Cultural guide samoa katrina

Survival in Samoa:

A Cultural Guide

© Katharina Kopp

Apia, Samoa

Katha.kopp@gmx.de

Cell phone: 7768208

Content

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 2
I. FUNDAMENTALS CONCERNING THE POLYNESIAN CULTURE ... 5
A. Geographic and Historic Overview ........................................................................................... 5
B. Communitarian Culture ............................................................................................................. 5
C. Hierarchy ..................................................................................................................................... 6
D. Decision Making.......................................................................................................................... 7
E. Concept of Time .......................................................................................................................... 7
II. GOOD MANNERS .............................................................................. 8
A. Behaviour Codex ......................................................................................................................... 8
B. Food.............................................................................................................................................. 9
C. Standards concerning outward appearance ........................................................................... 10
III. LIFESTYLE ................................................................................... 10
A. Housing ...................................................................................................................................... 10
B. Property ..................................................................................................................................... 10
C. Privacy ....................................................................................................................................... 11
D. Transportation .......................................................................................................................... 11
E. Healthcare ................................................................................................................................. 12
IV. WAYS OF COMMUNICATION ...................................................... 13
A. Style of Communication ........................................................................................................... 13
B. Procedure of Conversation....................................................................................................... 13
C. Leadership Style........................................................................................................................ 14
V. SUMMARY ........................................................................................ 14
APPENDIX ................................................................................................... 16
A. Samoan Words .......................................................................................................................... 16
B. Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 17
1. General Information about Samoa ..................................................................................................................... 17
2. Language ............................................................................................................................................................ 17
3. History and Culture of Samoa ............................................................................................................................ 17
4. Intercultural Issues ............................................................................................................................................. 18
5. General ............................................................................................................................................................... 19
6. German Sources ................................................................................................................................................. 19
B) KÄSER, LOTHAR: FREMDE KULTUREN: EINE EINFÜHRUNG IN DIE
ANTHROPOLOGIE. 2. AUFLAGE, BAD LIEBENZELL: VERLAG DER LIEBENZELLER
MISSION UND ERLANGEN: VERLAG DER EV.-LUTH. MISSION, 1998 .. 19
- BASIC ANTHROPOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE FOR INTERCULTURAL WORKERS IN
DIFFERENT CULTURES............................................................................. 19
7. Other Sources ..................................................................................................................................................... 19

Survival in Samoa: A Cultural Guide, MIS 5613, Kopp 1

Introduction
It has been a long-nurtured desire to share some insights concerning living in Samoa as a
Palangi*1. Whatever your intention and intended period of stay may be, may this essay be of help
to you who seek to come and work among these wonderful people. Since many of the mentioned
issues are similar in other Pacific islands, you will benefit even if your interest focuses on other
islands.

Relating to the Samoan people has been a challenge as well as a joy. Overcoming barriers and
getting used to different approaches to everyday living has enriched my personal and professional
life. This guide will give information and advice that has proved helpful while living in Samoa for
over three years. Observing and interacting with other expatriates also enhanced my understanding
of the Samoan culture. These encounters with people from ‘overseas’2, have shown the deep need
and desire to understand how to relate to Samoans in a way that will be beneficial to both sides.

Things change and viewpoints differ even in a small country. This essay is an attempt to summarize
main values we see in the Samoan culture – with the eyes of a female German. Please do share any
observations that differ from the ones mentioned here or that contribute to these.3

Since this is only a short overview, we will focus on some main areas. At the end of the essay, you
will find a detailed bibliography where you can find additional information about different areas.
All Samoan words* that are used here are listed in the appendix as well.

The information that you will find here differs from a tourist guide.4 Our focus will be on the
question of how to become more efficient in our work and relationships in Samoa. We will include
some basics in this introduction.

1
All Samoan words are marked with an * and listed in the Appendix.
2
‘Overseas’ refers to any country that is not Samoa. Here we will mainly address people who have grown up in a
Western country like Europe, USA, New Zealand and Australia – regardless of the many cultural differences that exist
between these cultures themselves.
3
Best way to do this is via email: Katha.Kopp@gmx.de.
4
You will find suggestions for typical tourist guides in the Bibliography.


Relating to the Culture

One of the most important issues in living in another culture is to gain and preserve credibility. One
goal of this guide is to help you increase credibility so you can enjoy the beautiful sides of staying
in Samoa. Some issues concern Samoan expectations from visitors. While that does not mean that
we have to meet all these, it is crucial to know about them in order to understand and be
understood.

Often a certain way of acting identifies us as foreigners. By doing things differently we sometimes
unintentionally close doors5, because people recognize us as foreigners. Someone once said, that
“one of the worst sins6 in Samoa is that of being ese*”.7 As Palangis*, we cannot change the colour
of our skin, but we can adapt to certain cultural behaviour in order to raise our credibility level.
Adapting my own behaviour increased being accepted.

Identity determines how you are perceived and is therefore the most important feature in coming to
a new country. We will take a closer look at some important personality attributes. This is
combined with a display of core values.

Values and Identity

Lianne Roembke’s8 insights proved especially helpful. We will take a closer look at the “Circle of
Values”9 she developed.

