Social Life in Samoa
Behavior
The people of Samoa are very humble and modest as they rarely express themselves in a way to offend another. This comes in respecting other people, dressing modestly, avoiding outward signs of wealth or affection, and having a reverence for God as most people are Christian.
As a visitor to Samoa, that same modesty is expected; modesty in dress, actions, words, and every aspect of your life. Many of the most important behavioral restrictions to be aware of are related to dress, dating (see below for both), and dining (see our Samoa Food & Dining Page for more information). Also try to avoid being loud, rude, showing off wealth, or getting drunk in public.
Dress
The clothing of the Samoans is a combination of past and present as western-styled clothes are popular, but often times in a style and pattern that reflects Samoa's heritage. Both men and women often wear a lava lava, which is a piece of cloth worn around the waist (or even as high as the chest) and reaches to at least the knees on women. The styles and designs of these differ, but they are often worn with western-styled tops including dress shirts and military uniforms. For ceremonial occasions men generally still wear a lava lava or an ie, which is similar, as well as all types of shirts. Women tend to wear puletasi, which is a fitted top and a lava lava on the bottom for these ceremonial events.