When in Rome or Samoa ...

This is advice to visitors on Samoan etiquette from the Western Samoa Department of Economic Development’s booklet. Western Samoa The Land, Its People, The Way Of Life : • Don t do or take anything in the village without first requesting permission from the person, who holds the pule. The Samoans feel highly honoured when their pule is given due recognition and will go out of their way to please visitors. i j Don’t drive a vehicle, ride a horse, wear an umbrella or carry a load on your shoulders when passing in front of an open fale (Samoan house) in a village compound wherein chiefs are holding a fono (meeting). • Don’t drink a cup of kava in a kava ceremony without first of all tipping a little out of the cup into ground immediately in front of you. • Don t wear flowers inside a church. • Don’t eat while standing inside a fale or walking in a village. • Don’t address your Samoan hosts in their foies while standing. . .

Do not stretch your legs out while sitting. If you are tired while sitting cross-legged you may cover feet and legs with a mat and then stretch them. • Dont undertake heavy manual work on Sundays. • Don’t be overwhelmed by village children swarming all over you.

They are naturally curious. The friendlier you are, the more excited they get.