4. Observe. Perhaps this is the primary skill to practice, especially for many Americans who are used to acting or speaking first when presented with ambiguous or unfamiliar situations. There’s a piece of advice for travelers to Africa that could apply anywhere: “Keep quiet. Listen and observe behavior before offering an opinion.” As a Swahili proverb says, “Travel with open eyes and you will become a scholar.”34 This underscores the importance of observation before speaking. If you’re not sure of appropriate behavior, observe others.