Singing the Auburn Fight Song to 200 co-workers and Afghani Culture

The comments from a couple of posts ago made me realize that not everyone has read some of the same briefings as I have on Afghani customs and cultures.  But first, the House meeting.

Every Sunday the Colonel has a house meeting were outgoing awards are presented and new people are harassed.  Part of the harassment usually entails standing in front of the 200 or so people at Qalaal House and state who you are, where you’re from, where you’re going, what you’re doing and something that is supposed to be embarrassing.  In the past it has been things like saying a nursery rhyme, saying why you are famous, or singing a short children’s song.  Tonight the Colonel played into my strengths.  First, he was going to give me a microphone and make people listen to me.  Second, he said we had to sing the fight song of either the college or high school we went to.  My mike time “My name is Chris Zell.  I am coming here from Ft Jackson by way of Columbia, SC.  (Spattering of cheers from the army soldiers who went through Ft Jackson, part of my plan)  I’m heading down range to Shank to do some project engineering.  I come from a school where the football team tends to score like a basketball team.  Now, don’t get upset if I mess up a few words because I’m usually singing this with a drunken mob.  SING FIGHT SONG HERE”  If I can brag on myself for a second, this was probably the best rendition of the War Eagle Fight Song ever heard in this part of the world.  It was sung loud and true.  And yes, I received a rousing ovation!

Some Afghani cultural items. 

-Yes, Afghanis use their left hand for rear end hygiene purposes.  It is considered an insult to use the left hand with dealing with them.

- Bathing seems non-existent.  The odor is noticeable for quite some distance.  The security force on this compound are required to bathe when they get here because they share our DFAC and it was becoming an issue. 

- They tend to hold a hand shake for a very long time and stand very close when conversing.  They greet with kiss on the cheek and an embrace.

- The soles of feet are considered dirty.  Do not ever show the sole of your foot to them, it is considered an insult. 

- Man-Love Thursday.  I shouldn’t have to explain this, the saying is “A man is for fun and a woman is for having babies”.  I thankfully haven’t witnessed this but others have.

- Afghans tend to be more lax with time.  They’ll get there when they do.  They will socialize and take their time before getting to the business at hand, if they do.

-Afghans are very honorable in that they have a set of rules that they live by and honor.  If they invite you to their house they will spare all they have, they tend to give gifts, and will make sure harm doesn’t come to their guest.  On the flip side if they feel dishonored, they will seek revenge.

- They have a saying “God Willing” that is used if they don’t want to say no or to explain something that has happened, “God’s Will”.  They tend to live for the moment and don’t make future plans.  They will be here tomorrow, God Willing.  It comes into play in our contracts because if you pay too much up front they may take off before the job is complete.

Most of the Afghans around the Green Zone have been “Americanized” as far as they are more used to the way Westerners act.  They aren’t as offended as the Afghans that are downrange and in more rural settings.  It’ll be interesting how true some of this becomes when I get downrange.