Different cultures have different values. Moving to another country brings the need to understand a
foreign frame of reference10. Against this frame, it is often easier to understand and re-evaluate our
own values, because they become more evident in the light of the foreign way of doing things.
Roembke used concentric circles to indicate the position different values have for us.

Figure 1: Roembke11

5
People might be put off by a certain behaviour that they find appalling. This might cause us to miss out opportunities.
6
‘Sins’ refers in this case to unacceptable behavior that breaks a cultural norm.
7
Samoa Observer, 2006.
8
Content of this paragraph is taken from: Lianne Roembke: Building Credible Multicultural Teams, Pasadena: William
Carey Library, 2000, p. 95.
9
With values we mean certain principles and standards that determine the behavior of an individual or a group within a
culture.
10
Frame of reference refers to a specific way of doing things in a certain culture that is different from another culture.
11
Roembke: Multicultural Teams, p 95.


Circle A refers to values that we adapt to without even noticing, B refers to values that can be
changed without too much pain. Section C comprises values that are hard to change and will
usually require us to give up some of our own dear habits. Values in Circle D affect our own
identity in such a way that we might be unable to change them. The need to evaluate different
hierarchies12 is inevitable. Since everyone estimates values differently, you might want to go
through the different values13 and evaluate how important they are for you.

We will now go through some general thoughts concerning the character of a person that intends to
live and work in a different country.

Rothlauf14 mentions a list of interactive abilities for a person working with people of other cultures.
Among these are the courage to open up on a personal level, positive self-confidence, willingness
to understand and empathize with the role of others, knowledge about social relationships, and
above all patience. The ability to change behaviour in order to adapt to the cultural context is quite
crucial as well as the willingness to accept and cope with criticism. Development of character is a
key to being accepted in a new culture. Thus, even a wise handling of conflicts and owning
mistakes will contribute to credibility, in part because it shows your own vulnerability.

In general, we should treat others with utmost respect, no matter how rude or strange their
behaviour seems. Remember that our behaviour might also seem strange and unintelligible to
Samoans. As guests in a country we need to obey the rules of the land.

We will start with some basic truths about the Polynesian culture. Then we move on to the Samoan
understanding of good manners. Reflections on lifestyle follow. Ways of communication will be
the last topic we look at before we close with a summary.

First, some general remarks about the Samoan culture.

12
A simple example: Is it more important to express our personality through the way we dress or is it more important to
be accepted in the culture?
13
Roembke suggests the following core values: food, eating habits, dress, courtesy and manners, concept of time,
personal space, modes of transportation, form of housing, language, methods of hospitality, planning and scheduling of
time, lifestyle, use of finances, property, privacy, sanitary facilities, cleanliness, orderliness, concept of freedom,
children’s education, leadership style, roles of men and women, sense of humour, decision-making and so on. (Lianne
Roembke: Seminar notes, 2006).
14
Juergen Rothlauf: Interkulturelles Management. Mit Beispielen aus Vietnam, China, Japan, Russland und Saudi-
Arabien, 2. Auflage, München: Oldenburger Wissenschaftsverlag GmbH, 2006, p 123.


I. Fundamentals concerning the Polynesian Culture
A. Geographic and Historic Overview

Figure 2: Käser15

The area of the South Pacific comprises Micronesia (small islands), Melanesia (black islands) and
Polynesia (many islands). Since these islands extend over an area of water big enough to fit all five
continents into, the inhabitants had to be good seamen. Settlement by sea started about 1500 BC
probably from Asia, Australia and South America.16 In the nineteenth and twentieth century settlers
and indentured workers from Europe, Micronesia and China contributed to the multiracial
landscape we see today. We will not go further into history17 in this essay. Our focus here will be
on the Polynesian culture that displays many similarities. Maori18, Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan
languages are quite similar, so basic words can easily be understood by speakers of one of the other
languages19.

Our next feature distinguishes the Samoan culture from any Western concept.

B. Communitarian Culture
Family Life and Church Life are the two areas that display how Samoan culture functions as a
communitarian culture20. These two are so closely connected and interrelated that it is very hard to
separate one from the other.

All these islands share on one value, the orientation on the aiga*, which is the basic cell, the core of
the Samoan society. This communitarian culture21 leads to a form of society that is very group-
oriented. Identity in the island cultures comes from belonging to a family or church group rather
than from individual achievements and decisions. This may be one reason, why visitors are often
asked whether they are married or who they are staying with. People want to know who these
foreigners are by finding out which family they belong to. Samoans are always in groups so they
15
Lothar Käser: PowerPoint Presentation Seminar “Ozeanien”, Universität Freiburg, 2005.
16
Käser: Ozeanien.
17
It would be an interesting topic to extend on the history of origin.
18
Maori refers to the indigenous inhabitants and language of New Zealand Polynesians.
19
Language studies are recommended, but will not be part of this guide. There are some suggested guides in the
Bibliography.
20
In a communitarian culture living in a group is emphasized as opposed to an individualistic life style.
21
Fons Trompenaars&Charles Hampden-Turner: Riding the Waves of Culture. Understanding Cultural Diversity in
Business, Finland: WS Bookwell, 1997, p. 67.


will probably try to make you feel welcome by including them in their group. We will look at
possible consequences of this later on.

