12-29-2011, 05:27 PM
Most of the people you will meet will probably be from the mainland at some point, unless they are waiting on you. The true locals aren't particularly eager to talk story to strangers, not out of dislike, but they have lives ... although there are wonderful elders who do love to talk to those who will listen.
I don't know if you have ever lived in an area with a tourism economy. Hawai'i is both different and not so different from any tourist spot. In other places I have lived, where I was the local, we would just ignore the visitors and newbies as it was the only way to feel grounded in the place. I mean, if you pay attention to all that energy swirling through, you lose sight of your own business.
If someone was around for a while, eventually they would make it into the field of vision.
Yes, there are custom differences, but I can't think of a list. Just read people and back off if you sense they are annoyed, and as was said, don't waste your time on thinking about how people are responding to you. People here are typically very nice to strangers.
The main customs I can think of are about driving, like horn honking is reserved for a real emergency warning, not done out of annoyance. People let other drivers in (or out) out of courtesy. Drivers often wave or shaka to each other to communicate.
One important custom is to take your shoes off before entering a home. Some people will then tell you it is OK to wear shoes, but never just walk into a home with your shoes on without finding out what is the custom of that home.
I don't know if you have ever lived in an area with a tourism economy. Hawai'i is both different and not so different from any tourist spot. In other places I have lived, where I was the local, we would just ignore the visitors and newbies as it was the only way to feel grounded in the place. I mean, if you pay attention to all that energy swirling through, you lose sight of your own business.
If someone was around for a while, eventually they would make it into the field of vision.
Yes, there are custom differences, but I can't think of a list. Just read people and back off if you sense they are annoyed, and as was said, don't waste your time on thinking about how people are responding to you. People here are typically very nice to strangers.
The main customs I can think of are about driving, like horn honking is reserved for a real emergency warning, not done out of annoyance. People let other drivers in (or out) out of courtesy. Drivers often wave or shaka to each other to communicate.
One important custom is to take your shoes off before entering a home. Some people will then tell you it is OK to wear shoes, but never just walk into a home with your shoes on without finding out what is the custom of that home.