Acclimated to Africa: Cultural Competence for Westerners

Foreword
Acknowledgements
How This Book Works
1# On Our Way to a New Culture
	Developing Cross-Cultural Competence
	Cultural Adjustment 101
	Culture Shock
	Culture Clusters
	Conclusion
2# Clocks and Calendars: Navigating Concepts of Organization
	Living with Ambiguity
	Events and the Clock
	Planning
	Public Events
	Living in the Present
	Conclusion
3# Sharing, Hiding, and Hoarding: Navigating Concepts of Finance
	Collective Thought versus Individual Thought
	Friendship and Sharing
	Friendship and Money
	Negotiations
	Accounting
	Conclusion
4# Allies and Obligations: Navigating Concepts of Friendship
	Relationships and Reciprocity
	The Cost of Friendship
	Social Networking
	Intentionality and Commitment-Based Friendships
	Gifts and Other Dues
	Collective Friendship
	Hospitality
	Visiting
	Community Gatherings
	Conclusion
5# Magic, Morality, and Entities in the Air: Navigating Concepts of Spirituality
	African Spirituality: Current, Real, Distinct
	Interactions Between Humans and the Divine
	Premises of Spirituality
	Chance versus Spiritual Causation
	Spirituality in the Social Environment
	Community versus Individual Moral Code
	Conclusion
6# Riddles and Gifts: Navigating Concepts of Communication and Conflict
	Styles of Communication
	Direct and Indirect Messages
	Information versus Friendliness
	How to Say “Yes” and “No”
	Managing Conflict
	Conclusion
7# Standards, Status, and Resources: Navigating Concepts of Leadership
	The Role of the “Big Man”
	Implications of Status
	Ownership, Control, and Authority
	Conclusion
8# Labor, Loyalty, and Lounging Around: Navigating Concepts of Work
	Employment
	Evaluating the Workplace
	Solidarity in the Workplace
	Relational Networking
	Conclusion
Epilogue
Appendix A: Cultural Adjustment Process
Appendix B: Data Points for Travelers
References
About the Author