Expats know it: no matter how much information you have about a country before moving, there will always be things that surprise us. Especially when it comes to folklore, habits or culture.
The kindness and warmth of Mauritius are well known, right? But it goes even further than a simple hello or a smile. And yes, if you've been living on the island for a while and made new friends there, you've probably been invited to a (or more) wedding, birthday or family celebration. This is perhaps what impressed Valeria, a Spanish expatriate in Mauritius, the most after having just taken a job in a Mauritian company. “I only knew the coworker a little and it was not even his wedding but that of his sister," she recalls. The wedding experience is also special, explains Valeria. Indeed, the hosts bend over backwards. for their guests, and even more so when they are foreigners. “I was treated like a queen!”
In fact, Valeria also remembers being very surprised by the number of guests. “There were hundreds of people. It's crazy! ”. And yes, Mauritians are fond of big parties and big meetings. In fact, the beaches witness it on Sundays and during the holidays! Another custom that surprises expatriates: the jam-packed buses making their way to the beach on days off. No, not public transport but buses rented by entire families to get to the seaside.
And yes, Mauritians have a sense of family. Moreover, another habit that surprises expatriates, children who live until very late with their parents. Iggy, an English expat, says he was very surprised when he met a girl who, at 34, was still living with her parents. "She didn't plan to live anywhere else until she got married either."
Public holidays
Another surprise, and a nice one at that, is the number of public holidays granted in Mauritius. Indeed, a year has around 14 public holidays. For the New Year alone, two public holidays are granted, on January 1 and 2, which is a surprise to many according to Abdool, an English expat. “In England, January 1st is a normal working day!”. And then there is a host of other celebrations, commemorations and days of prayer that are officially holidays.
But there are also non-public days off. Teacher's Day, for example, is observed by several schools across the island. “It made me laugh so much when I heard that Teacher's Day was celebrated here,” recalls Caroline, a French expat.
Not all good!
Another thing that surprises, and also maybe scares a little ... driving. Indeed, Mauritians are not very disciplined on the roads according to several expatriates. Etienne, a French expatriate, is even surprised that there aren't more accidents on Mauritian roads. Another observation: Mauritians use the horn for nothing. “We hear horns all the time here! To say hello, to point out something to each other and so much more ... "
