South Africans are some of the most loveable and accepting people in the world, but there are a few things that just get under our skin that the rest of the world loves. Here is a roundup of a few that bug us.
(Greg Lawler/Wikimedia Commons)
1. Die Antwoord
Even though Yolandi Vi$$er and Ninja are making it big all over the world, this “Zef” pop phenomena is a bit of an embarrassment to most South Africans. Not only do the take all the worst parts of South African culture and put it on a world stage, but they do it in the rudest way. If you do however get to see them live, do it!
(Jim Sher/Flickr)
2. BBQs
There’s nothing like a good old braai. There’s just something about making a fire from some wood and charcoal, waiting for it to be the right temperature to slap some meat on it and then carefully watching and turning it, that just gets South Africans going. What is this cooking food with gas BBQ device that the western world is doing?
(Colomet/Wikimedia Commons)
3. Africa The Country
Dear foreigners, Africa is a continent like Europe, Asia and North America, not a country. So when I say “I’m from South Africa” don’t say “Oh Africa.” Cringe! It’s like saying America and Canada is the same place or Germany and France. Do you know how far Kenya is from South Africa? Don’t make yourself look like a fool, please.
(Lachlan Fearnley/Wikimedia Commons)
4. Australians
It must be something about the sporting rivalry or maybe because so many South Africans move there and then bad mouth South Africa, who knows. But there is this common bitterness and a bit of hatred between the Aussies and South Africans. Or maybe it’s because the countries are similar — great beaches, perfect climate and hot men.
(Halibut Thyme/Wikimedia Commons)
5. Halloween
Giving out candy to little kids dressed in strange costumes is a really weird and slightly creepy concept. If someone knocks at your door after 8 p.m. in South Africa, we probably won’t open the door.
(ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd/Wikimedia Commons)
6. “Is South Africa Safe?”
This is the one question that every foreigner asks when meeting a South African. I mean, to be perfectly honest, it’s not the safest place, but I live there and haven’t experienced anything really bad. I bet you have crime in your neighborhood too, right?
(Wikimedia Commons)
7. Winter Olympics
I guess it’s because we don’t have winters like they do in America and Europe (which is a good thing in my personal opinion). We don’t have the ice, snow or the eagerness to freeze and play sports in ridiculous weather. We just don’t get it.
(ComQuat/Wikimedia Commons)
8. Mopane Worms
Why would you want to eat worms anyway? I don’t know a single person in South Africa who goes out to the grocery store, buys some mopane worms and makes it for dinner. As a matter of fact, I don’t know a single grocery store in South Africa that sells mopane worms! Rather enjoy a braai.
(Eduardo Sortica/Wikimedia Commons)
9. Safari Outfits
You can go on a safari in jeans and a T-shirt you know. You don’t need khaki shorts, a hat and trekking boots to sit in a van and watch wildlife be wild.
(NJR ZA/Wikimedia Commons)
10. Everything Is Cheap
The value of South African currency is shockingly low compared to most first world countries. This is great for anyone earning dollars, euros or pounds, but for the average South African wanting to go to America on a vacation, it will cost you an arm and a leg.
(AJ Guel/Wikimedia Commons)
11. American Football
Have you seen South Africans playing rugby? No protective gear, no helmets, just a bunch of guys in shorts and T-shirts taking full on body slams. So when South Africans see Americam Football, we basically laugh.
(Caldwella/Wikimedia Commons)
12. Vuvuzelas
Let’s just leave the vuvuzela in the soccer stadium or, even better, at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Foreigners visiting the country find the need to buy a vuvuzela and walk down the streets blowing it. Do you see locals doing this?
(Wonderlane/Wikimedia Commons)
13. White Christmas
Why would you want to spend Christmas indoors and freezing? I mean, it looks good, but in reality it’s cold. In South Africa, most people are down at the beach enjoying the sunshine and probably having a braai.
(Kusie/Wikimedia Commons)
14. Beef Jerky
Why would anyone want to eat tasteless, dried meat. If you’re looking for something that has a bit more meat on it, try South Africa’s biltong. Plus you can get it in ostrich, kudu or even crocodile.
(Frank Hank/Wikimedia Commons)
15. Africa Time
I blame it on Leonardo Dicaprio’s character in Blood Diamond who brought about the concept that everything works on its own time in Africa. Well, in South Africa we have clocks and watches so when you’re 30 minutes late for lunch or a bus not showing up, don’t say “Africa time.”
