Dress code

Surinamese people like to dress neatly when they visit or go to a party. Please take this into account when you receive an invitation from a Surinamese hostess or hostess. When you come to people's homes, you should take off your shoes at the door. You walk barefoot or in house slippers in the house.

General manners

In a normal greeting you shake hands. Very good friends give each other a 'brasa' (hug). Part of the greeting is the question: How are you? or 'Fa Waka' . No detailed answer is expected in return. The Surinamese answer to this question is often 'calm' which means good or okay.

Language

Surinamese people are very polite and often use 'u' and sir or madam as forms of address. Even though most Surinamese speak Dutch, Surinamese Dutch is really a completely different language. Please take this into account and avoid Babylonian confusion by speaking more calmly and asking if they have understood you.