INTRODUCTION

           Madagascar and Colombia are both beautiful countries, they have a culture and a lifestyle that are very representative and unique. Although they have a different history and contexts, both have an interesting behaviour form. For that reason, I consider that is important to share what things of both countries make them special. However, there are a lot of things to talk about, but in this essay, I will focus on their tradition behaviour. In consequence, while the differences in customs and manners between Madagascar and Colombia are noticeable, the similarities are striking.

             The differences between these both countries are surprisingly specific. Firstly, the way that people greet each other is kind of different because Malagasies make a handshake with their right hand and the left one holds the elbow of the right, thing that doesn’t happen in Colombia; people make a regular handshake or a kiss on the check. Secondly, behaviour when they eat also contrast because Malagasies used to eat at the dining table and after the elderlies start doing it, but in Colombia people just eat when they want to do it and on some occasions in different places. Thirdly, the way they try to refer to other people because in Madagascar is not bad to point someone with the index finger but keeping it bent; like if you point yourself, now, in Colombia no way is good to do this. In conclusion, distinctions in these countries include cautionary things like greet, actions when they eat and point other people.

         Some similarities between these countries are distinct for their kindness and respect. First, a remarkable thing that both Malagasy and Colombian people have is to show respect to older people, for example, in Madagascar use the word Tompoko that something like say “Ma’am” or “Sir” in English; And in Colombia people say “señor”, “don” and “señora” or “doña” that have the same meaning. Second, people in both countries treat tourists well and people that are not from the country; that is because they want that their guests have a great experience. For that reason, sometimes is difficult for they to say no. Third, another typical thing that is currently doing in both countries is that elderly people bless their family members when they have to do something important on that day; in Madagascar people say “Ny tso-drano zava-mahery” which means “blessing is powerful” and in Colombia is used “Qué dios lo bendiga” that is something similar. In conclusion, some of the similarities that Colombia and Madagascar have are the way people treat elderlies, foreign people and how they bless and wish luck to their relatives.

        Other similarities to consider are the things that people prefer to eat in both countries. In the first place, Malagasies and Colombians prefer to avoid certain types of food on some occasions. For example, Madagascar people in some places do not eat pork and in Colombia people do not eat meat some Fridays or on holly week. In the second place, Malagasies and Colombians love rice; in the first country rice is their national grain and in the second country people eat almost every day some rice. In the third place, in both counties there is a big variety of food, this causes that people to eat healthier and that the vegetables and fruits are cheaper. To conclude, is evident that there are similitudes related to the food and what people prefer to eat or not in these countries, like, in which occasion they not eat meat or pork, the importance of rice, and the variety of food.

           To sum up, Madagascar and Colombia as all countries have differences referring to their culture and attitudes but are the similarities which make them interesting. It is important to mention and explain a few differences to contextualize the reader, those differences are related to how people greet, actions that they do at the table, and how they refer to others with their fingers. On the other hand, the similarities that were mentioned show that both cultures have a lot of things in common although were on completely different sides of the world, these similarities are related with the respect that people have to older people, to foreign, and how they wish luck to people in particular forms. Other interesting similarities were to avoid eating meat in certain moments and places, the importance of rice and the food variety. There are a lot more contrast and similitudes between these countries and by showing these characteristics the intention is that the reader takes interest in both countries and their culture.