Two typical questions I get asked here are “Are you a Christian?” and “Are you married?”
Ugandans will typically think I am younger than I am.
They will accept that I am half Japanese much quicker than the average Westerner.
And they will tell me I should get married. Soon.
Not being married and not having children is just not done here. If one remains unmarried after a certain age, people will think there is something wrong with you. Many Headmasters have asked me “Will you marry a Ugandan?” When I tell them I’m focusing on my work they do not accept that as a viable excuse.
The other day I met a headmaster and had the following conversation:
HM: I am getting married soon
Me: Congratulations! How did you meet your fiancé?
HM: I do not have a fiancé. I am looking for a wife.
In the West, it is 1) find someone who you could love for the rest of your life and 2) think about marrying them. This HM’s approach was the opposite – 1) I’m ready to get married so 2) I’m going to find me a wife!
Which then brings me to my quote of the day – (different headmaster this time)
“You better get a Ugandan as a husband. Look at the cross breeding! English, Japanese and Ugandan! You will create super species!”
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1 comment:
woa that guy was pretty confident to know that someone he didn't know was going to marry him soon. in india they used to ask me the same thing - are you married and will you marry an indian? this woman who worked for the NGO asked me the same question over and over again - in england you can choose man you want to marry? yes! or most of the time!
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