Cultural Tips

Crossing legs is a sign of claiming an authoritative position in the room.  Men, especially older men, do this.  Women and children don’t unless they are trying to portray a sense of rebellion and disregard for authority.

 

Sorry lefties, that left hand is taboo, don’t use it for much, especially not to greet another person or give someone something :)  Left-handed Cameroonians only write with their left hand.  Eating, greeting and giving someone something is all done with the right.  When you use your left, it gives the feeling that you don’t respect the person you are with or don’t want to do the thing you are doing.  For example, if you pay a taxi driver with your left hand, it tells him you think he isn’t worth much or you are angry about having to pay him.

 

Camera anyone?  If we go downtown in Yaounde, leave that thing behind!  Cameras are sometimes confiscated by police in the downtown area.  People in Yaounde are a bit more on edge about getting their picture taken, so always ask.  They may request a copy, in which case you can decline.  It would be best NOT to take pictures on our way home from the airport.  Anyone within the missionary residence will be fine, though.  The village is a totally different story, they LOVE getting their picture taken.  Go crazy with that camera. The older generation may not smile, they wouldn’t want to come across as childish

 

Men hold hands with men to show friendship.  Not fingers inter-laced, but grasping a wrist or a hand.  This does not portray in any way that you have an inappropriate relationship with this man, just that you are buddies!  If another man grabs your hand, it shows that he is proud to be your friend, so let him hang on!  You can absolutely pull away, but now he’ll be the uncomfortable one!  Ladies, the same may happen to us with another lady, but it doesn’t make us squirm as much  Opposite sex people do not hold hands in public.

 

Shaking hands is what EVERYONE does when you meet.  When you walk into a room, it is appropriate to shake every person’s hand and greet them with a “Good morning/evening!”. Except with traditional rulers- Dave and Cindy will help you know who fits that category.  Traditional rulers usually carry a carved walking cane and go by titles that Dave and Cindy can explain…it is fascinating.  Let these men decide if they want to shake hands with you.

Being asked for gifts is something that might get our blood boiling (the nerve!).  There, relationships are built on debt.  If someone asks you for a gift, they’ll be there for you in the future.  It is a way of starting a relationship.  This is mostly appropriate if they KNOW you.  In general, if Joe Blow asks you for something, he is just trying to take advantage of you (in this case, ask him for HIS watch/hat/sunglasses and turn the joke back on him).  You may be asked for a gift.  Don’t be offended.  Either someone likes you or they are just playing out the African rule “Asking never hurts” You can ask Dave and Cindy if you are unsure.