QUESTION TIME: Is there a preconception about your workplace (climate, people, lifestyle) that many foreigners believe to be true but are actually false?

En Bolivia hay muchas ideas preconcebidas entre las que podemos mencionar:1. Al ser Bolivia tan diversa en el ámbito de pisos ecológicos y por ende en climas, que se indica que los de clima cálido son personas más querendonas y sociables. Eso es relativo y depende más de la personalidad que del clima en sí. En ambas regiones hay gente muy amable y querendona, así como también gente amargada y egoísta.2. Otro ejemplo es el caso de la famosa “hora boliviana” que se refiere que a todo se llega con una hora de retraso. Si esto fuera cierto habría un serio problema de cumplimiento en las responsabilidades que deben ejercer las personas y que en el ámbito legal y de cumplimiento de obligaciones sería catastrófico. De que existe personas poco formales  e irrespetuosas, las hay. Eso no debe conducir a una generalización.3. Otro ejemplo, es sobre la calidad de la carne, se dice que la del altiplano es de baja calidad con relación a la de los llanos (zona ganadera). Eso depende del punto de vista y el gusto de las personas. Se ha demostrado que la carne del altiplano contiene menos grasa y al realizarse el pastoreo en tierras salinas, eso hace que la carne tenga un sabor muy agradable, pero en menor volumen.

s there a preconception about your workplace (climate, people, lifestyle) that many foreigners believe to be true but are actually false?  

In Tanzania, vistors, especially those from Western countries have a misconception that all people in the country and the african in genaral are not trust worthy. For instance that when is given for instance money to buy you something will not return the change or worse than that may not at all implement the requirement instead ran away with it.

This is a misrepresentation, where as such characters are there, like even in developed countries, they are very few. Very good and well trusted people are there and are the majority. Generalisation of such is not fair, and its hightime this is erased from the mindsets. Tanzania has the second largest economy in the East african Region where Tourism sector is the largest foreign exchange earner having of recent times overtaken Gold sales. If the  preconception  that was true, the country would not be receiving many tourists. 

s there a preconception about your workplace (climate, people, lifestyle) that many foreigners believe to be true but are actually false? - See more at:

There is a preconception that Tanzanians are lazy and not competant, When given a piece they will not accomplish and spend less time to work than the time spent for lesting.

This is a misconception because most of the judges do not investigate the reasons for not accomplishing pieces timely and they judge it as lazyness, sometimes people fail due to means of communication when a piece is supporse to be communicated in English while our language is Swahili, due to language barrier people feel inferior and lose confidence. Also people need to be enhanced with skills that will enable them to perform as well as motivation.

Climatic wise, The country differs in zones , eg southern highlands- (Iringa, Mbeya, Rukwa and Ruvuma regions) people are hard working as the climate favours, as well as the Nothern zone (Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Manyara) and Lake zone (Mwanza, Shinyanga, Geita and Kagera)  , the problem are with Coastal people (Dar es Salaam, Coast, Lindi, Mtwara and Tanga ) were the wealther is so hot and people can not spend much time working. Example, People from coast spend 3 hours in farm while their fellows from other parts spend 7-8 hours a day.

Foreigners have a misconception that Zimbabwe is not a friendly and safe country where foreigners can visit. This is not actually true. Although Zimbabwe has its own share of economic and political challenges, Zimbabweans hate violence. They are the most peace loving citizens. Some International tourists have  actually testified to this after visiting Zimbabwe as they had a totally different picture and understanding of Zimbabwe before.

In Zimbabwe the official unemployment rate has been reported to be above 90%. Foreigners may have a misconception that the majority of Zimbabweans live in abject poverty. Although, most Zimbabwean youths are formally not employed  some have found ways of surviving through engaging in the informal sector thereby adopting improved life styles. However the informal sector still need a lot of support as it has potential of making significant contributions to the economy of Zimbabwe.