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Country Profile: Sierra Leone


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Cultural Etiquette


Cultural Dos and Taboos

1. Shaking hands is the acceptable form of greeting.

2. Greetings should always include some interest in your acquaintance's family and health.

3. In traditional families men and women will not eat together. Food is often served from a common bowl. If no eating utensils are served with the meal eat with your fingers but make sure the tips of your fingers do not touch your mouth. There may well be little or no conversation during the meal.

4. The left hand rules apply here. Do not take or give anything with the left hand. Do not eat with the left hand.

5. Avoid speaking about the country's political problems; stick to discussions of culture, travel, sports, sightseeing and other less controversial subjects.