Meeting and Visiting Etiquette

Even if they meet several times a day, the Gabonese shake hands and smile. Friends in the city may hug and kiss each other on the cheek. When greeting, women in rural areas may clasp their forearms. In rural areas, older men frequently shake another person's hand with both hands. In small groups, it is customary to greet each person individually. In larger groups, one can greet everyone by raising both hands and saying Bonjour tout le monde ("Hello, everyone"). People of the same gender, particularly men, frequently hold hands while talking or walking. It is inappropriate for members of the opposite sex to hold hands, especially in rural areas.

In urban areas, visiting is common after work or on weekends, and in rural areas, it can happen at any time. The majority of rural socializing occurs on Sundays following morning church services. Even if a guest is not hungry, it is necessary to sample some of the food offered in order to avoid offending others. It is impolite to refuse passing friends an invitation for a drink or a meal in the countryside. Rural women socialize in the kitchen, where they spend the majority of their time. Kitchens are usually separate from the living quarters, and open cooking fires are common. Corps de garde are open-air structures where men work and socialize.