User:The Obento Musubi/When in Hawaii...
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
...don't necessarily do as the locals do. Here is a non-Wikipedia related list of what locals and tourists alike should do. The reason why tourists shouldn't necessarily do as locals do is because tourists should not try to talk in Pidgin English, which is a primarily stylized pidgin of Hawaii. Many locals may be offended by this, and may view it as a type of mockery.
[edit] Vocabulary
- haole - a non-local; usually a name given to Caucasian people.
- aloha - love; hello, goodbye
- ohana - family
- mahalo - thank you
[edit] Guidelines
Although many western cultures, especially the United States, condone loud and obnoxious behavior. In Hawaii, it's customary that people try to not be loud and be more introverted, as loudness is looked upon as trying to draw attention to yourself, which many locals disagree with.
It is a good idea to also not try to speak in Pidgin English, as it may seem offensive to many locals. It is also a good idea to try and learn how to say Hawaiian words properly. Also, do not get mixed up with the terms "from Hawaii", "Hawaiian", and "local". "Local" and "from Hawaii" have the same meaning, which is people that are "from Hawaii". However, if you call a local a "Hawaiian", it may seem offensive, because "Hawaiian" refers to the Native Hawaiian people. Thus, when you see someone from Hawaii who is not of Hawaiian descent, make sure that you do not call them Hawaiians.
Do not listen to equivocal stereotypes of Hawaii. For starters, people living in Hawaii do not live in huts with grass skirts and coconut bras and dance the hula all day. In fact, many locals lead perfectly normal lives. Houses here are like those of the mainland United States, except there is usually no chimney (who needs a fireplace in Hawaii?) and there is no central air conditioning in residential buildings. People in Hawaii have regular jobs like people from the mainland. Do not ask anybody if Hawaii is a state, because it is officially the 50th and latest state of the United States of America (being officially inducted into the U.S. in August of 1959).
When driving in Hawaii, please do not get flustered with slower drivers. There are two rules that you must try to obey when in Hawaii:
- Do not honk your horn under any circumstances, unless if supporting signwavers or saying "Hi" to somebody (although I don't recommend it, because it irritates me personally).
- Always put a shaka or a hand up when cutting in front of somebody. It generally means "Thank you for letting me cut in front of you". If you don't do this, many people will believe that you're ill-bred.
Locals tend to be very humble, and compliment others often. Instead of making it seem like you deserve the compliment, either deny that the compliment is true (showing a sign of humility, which is a very highly respected value in Hawaii) or return the compliment. Locals do not appreciate it when people believe that they are entitled to something, like money or praise, and feel that it is the thought that counts. For example, if you offer to pay someone back, they will usually say, "No need, I got 'em." Your thought of repaying them is what they focus on.
Do not wear an aloha shirt, puka shells and lei around all the time in Hawaii. It makes you stand out like a sore thumb, because only tourists do that. A simple T-shirt and cargo shorts will suffice.
The last rule I will cover now is that you should take off your shoes before entering one's house. Like Japan and other Asian communities, locals do not appreciate it when guests leave their footware on when entering the house, because it can track dirt in and get the floors unnecessarily dirty. Usually, people in Hawaii leave their footware outside, but be aware with what the home owners request you do with your shoes. If they ask that you leave your shoes outside, leave them outside. If they request that you take off your shoes and bring them inside, then do so.
