Toothpicks as a sign of wealth

I was having a chat with a friend quite some time ago but thought it would be nice to share...

We were having dinner and I asked her about the significance of the toothpick. You see, in Kenya, there are toothpicks on every table in every restaurant - no matter how nice the place may be or how many stars it may be rated. People eat their four or five course meal and then take a toothpick and conduct nothing short of root canal for a few minutes. It still catches me by surprise. Picking food out of your teeth is something that most Americans hold for quality, private bathroom time.

My friend enlightened me... "The toothpick is a status symbol...it means you've eaten meat...so when you see men walking around town with a toothpick in their mouth, they're letting everyone know that they've had meat...that they can afford to eat meat..."

"The toothpick is a status symbol?"

"Yes, of course. Men who can afford to eat meat walk around with toothpicks in their mouths every day and get large pot bellies so you can 'see' their wealth...if they didn't have the toothpick, how would you know that they could afford to eat meat every day?"

There's always something to learn here...that's what makes it all so interesting, challenging, frustrating and great.

Watching History

I'm watching history this morning. Kenyans have finally voted YES to a new constitution (to replace the document written when the English granted independence about 60 years ago) and it's really emotional to watch. Kenya is struggling to find itself in a new age. It seems like Kenya is trying so hard to elevate itself and its people out of poverty and into a new way of life...it's been a long struggle since fighting the English for independence...through brutal dictatorships that Africa is famous for...and through violent elections. But today as I watch the television I just feel very proud of Kenya for not giving up...Kenyans never seem to get tired of trying. They have fought a good fight and now have a new constitution that, isn't perfect, but goes a long way to bringing balance back to the country's legal systems as it grants equal protection under the law and provides more opportunity to Kenyans who have, until now, been pushed aside. The Chief Justice and Attorney General who have had their jobs for far too long and who have overseen and participated in some of the worst corruption scandals and rights abuses have to leave office which I think is one of the best things about this document. The old regime is slowly being pushed out and Kenyans seem to understand, maybe for the first time, that their government works for them...they are in office to serve... It's a very proud day and I'm very lucky to have been able to be here to watch this. It's a new beginning and I just hope that Kenyans seize the opportunity and make the most of it...moving ahead in a positive direction for all Kenyans and proving to be a shining example to all other African countries still choked by horribly written constitutions that have no value, fake elections and sloppy dictatorships...