Christian church22 plays a major part in the daily life of islanders and is usually the cultural centre
of the village. Everyone is part of a church, Samoa provides for everyone, but atheists23. This does
not necessarily mean that the biblical principles are lived out in everyday life. Church takes place
on Sunday morning and during the evening prayer in the aiga*. Official events in Samoa usually
start with a prayer or even a short devotion.

Like in any culture so also in Samoa, we find different degrees of conformity to the status quo.
There is a gap between how things are presented and the actual state of reality. In spite of trying to
protect daughters, many children are born outside of wedlock. While this is a shame for the aiga*,
the family members are usually more than helpful to care for these children. It is also common to
give children for adoption so they will live with another part of the aiga* for an unidentified time
span.

We can better understand this by looking at the hierarchical system.

C. Hierarchy
In the aiga* the head of the family determines each family member’s life. How intense this
influence is depends on his leadership style, but it can go quite far. He might make decisions
concerning marriage partner, career and involvement in daily activities. Church membership is
determined by the family and changing your religion can lead to exclusion from the family or the
village community24. Since even today many families live together with three generations in
extended families, exclusion from the community is a harsh punishment.25 Once excluded from the
aiga*, there remains the option of settling somewhere else, usually in Apia or overseas. Exclusion
also means a loss of identity.

It is quite common for parents to beat children, and sometimes they bear severe wounds from
corporal punishment. The latter might involve tools like a stick and occasionally lead to the death
of the child. Teachers in village schools still use corporal punishment, even though this is officially
forbidden.

The village chiefs, church elders or pastors will make decisions about consequences for non-
conforming behaviour. To prevent this, people adapt their behaviour to conform to the non-written
village rules. Everything that happens will be discussed in the village and excluding yourself might
lead to badmouthing.

There are further issues that can influence decision making, which we will now look at more
closely.

22
The different denominations reach from Catholic over Protestant to Pentecostal and Charismatic churches.
23
Fay G. Calkins: My Samoan Chief, Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 1962, p. 37.
24
This is a typical example for a Fa’alavelave*.
25
In one family, the daughter, who had grown up with the grandparents in New Zealand who were Methodist ministers
became a born-again Christian in later years. When she came back to Samoa, she, her husband and children stayed with
her parents. Since the parents themselves were Mormons, they didn’t accept their daughter’s religion and told her and
her family to leave the house.


D. Decision Making
Rather than making a decision according to the patterns of logic, we find a number of other relevant
factors involved. Most important seems the questions what the other people in the group are doing.
Thus, decisions are often changed very short-notice, depending on what the real or perceived
leaders or the majority decide. Also major decisions like moving to another country can be made
almost as if by chance26. People changing their minds very quickly often complicate long-term
planning. Often it is hard for outsiders to comprehend the sudden change. The basic reason here is
that for Samoans things are usually interrelated, so it is difficult to separate one issue from another.
The outsider might assume carelessness or spontaneity. But Samoans are just used to do what
everyone else does; they ‘go with the flow’.

For example, the supply of food or transport can have a strong influence. Especially the availability
of nice food can change the desire to do something27.

This can be clearly seen by looking at our next topic.

E. Concept of Time
‘Patience is the key of relief’28

The often mentioned concept of ‘Samoan Time’ is based on a cyclic understanding of time29. This
means time is seen as running in cycles. So in case of delays, meetings or other events just get
postponed to a later cycle.30 Traditionally time was oriented at events and signs of nature like
sunrise and sunset during the day or the stars at night. “Being on Samoan time” means not taking
the time to the minute.31

Still, Samoans are aware of the Western concept of being on time and will expect you to do so.
Also it is often only appropriate for the leader to be late. Others are expected to be on time. But be
prepared to wait! Take a book or index cards with phrases to learn to keep you busy.

In Samoa it seems more important to do things right than to rush getting a result. Seeing a Samoan
run is a very rare sight. No matter, whether time is pressing, it is more important to walk slowly to
the bus even if everybody on the bus has to wait.

The event and all its details are much more important than keeping track of time commitments32.
The Samoan word for ‘time’ is taimi, an alteration of the English word. This shows clearly that the
‘concept of time’ is not a Samoan one.

26
People come to Samoa for a three-week holiday and end up staying three years or they go to New Zealand for two
weeks and never return.
27
You will usually find a lot of people in a house where there is a plentiful supply of desirable food.
28
Rothlauf: Management, p 101.
29
Rothlauf: Management, p 101.
30
This might mean for the short-term visitor that he misses out on an opportunity. To cope with this tension is
definitely a challenge.
31
My personal response to that is to not make long-term plans that involve people who are used to this way of decision-
making and time-planning. It only frustrates to have people cancel appointments. It is much better to just ‘let things
happen’ – and they usually do. I’ve also benefitted from Stephen Covey’s observation that it is better to plan time with
the compass instead of the clock. If you know the general direction you are heading for, it is easier to fit in spontaneous
events than if you have an exact time plan. Compare Stephen R. Covey: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, First Free Press, New York: 1989.
32
Lingenfelter: Kulturuebergreifender Dienst, p. 37.


