Visiting Etiquette

Visits are important to building relationships in Ethiopia. You can expect people to be extremely welcoming and hospitable. In Ethiopia, it is normal for friends and family to visit each other's houses without giving prior notice, although people in urban areas may pre-arrange visits. It is common to receive an invitation to socialise over the evening. Be mindful that an Ethiopian person’s home is also their private place for prayer. Therefore, it is important to be clean and respectful. Remove your shoes before entering someone's home, any church or mosques.

If the guest arrives during a family mealtime, Ethiopians will usually invite them to join the meal. It is best to bring a gift when visiting someone’s home for the first time. Guests are always served something to drink upon arrival, usually coffee or occasionally tea. Coffee drinking is a very social and familial activity. It often allows hosts to introduce their guests to neighbours and family. Men and women usually socialise freely together. However, in some Muslim homes, the two genders may separate and have different discussions. Expect any visit to last at least an hour, if not multiple hours. It takes an hour at minimum just to serve coffee in the traditional manner.