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Tanzania, Arusha

Two Beers and a Different Person

Local hotel owners on rowdy guests, respectful guides, and a community that got used to visitors.

This story is a Tourism Voices Original and was recorded in the early 2000s. Recent visits show that many aspects of it are still relevant. The Tourism Voices Assessment project will update the story soon.

We have almost no problems with tourists. But sometimes people drink too much at the bar here, and a couple of beers can turn someone into a completely different person β€” loud, sometimes aggressive, and we never quite know how to handle it. Some also want to smoke marijuana, which is illegal here, so we advise strongly against it. We can't stop them, but they're taking a real risk if they do.

Some people really become completely different after drinking two beers, and get really loud or aggressive β€” we never really know how to go about those kinds of situations.

Public affection makes people uncomfortable too β€” kissing and touching among villagers isn't how we behave, and it can come across as strange or even offensive. It's best when tourists travel with local guides, since they know exactly what to explain about what to do and what not to, and they can teach visitors about our history and culture along the way.

There aren't many job opportunities in the villages, so more and more men are leaving to find work elsewhere. Under African tradition, men can marry more than one wife, so it isn't unusual for a man to come home with a second one. On the whole, local people are genuinely fine with mzungus β€” white visitors β€” coming here. It might have felt strange at first, but people are used to it by now. They're a welcome distraction, and the community benefits from having them around.

A community that adjusted to visitors long ago β€” mostly on its own terms.