I couldn’t help overhearing them. Two elderly Frenchmen sat at the next table in a small bar in northern Madagascar—one clearly a long‑term resident, the other visiting. The resident was explaining how things “worked” with local girls. I’d come for a beer, only to find myself listening to their philosophy of life.

Most foreign residents here are older Frenchmen living on modest pensions, which stretch far in a country where everything is cheaper—especially, in their eyes, the company of young women. As girls passed by, the visitor remarked, “If you looked at a girl like that in France, she’d call the police.” His friend replied, “Here you can look, touch, even caress. They don’t mind. And now, with so few tourists, you can negotiate the price.”

He spoke with the enthusiasm of someone enjoying a second youth. Many Malagasy girls have few opportunities; some rely on sex tourism, but most of those seen with older foreigners are not professionals. They may need money for a child, a dress, food for their family, or a relative’s birthday. When a chance appears, they take it. There is a certain nonchalance about it.

The resident nodded toward a young girl sitting with an older cousin whom he obviously knew. “She’s just come from the country. She’s the one to get—she knows nothing.” They invited the girls over. The older one spoke confidently; the younger looked timid, almost frightened, with little French—perhaps part of the appeal for the men.

She won’t run. She’ll learn a few words, learn how to please older foreigners, and with luck find one who treats her well. She’ll try to please him, maybe even tell him she loves him. A baby would be a bonus. It’s a charade, but the masculine desire to feel attractive lasts a long time.

I lived in and travelled across sub‑Saharan Africa for fourteen years. I’m no expert, but I observe. Attitudes to love and sex differ greatly from Western norms, and people at home are often shocked when I describe what I’ve seen. Context softens judgement. These girls are typical Malagasy—fairly honest, often religious, deeply loyal to family.

In many parts of sub‑Saharan Africa, girls begin sexual relationships at puberty and often have a child by their early twenties. A child is more important than a husband. These traditions long predate tourism. Sex is viewed less as a moral issue and more as a natural bodily need, one of life’s essential flavours.

I feel that the conversation was vulgar but what else? Were these men doing something immoral? They were obviously exploiting their position of power bu don’t most people?

They did not hide their opinions, they didn’t feel they were doing anything wrong- maybe they felt they were helping the girls. I sip my beer and ponder on differences in the ways of the world and the moral mazes it can throw up.

I’d like to speak about that in another post.