senegal, africa?

Question

Any cutural things i should be aware of in west africa (senegal)? Things not to do? Things i should do ?

Answer 1

are you going to live there or go as a tourist? where are you from? note the following: we don't like bush very much because the generla perception is that he is fighting islam and senegal is 90-95% muslim country. however, you will be amazed to see the number of churches and cathedrals, because people are very open with each other's faith and even have been intermarrying for generations between muslims and christians. Fridays are religious days, so just wear clothes that are decent (not short skirts or transparent clothes), as you will be probably be walking passed people praying. nobody will do naything negative, but it is just your way of showing respect to their culture and faith. Greet people each time before talking to them, not just the quick "Hi", but a proper greeting, until they reply back to you.. Greetings among senegalese are very important, they can take five minutes of the conversation asking about each other health, well-being, plus the well-being of the family, etc.. So greet people before asking for directions, or asking for a service, it will make it easier for you. they may want to shake hands as it is very common even among people who do not know each other, just shake the hands (and at the end of the day, wash your hands!!!)... do not take pictures of people without asking them, and also, if you are a tourist, they may want to con you into mkaing you pay for the picture taken. be clear with them that you just want a souvenir, you do not want to pay for a picture. establish a contact, senegalese people are very nice and very warm people, extremely welcoming, and they are also used to tourists, as it is one of the strong activity in the country. Do not show that you have money on you, they won't steal it per se, but some have become experts in getting money from foreigners. whatever you want to buy, bargain hard. cut the price in three and do not add more than 1000cfa per "bid".. if the seller refuses to come down, walk away as if you were not interested anymore, he may follow you, but tell him what your last price is and do not listen any longer. it may anyway be more than what fellow senegalese would pay for it. when walkign on the streets, you will find that so many senegalese do not respect your privacy, they will want to interrupt you and talk to you and sell you things, if you are not interested, just say thank you, you are not buying and move on, do not keep talking or looking at them, they will leave you alone at some point... If you are invited in a family for a meal, which they love doing, greet the people you find there, by shaking hands, except for elderly who may not want to shake a woman's hand. wear decent clothing, skirt below the knees, a jean and a top that covers your waist, and that is not too open on the chest, anyway, decent clothing, and greet people with a smile. inviting someone at home for a meal is a common sign of acceptance and of welcoming in Senegal. beware that if they tell you to come for lunch, lunch may be ready long after 2 or 3pm. so take some biscuits or a light sandwiches otherwise you may cry of hunger, while they find it normal to wait for lunch until 2pm... if somebody is praying in the house, do not pass in front of them, but behind them. when you are greeting the head of the family, the father or an old man, do not look at him straight in the eyes for long, it is not polite in senegal to stare at an older person in the eyes, just smile and shake hand if he gives you his hand, otherwise, just keep your hand to yourself and smile, and say the normal greetings. when you are eating, you may be sharing hte same big bowl as everyone, i guess your guest will explain to you how to sit on the floor and eat with everyone else... when you are done, say thank you, say that you like the food. when leaving, say good bye to the people of the house, thank the mother or the person whom you think cooked the meals, try not to leave without saying goodbye to the head of the household, it may be a mother or an aunt or a big sister, and thenka them for inviting you. ..
can't think of anything else... if you need more clarifications, give more details about what you are going to do there, tourism, work, leisure? hope this helps!

Answer 2

i did no longer recognize they have computers with information superhighway get right of entry to in Refugee Camps!!! maximum folk in different factors who're working very difficult and making minimum wages are having subject concerns having a working laptop or pc at domicile, yet wait, there's a refugee camp in Dakar the place people have information superhighway get right of entry to. amazing! seem, in spite of how the economic device feels like, think of two times, why interior the worldwide might you have somebody circulate funds on your account. You supply them your account advice and the subsequent time you examine the account stability that is going to likely be a huge 0, if no longer already on the purple!

Answer 3

Here are some good sites on Senegalese culture:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Senegal/Local_Customs-Senegal-BR-1.html
http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Senegal.html

Answer 4

Never spit on a tribal leader.