amazing what they can hold on their heads, so much more efficient! I can’t even balance a book on my head, yet alone 7 DVD players!
School system still confuses me. I think I have elementary figured out, 8-10, 10:30-12, 3-5. Highschool I think is mostly the same, but all of the highschoolers I know are all at school on different times, and later, and at random times on weekends, I don’t get it. UNIVERSITY...oh man, definitely do not understand that system yet! Apparently they start in Sept, but for 2-3 months or something is just registering and settling in, and I don’t know what else, they said January is when they really start classes. Best thing about it is that they don’t get homework! But not so nice thing about it is that their finals are worth 100% of their grade...eeek!
Very acceptable to sleep on the job, all the time we go into a store or a stand and the person is conked out. I love it! Who wouldn’t want to work here!
The culture requires everyone to call older women, “Maman (mom).” Kind of awkward, but I know that it isn’t awkward in their minds, so it’s all good!
Hmm...That’s all I can think of for the time being! I’ll let you know when I learn more, or remember more!