Saying this we must also see the other side which presents a busy and bustling city life in Apia like
anywhere else in the present world, even though on a smaller scale. Deadlines need to be met,
treaties fulfilled alongside many other obligations. Two very different concepts of time meet with
each other on a small island. Sometimes this can lead to difficulties.

Samoans who live in the village often jump between two different worlds, the traditional way of
orienting their time according to events that just happen spontaneously and trying to keep up with
time-management and deadlines. The more remote the village from Apia, the greater seems the
event-orientation. The latter also penetrates the business life. Generally, there is a much bigger
tolerance for delays and absences33 from work than in the Western World.

Our next topic will answer questions concerning acceptable behaviour.

II. Good manners
Every culture has different standards concerning what is recognized as acceptable behaviour and
what is offensive. In Samoa, people tend to judge others by their outward appearance as well as
their behaviour in public34. This person might focus on issues that you are not even aware of.

Here are some general rules for a successful visit in a village35.

A. Behaviour Codex
Legs should be tucked away when sitting on the floor, never extended towards another person,
unless they are covered with a mat36 and the obligatory Tulou* which is a word that a visitor to
Tonga or Samoa will never forget. You use it when passing any grown-up person while lowering
the head. In addition, you should say it when you throw an item to another person or standing up
from the table.

In the islands, age and status are highly respected, which leads to a different verbal approach to
older people and those of a higher status.37

This respect also leads to a form of hospitality, which includes a specific order when eating.
Honoured people, like visitors, older people and higher chiefs have to eat first. Hospitality often
includes that hosts and guests do not eat together because hosts serve while guests eat. Hospitality
is regarded as core and is one of the strengths of the culture.

Samoans usually put others first, but according to their own measure, which might be different
from ours. Their attempt to honour us might even be regarded as impolite or rude. People might tell
you what to do in order to make sure you are safe.

Food is one of the most important values in the Samoan culture.

33
It is quite common to extend absences from work for fa’alavelave* which can include funerals of remote relatives.
34
The decision about what is considered as offensive is in the eye of the observer, in this case the Samoan you are
dealing with.
35
Even in Apia it is good to observe these rules, but the tendency is toward a more Western behavior.
36
This is the official codex that is dealt with less strictly in a less formal context.
37
There is a polite language that differs from the everyday Samoan.


B. Food
Originally, a good part of the day was spent finding and preparing food. Even today, traditional
food takes a long time to prepare. Due to different working patterns, imported and preserved food
has found its place in the Samoan dinner. McDonalds and other restaurants are competing for
popularity38, especially among young Samoans and those who have come back from living
overseas. Still on Sundays there is usually a big traditional to’ona’i* that is prepared in an umu*.
Try to include a to’ona’i* when you visit Samoa.

Unless you are in hurry and only passing through, you can be sure that upon entering somebody’s
house you will be offered food, at least a glass of water or tea.

In general39, you should only eat while you are sitting and after somebody has prayed. At the end of
the meal you should say Fa’afetai* with a loud voice. Somebody might hand you a bowl of water
and a towel after you finished eating. Bless the child who serves you with Manuia* before you
wash your hands.

Concerning hygiene, be aware of regular power cuts and consider what you eat, especially in the
villages. Your stomach might not be used to fish that has been defrosted several times. Ice water
offered in private homes is often tap water40, so it is advised to buy your own water.

Samoans always love to see Palangis* try their food so show them if you like it. They might serve
you huge quantities of food, but you only have to eat what you want to eat. Others will eat the
leftovers. If you do not want to eat something, do not eat it, or you will be served more of it. The
Samoan food might be unusual so ask about food that is new to you. Food is often quite fatty, and
people tend to eat more meat and starchy food than vegetables. Awareness of healthy nutrition is
rising as people become aware of the negative consequences of their choice of food. Especially
older men suffer from various diseases due to their imbalanced diet, since they are the ones who get
all the fatty food that is considered favourites.

Setting a table nicely at home is not necessarily part of Samoan table manners. Often the food is
just placed there without putting any thought to arrangement, even though the awareness of
arranging food nicely even at home seems increasing.

Showing a Samoan friendship, appreciation and respect, you do best by offering food to him – just
make sure you know what kind of food they like.

Fa’alavelaves* also include distribution of food in foam plates or on coconut leaves that are
weaved into trays. People sometimes eat this food at the occasion, but often they take it home and
share it with family members. If you are staying with a family, make sure you bring some food
back from those occasions. This is considered normal even though you might regard it as greedy
and impolite.

Let’s take a closer look at how Samoans present themselves in public and in private.

38
There are good restaurants that serve different kinds of food in different price ranges. These places often change, so
check the actual state of affairs when you arrive.
39
Information in this paragraph has been summarized from Peace Corps: Samoan Language Handbook, November
1995, S. 30.
40
It is possible to drink tap water, but there is a slight danger of getting sick from bacteria. In addition, the water
quality is subject to various factors.


