Haitians like to dress nicely, and think that North Americans dress like slobs (although they won't say that to your face). It's true, too. If you come to Haiti, make sure to pack some nice clothes.
I am continually amazed. I am amazed at how Haitians dress in white, and don't get dirty, in the midst of filth. I am amazed at the effort Haitians go to wash laundry, in spite of the effort it takes to find water and manually scrub their clothing spotless, even in tent camps or in the countryside. (I tried to wash my clothing by hand once when the electricity was out for a few days. It's a lot of work. Try it sometime!) Dressing up for work or church on Sundays is undertaken with a great deal of pride and care. On any given day you are sure to see someone publicly having a bath - right on the street or in the river.
This will not be the first thing you'll notice when you come to Haiti. You'll notice the garbage and filth. But don't let this fool you. Haitians do value cleanliness. I guess we all live with our own contradictions, don't we?
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