"People Don't Greet": SA Man in Corporate America Shares Greeting Culture Shock, Mzansi Reacts
- Thando Mbhele, a South African working in corporate America, called out his American colleagues for not greeting
- He shared the moment a coworker walked into his office, asked for a report, and left without saying hello
- South Africans and Africans online flooded the comments to share their own experiences with the greeting culture gap
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Source: Facebook
A South African man living and working in the United States could not hide his frustration after noticing that his American colleagues simply do not greet.
Thando Mbhele posted the video on Facebook on 4 September 2026, filming himself outdoors while venting about one of the biggest cultural shocks he had encountered since joining corporate America. He said plainly, shaking his head.
"These people don't greet, man."
Feel the culture shock at work
The moment that pushed Thando over the edge was a visit to his own office. A colleague walked in, asked whether he had a specific report, and walked straight back out without so much as a hello. He described it with the Zulu phrase "Kunjani?" - meaning how are you?
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For Thando, the exchange was almost unthinkable. In South Africa, greeting is not just a courtesy but a basic sign of respect, especially when entering someone's personal space.
View the Facebook post below:
See Mzansi relate to the greeting debate
The clip struck a nerve with South Africans and other Africans who have had similar experiences abroad. Many rushed to the comments on his page to share their own stories.
Tawanda Nsukuzonke wrote:
"As close as Zim that thing doesn't happen. My 1st year in S.A was bad coz of that. Even strangers you meet in a taxi demand…"
Mpho Sigidi added:
"I saw a video of an 🇺🇸 in 🇿🇦, asking why 🇿🇦 greet so much, even if they don't know you. She found it strange."
Mduduzi Ntuli kept it short and cultural:
"Ubuntu Buse Bantwini." [Ubuntu belongs to the children/people.]
Nkateko Mayimele observed:
"Greeting is such an African thing. People in other continents get surprised when you greet them."
Phindy M Mtshali offered some friendly advice:
"When in Rome do what the Romans do my bro!"
Pablo Sondiya took the conversation back home:
"Even in South Africa people do not greet. It is only in KwaZulu-Natal where greeting is a thing. Zulu people value greeting."
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Source: Briefly News