C. Standards concerning outward appearance
Fashion is always subject to very fast change, so we’ll only briefly touch on that topic. Samoans
will read a certain message from the way you dress.

It is best to observe and ask locals. Things such as fuzzy-woozy-hair styles look untidy to Samoan
eyes. The same is valid for a sloppy or careless way of dressing. Hippy-style is not appreciated in
the Samoan culture. If you want to honour people and be respected yourself try to respect their
standard of decency. Pay attention to how you present yourself, especially when going to church or
official occasions. Make sure you wear ironed clothes and style your hair orderly.

Samoans love both local and overseas fashion. Looking at the puletasis* will show you that
Samoan tailors have a good sense for creating their own styles. For official events, men wear an ie
faitaga* with shorts underneath or long pants and a buttoned shirt. Yet, while wearing nice clothes
outside the house, usually as soon as the house is entered, the nice clothes are taken off and
exchanged for a lavalava* and a T-shirt.

Our next topic deals with different areas of lifestyle.

III.Lifestyle
A. Housing
Traditionally, Samoans lived in open houses; everybody slept on the floor together on Samoan
mats. Yet today most families have so-called “Palangi*-houses”, which have one to three
bedrooms and a big living room. Still, often people sleep together on the floor. Many use the
comfort of foam-mattresses and even if they have only one mattress, you can be sure that it is
offered to visitors.

In spite of these changes, the following area is one that is observed as diametrically opposite to the
Western concept.

B. Property

My purse is your purse.

In a communitarian culture, everything in the house belongs to everybody who is part of that
family. The concept of ownership is not Samoan.41 Things are used without worrying where they
came from and without seeing a need to return them. When we as foreigners visit or stay with a
family, or even when we become close friends with somebody, we become part of their family. On
one hand, this provides us with a home and an identity. On the other hand, there are implications
that we have not foreseen. Often, clothes, cosmetic products or money disappears from the bag of
visitors. Likewise, things can go missing after Samoan friends have visited. Somehow, they seem to
sense that it is not right, so it usually happens in an inconspicuous way. You might have two fifty-
dollar notes in your bag and when you come back, you find that one of them has gone missing. It is
best to hide your money or carry it with you at all times. The only way of regaining property that
has been lost seems to ask in an inconspicuous way if anyone has seen the missing item, then wait

41
Fay G. Calkins: My Samoan Chief, Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 1962, p 92.


and leave opportunity for it to be returned unnoticed42. Note that valuables like cameras or phones
usually do not go missing as that would be too obvious.

Samoans are not used to budgeting, so whatever they receive is often spent immediately without
much thought about tomorrow. If they run out of money, they ask friends or family members. As
people get to know you better, they will start including you in their search for money. It is also a
way of making conversation.

Samoans also perceive people from Western cultures as very rich. They see many luxury goods like
cameras and microwaves coming into the country. They do not realize that people have to work
hard in order to be able to buy these items43. They see Palangis* owning a lot of these things. They
assume, that it is easy for Palangis* to provide their Samoan friends with a camera or a computer
and expect them to do so. Since it is normal for Samoans to give the best they have away, they
might expect their expatriate friends to do likewise. This has many implications on relationships.
You might find very high expectations of buying valuable things for friends that you would not buy
for yourself. This is a challenging topic that involves many ethical questions. You will have to
answer these for yourself.

It is common to borrow from others, so be polite but firm if you do not wish someone borrowing of
you.44 During the last years, islanders have adopted a more Western view of “ownership of things”,
which involves stewardship45.

Linked with the value of property is the area of privacy.

C. Privacy
The desire for private space is quite small in a person who has grown up in Samoa, sleeping in the
same bed with parents and siblings. Samoans do not like to be alone or to do things alone. They
always look for somebody to accompany them, especially if they are in a new or unusual situation.
They might fear to leave you alone or think something is wrong with you, when you spend time
alone. Explain yourself and let them know that you are used to being alone sometimes.

Samoan families are very protective about their daughters, so as a female staying with a family, you
should let them know your plans, even though it might go against your independent nature.46 If
something happens to you they will hold themselves responsible and they will be held responsible
by others which can damage their reputation.

The following subdivision deals with travelling.

D. Transportation

“Prayer is the key to our safe journey. Please pray.”47

Samoa occasionally has good roads, yet due to weather conditions they easily get many potholes,
so be careful when driving. Cars, taxis and busses are the main vehicles. Samoans hardly walk, so
there are not many walkways. An inconsiderate way of driving often endangers pedestrians’ life.
42
We will talk later about the necessity of not confronting such behavior openly.
43
There’s a running joke that some Samoans think that overseas the money grows on trees.
44
Language Handbook, p 120.
45
Stewardship involves taking care of things, returning them when finished using them.
46
Language Handbook, p. 84.
47
Sign in a bus in the Philippines, which can also applied to Samoa.


The same is true for bike riding, which seems to be becoming more into fashion especially with
expatriates. This might also be due to the change concerning traffic.

There is currently a big change underway that will change the current practise of driving on the
right side of the road to driving on the left side. This is planned for September 2009 and includes
the need to gradually change the cars that are driven in Samoa.48

Some hints for using a taxi.

