Offering and Complimenting Items

In Somalia, offers are typically made several times. Before accepting the third offer, it is customary that you gently reject the first one. This conversation is courteous since the invitation was persistently extended, demonstrating hospitality, and the initial denial, demonstrating humility and the lack of greed.

Make sure to provide everything in return several times more. A Somali may, out of modesty and politeness, say, "No, it's okay," even though they intend to accept the second offer if you just make one.

When you compliment something at a Somali person's home, be wary since they might feel compelled to give it to you as a present. Insist that you appreciate their gesture but do not wish to accept it if they try to offer it to you. If you accept the Somali's offer of the object out of politeness, they can wind up giving you something they really wanted to keep.

In Somalia, there is a strong belief in the evil eye, which holds that someone's misfortune can be brought on by another person's envy (xasad) of their success or material things, which can occasionally take the form of a curse. Once you've acknowledged something, don't complement it again or keep praising it. A Somali person may get concerned that the evil eye will be envious of them as a result of this.

Following a compliment, people will say "Mashallah" (May God bless) to ward off the evil eye.
When receiving a compliment, be humble and grateful. This is accomplished by returning a compliment on the same subject that is similarly respectful. You can send them Allah's (God's) blessings if they practice Islam.