Greetings Etiquette

Traditional greetings and etiquette are very important to Gambians because they serve to either reinforce existing social bonds or to familiarize and create new social ties. Such formalities are influenced by Islam, and much of it can be traced back to the ancient empires of the Mandinka, Wolof, Serahule, and other West African tribes. Always take at least 15 seconds (30 seconds or more for people in authority) to say hello and how the family is doing before getting down to business. Anything less is interpreted as disrespect or as you looking down on them. If you do not heed the preceding advice, your life will be made extremely difficult.

Remember that shaking hands with your right hand is a required form of greeting, unless you are visiting someone who has recently been bereaved, in which case it is the cultural norm not to shake hands with them. Though it may seem obvious, never greet anyone who is praying because they will not respond. Furthermore, do not give anything to people with your left hand, as this is considered an insult because it is the hand used for toileting and other unsanitary actions.

You may believe that such traditional greetings are a waste of valuable time, but the culture is different, and they are the essential key to successful community interaction. It should be noted that women are not expected to shake hands, particularly in rural areas.

Hugging is acceptable between the same and opposite sexes, but they must be related or well-known friends, and it is usually done after a long period of not seeing each other in their daily lives. Kissing on the cheeks is not uncommon between women or between men and women, but they should be related or well acquainted.