Taxi

In town, it is quite easy to catch a passing taxi, but when you are outside the town centre, it is better
to call one. In order to catch a by passing taxi, all you need to do is wave your hand and when it is
available the driver will stop. Single females should sit in the back. Be prepared to deal with the
sometimes inappropriate questions of drivers. To prevent being overcharged, ask somebody about
the expected fare or arrange the price with the driver before you go on a trip. The Ministry of
Transportation also provides plans that tell you how much to pay for which trip49. In the Apia area,
taxi trips are affordable. Another alternative is to use the bus.

Buses

Likewise the buses can be stopped anywhere by waving the hand. Since there are no timetables,
buses in Samoa are always on time. If the bus is full, the driver might pass by and you have to keep
waiting. Alternatively people will sit on each other’s lap, which is quite common. Palangis* and
older people are usually exempted from this rule. This is a way of making the most out of the
available transport, which is often rare in the outer villages. Mostly the buses are safe, yet there
have been accidents due to driver’s carelessness. Overloading busses also reduces the effect of the
brakes. Using the bus is a good way to get to know people even though it takes more time to wait
for the bus.

Be careful on the roads, since the understanding of safe driving is different from other countries.
Speeding is hardly penalized and people often drive very close past other cars or pedestrians and
cyclists. This leads us straight on to our next topic.

E. Healthcare
A lot could be said about this area, but just a few guides here. If you are on regular medication, you
should bring it with you. Doctors in Samoa are helpful, if you have a common sickness. Yet, it
might be hard to find specialists if the common treatment does not help50. Hygiene standards are
not comparable to Western countries, with exception of private clinics. You have to go overseas to
find treatment of more complicated illnesses.

We will now share some basic insights into the area of communication.

48
We will refrain from further comments, but of course this is an act that concerns everybody on the island in
massively.
49
These lists should be available at the Tourism Office in town. There are no meters in Samoan taxis.
50
Apart from private doctors and the official hospital, there is a private clinic, as well as a number of dentists and other
specialists. Private Doctors charge more than the hospital, where you can get treatment and x-rays for any ailment.
Since the doctors in the hospital get confronted with many sicknesses each day, they are quite competent in dealing
with any sickness – depending on the doctor who is treating you.


IV. Ways of Communication
A. Style of Communication
If you want to find out about other people, it is best to ask somebody else about that person. It is
culturally appropriate and you will find people knowing about you before you ever met them.51 In
general, you should keep things to yourself that you do not want to be known by everybody, since
Samoans are not used to keep anything to themselves and they might discuss anything you share
among them.

Often Palangis* are perceived as people who come and ‘know it all’. Samoans call this behaviour
fiapoto*. Try to ask and listen first in order to get to know the Samoan frame of reference. That will
help to understand the Fa’aSamoa*.

The need to maintain face leads to a certain way of communication. Because people in a shame-
oriented culture like Samoa52 try to avoid mistakes, they will often tell a story to cover up.
Laughing also shows embarrassment, so do not be offended when people laugh at you. People will
not admit guilt and it is better to not confront people openly, because it would make them lose
face53.

Confronting communication is very offensive to Samoans54. There are some possibilities to
confront people or to get honest answers from Samoans depending how important the issue is for
you.

If it is not too aggravating, it is best to ignore or make a joke about the issue.55 Samoans love to
joke and they can laugh about anything, even in spite of great problems, they usually maintain a
positive attitude.

If you have to confront somebody, be clear, but maintain a friendly tone. Always finish the
conversation in a friendly way or with a little joke to reconcile the relationship. If you have to
criticise, you can also use a mediator. This is generally a good way to get honest answers. Samoans
often try to find out what you want to hear and answer accordingly. This is not always helpful
especially if you need reliable information.

Politeness usually comes before correct answers. This is equally important for our next topic.

B. Procedure of Conversation
Relationships come before schedules. 56

51
Content composed with help from: Language Handbook, p 12.
52
There are different ways of feeling a bad conscience. In a Western, so-called guilt-oriented culture, we usually feel
guilty when we have surpassed a written or unwritten law. But in a shame-oriented culture people will feel guilty when
their wrong-doing has been publicly exposed.
53
In a shame-oriented culture, losing face is the worst scenario and has to be avoided at all costs. It is much worse to
lose face than to ‘bend the reality’.
54
Roembke: Multicultural Teams, p. 135.
55
It is not easy to describe the Samoan Humour since at first sight it seems cruel, but once you get used to it,
communicating with people becomes a lot easier.
56
Fons Trompenaars; Charles Hampden-Turner: Riding the Waves of Culture. Understanding Cultural Diversity in
Business, London: Nicholas Brealey, 1998, p 139f.


Small talk enables getting to know who the other person is, what matters to them. For Samoans, it
is very important to know who you are, before they are willing to accept you. So whatever purpose
of meeting somebody we have, it is not advisable to come straight to the point. Get to know the
person first and try to feel where they are at before getting your point across, almost
unintentionally. Empathizing helps us understand their priorities and their hidden agenda57. Careful
listening also enables us to understand the verbal and nonverbal message that is being
communicated.

