Wear pants, don't pee in public and don't herd the cows – the Masai marathon runners' guide to 'miserable' Britain
Last updated at 15:50pm on 2nd April 2008 Six Masai warriors running the London Marathon have been warned that hunting lions will seem easy compared to dealing with the English.
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The men, who are making their first trip to Britain from their remote village in Tanzania, have been given a four-page cultural briefing of dos and don'ts.
They hope to raise money for water supplies back home by completing the 26.2mile course on April 13.
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Be prepared: The Masai warriors have been given a cultural briefing
Volunteers from the British charity Greenforce, which works in their community, penned the guide to make them aware of all the potential pitfalls.
It starts by warning them about the number of people they will encounter and the fact "they all seem to be rushing around everywhere".
The guide - entitled Visiting England: A Cultural Briefing - continues: "Even though some may look like they have a frown on their face, they are very friendly people - many of them just work in offices, jobs they don't enjoy, and so they do not smile as much as they should."
The men are told not to rely on traditional methods of time-keeping during their stay.
It says: "You cannot rely on the sun to tell the time accurately and will have to rely on clocks and watches. The sun will rise and set at different times."
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The London Marathon: compared with the perils of hunting lions
The warriors are told how English manners are very different to the acceptable social behaviour in Tanzania.
The guide says: "Whereas at home for you it is acceptable to spit, in England it is not but, if you have to, you must do so in a sink or in some trees when no one is looking."
When they are out and about, the six are told not seek out a tree or a bush when nature calls but to use the public conveniences.
And the Maasai are warned not to take their hosts' generosity for granted. "If you see something that someone else has, like a bracelet, and you like it, then the person will find it very unusual if you were to take it and wear it."
The tribesmen are also given a rundown on how to deal with criminals. "If someone was to see a thief and chase after him and, when they catch him they hurt him, then the person who hurt the thief would go to prison as well as the thief," it explains
The guide also anticipates that the six might be tempted to herd any sheep or cows they might encounter on sightseeing trips.
It adds: "You may see these animals in a field, seemingly left alone. It is important to remember that these animals are owned by someone and are being looked after."
And on raceday it prepares the men for a shock when they see what the other runners will be wearing.
"You will see many people who are wearing only small clothes and you will wonder why they are cold and may think they are being disrespectful," it says.
"This is normal for England, especially when it is sunny or in the evening. However, it is illegal to show certain parts of the body and for this reason it is important that you wear underpants if you are wearing your blankets."
And after the race, the six are told to get ready for a celebration. "Many people drink alcohol in England. They do so at bars, at homes or at clubs - the English equivalent to a Maasai party.
"When people drink they [seem] sillier or different. I am sure you have seen it with the Greenforce volunteers."
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