Building informal networks is basic for productive relationships58, which are a basic source for any
desired information59. Everything in life interrelates. People who think synchronic will follow a
thought pattern that is based on experience, not on logic. Also many activities are running parallel
and the whole context is important60. What we said about ‘cyclic time’ applies here as well.

We also need to be careful about sharing our feelings61, since Samoans are not used to doing so and
may find you doing so unusual. They are brought up to hide negative feelings behind a smile and
hardly talk about them. Angry or violent outbursts are only occasional and usually quickly
forgotten. Try to avoid them because they harm your relationships as well as your reputation. Since
we have to live with other people on a small island, we had better forgive them quickly and move
on.

We have already talked about hierarchy, so we will only give a short input concerning leadership.

C. Leadership Style
Based on a communitarian culture, the leader is the one who makes all major decisions.
Challenging this procedure by making other decisions or suggestions – based on own overseas
experiences – needs to be done in a humble and careful way, if at all. Communicating with people
who are older or higher in hierarchy should always be done with the utmost respect, no matter how
hard this might seem. People who are higher up in the hierarchy have certain privileges and we
have to esteem these people. Leadership in Samoa is mostly based on competence and
achievement, but in a village context also on hierarchy and respect. Having status and power is
more important than ‘being in the right’.62

We will sum up our results so far.

V. Summary
The visitor who comes with an open mind and an attitude to accept differences will benefit greatly
in visiting the Pacific Islands. The ability to laugh about mistakes and not become annoyed when
laughed about will contribute to mutual understanding and friendship. Samoans always find a
reason to laugh together and this takes the difficulties out of the severest problems.

57
They might have completely different reasons for getting in touch with us than we would assume. So we as
foreigners have to be wise in dealing with local people.
58
Trompenaars: Riding Culture, p 49.
59
Hofstedte: Globales Handeln, p 130.
60
Trompenaars: Riding Culture, p. 140.
61
Content of this paragraph composed with help from: Language Handbook, p. 81.
62
Geert Hofstedte; Gert Jan Hofstedte: Lokales Denken, globales Handeln. Interkulturelle Zusammenarbeit und
globales Management, Muenchen: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 2006, p 77.


These are only a few hints out of many possible issues. Much more could be said63, especially
about the immense advantage of learning the native language. In spite of trying to give an objective
view, this essay was written from a subjective perspective. You will make your own observations
and probably come to different and additional conclusions. In the interest of a mutual learning and
synergizing results, I would appreciate if you share these insights.

A Palangi* living in Samoa for over thirty years stated, that Samoans always do the opposite of
what you would expect. This statement often helps to understand what is going on. The Samoan
Spirit is strong and in spite of many colonial powers trying to change people64, they are still
Samoans – unique in spite of all the changes.

Today many Samoan families are living in the second generation abroad without leaving their
island roots. We see various life styles with the many islanders living in Western countries like
New Zealand, Australia and the United States of America. Some of these islanders display quite a
Western behaviour while others are attached to an even more traditional form of the Samoan
culture than in Samoa itself. This leads to a melting pot of different life styles with Samoans
themselves. In a way, this makes adaptation easier, because people are willing to excuse differences
in behaviour as long as it is not offensive.

The attached bibliography presents a choice of books that were used to enhance my own learning.
Depending on your interest and the amount of time you want to spend doing further studies in
related areas, you might find these helpful.

May this introduction help you to love and appreciate the people of Samoa, the ‘Penina o le
Pasifika’* in their uniqueness.

63
We have almost completely neglected the whole area of relationships between men and women, but we will deal
with that another time.
64
Calkins: Samoan Chief, p. 88.


Appendix
A. Samoan Words
Aiga Family, includes extended family with all relatives.

Ese different.

Fa’afetai Thank you.

Fa’amolemole Please.

Fa’avae i le Atua Samoa “Samoa is founded on God”, the Samoan motto, included in the
Samoan Emblem on the title page.

Fa’alavelave family problem or occasion, usually involves meetings and food, e.g.
wedding, funeral.

Fa’aSamoa Samoan Way of doing things.

Fiapoto pretending to be clever, trying to ‘know it all’.

Ie faitaga a special wrap-around ‘skirt’ for men, worn for work, to church and
other formal occasions.

Lavalava a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist as a skirt, often worn with
shorts underneath.

Manuia Good; well; also Bless you.

Palangi a person with white skin, spelled in Samoan ‘palagi’.

Penina o le Pasifika pearl of the Pacific.

Puletasi a typical Samoan dress for women, consisting of a wrap-around skirt
and a top in the same material and style, worn at work, to church and
other formal occasions.

Talofa lava Greeting, can be used at all times of the day.

To’ona‘i traditional Sunday lunch.

Tulou “Sorry”, used in many different contexts that require a break in local
manners like passing by another person. (compare “Behaviour
Codex”).

Umu outdoor oven; stones are heated up with fire, and then the food is
cooked on these hot stones.


B. Bibliography
Here you find a short overview of books concerning different areas you might want to study in
depth, each with a short description.

1. General Information about Samoa

a) Bennett, M; Talbot, D.; Swaney, D.: Samoan Islands. 4th Edition, Victoria: Lonely Planet
Publications, 2003. Or online:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/samoa

This guide is usually updated every couple of years, sometimes there are only issues in combination
with Tonga available.

b) Jasons: Samoan Visitor Map.

Jasons: Samoa Visitor Guide.

There is a new guide and map every year that give general updated information for tourists. The
map shows all the major places in Samoa that are of interest for tourists. Both are available at the
airport or at the Tourism Office and free of charge.

2. Language

If you are planning to stay in Samoa long-term, try to learn as much of the language as you can. It
is always best to speak to a person in their mother language, even if it is only basic sentences. Here
are some language guides that will assist you.

a) Peace Corps: Samoan Language Handbook, Samoa, 1995.

b) Samoan Language Course Book, University of Hawaii, 2003.

c) La'i Mosel, Ulrike; So’o, Ainslie: Say it in Samoan, Australian National University: Research
School of Pacific and Asian Studies, 1997.

d) Milner, G.B.: Samoan Language Dictionary, Pasifika Press 1997.

- A very good dictionary, that often gives examples of how the word is being used in context.

3. History and Culture of Samoa

a) Meleisa, Malama; Schoeffel, Penelope : Lagaga : a short history of Western Samoa, Suva :
University of the South Pacific, 1987.

- A short overview over the history of Western Samoa.

b) Calkins, Fay G.: My Samoan Chief, Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 1962.

- Easy to read: autobiographic reflections by an American lady who married a Samoan and moved
to Samoa with him. She describes many areas in a vivid and humorous way.


c) Krämer, Augustin: Die Samoa-Inseln. Entwurf einer Monographie mit besonderer
Berücksichtigung Deutsch-Samoas. Stuttgart: E. Schweizerbart (E. Nägele), 1902.

- Kraemer collected many myths and legends from the old Samoa. There might be updated or
newly edited versions available.

d) Steubel, C.; Kraemer, Augustin; Brother Herman: Tala O Le Vavau. The Myths, Legends, and
Customs of Old Samoa. Auckland: Pasifika Press, 1995.

- A collection of traditional Samoan stories that explain the origin of the Fa’aSamoa* and much
more.

e) Turner, George: Samoa. A Hundred Years Ago And Long Before, London: Institute of Pacific
Studies, University of the South Pacific, 1989.

- Turner was a missionary with the London Missionary Society beginning in 1840. He describes his
observations of the Samoa in those days and the previous history.

4. Intercultural Issues

a) Adeney, Bernhard, Strange Virtues. Ethics in a Multicultural World, Illinois: InterVarsity Press,
1995.

- Guides through intercultural ethics by contextualization to the culture.

b) Lanier, Sarah A., Foreign to Familiar. A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold- Climate
Cultures, Haverstown: Mc Dougal Publishing, 2000.

- A short easy to read overview over the main differences between different cultures.

c) Lingenfelter, Sherwood G.; Meyers, Marvin: Ministering Cross-Culturally. An Incarnational
Model for Personal Relationships. 2nd Edition. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003. (pages used in this
essay from the German translation: Kulturuebergreifender Dienst).

- Basic insights into cultural differences.

d) Roembke, Lianne: Multicultural Teams, Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2000.

- The book focuses on multicultural teams, but touches on many basic issues concerning living in a
different culture, especially the need of bonding and learning the language of the culture you live
in. Even though it refers to missionary teams, there are many basic insights for everyone.

e) Trompenaars, Fons; Hampden-Turner, Charles: Riding the Waves of Culture. Understanding
Cultural Diversity in Business, London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 1997.

- Describes many different areas of cultural differences that are relevant for business people who
work in other countries. He shows many contrasting pairs like individualists versus communitarians
etc. in helpful tables.


5. General

Covey, Stephen R.: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Powerful Lessons in Personal
Change, New York: First Free Press, 1989.

- A very helpful guide for people who want to be more efficient in their own culture and in the
foreign culture they work in.

6. German Sources

a) Hofstedte, Geert ;Hofstedte, Gert Jan: Lokales Denken, globales Handeln. Interkulturelle
Zusammenarbeit und globales Management, Muenchen: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 2006.
(English title: Culture and Organisation)

- Good analysis of different features that distinguish cultures from one another.

b) Käser, Lothar: Fremde Kulturen: Eine Einführung in die Anthropologie. 2. Auflage, Bad
Liebenzell: Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission und Erlangen: Verlag der Ev.-Luth. Mission, 1998
- basic anthropological knowledge for intercultural workers in different cultures.

c) Rothlauf, Jürgen: Interkulturelles Management. Mit Beispielen aus Vietnam, China, Japan,
Russland und Saudi-Arabien, 2. Auflage, München: Oldenburger Wissenschaftsverlag GmbH,
2006.

- A guide for business contacts with people from other cultures, a very good overview over
different important issues, for everyone, not only for business people.

7. Other Sources

Roembke, Lianne: Multicultural Teams, Seminar notes, Korntal, 2006.

Käser, Lothar: “Ozeanien”, PowerPoint Presentation zum Seminar, Universität Freiburg, 2005.


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