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Do and don't in Liberia


#1  2008-11-20 11:17:46

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Posts: 5411

Do and don't in Liberia


Are you living in Liberia? We need you to share your experience of the local customs smile

Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in Liberia?

Could you please share with us a list of the do's and don't's in Liberia?

Thanks!




 
 
 

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#2  2010-01-30 18:54:55

liberianlady
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From: Minneapolis
Registered: 2010-01-30
Posts: 1

Re: Do and don't in Liberia

Do - shake hands with people you meet, and say hello. Liberians are friendly and will not understand if you are conservative or so.  They think you are "proud" that is, you look down on others.

Do - smile (fully) when you meet people. Do not smile with your lips/teeth only. Liberians will generally distruct you, they consider you insincere. Your smile should be sincere or do not smile at all.

Don't think everyone you meet want something from you.  They are poor but sometimes they just want someone to talk to or may just be looking for dialogue with someone other than another Liberian. Don't be afraid to talk to people, you can get some insights from them that is helpful in your line of work.




 

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#3  2010-02-25 13:16:27

CarlGermany
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From: Cork
Registered: 2010-02-22
Posts: 3

Re: Do and don't in Liberia

Do: Stay calm. A white person yelling will not be seen as the same as a Liberian doing it.

Resist begging, if possible. Giving money only encourages more aggressive begging. That includes uniformed people. Try friendly ways out.

Avoid business help. Most people asking for money or supplies to form partnerships will only use up everything, knowing you can't get back at them.

Most people making friends will quickly ask for money. All have trouble anyways. Nearly no-one will feel obliged to give anything back to a white person. Ask them to work for you in exchange, preferably in advance, to weed out the crooks.




 
 
 

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#4  2010-07-20 17:18:30

Mamba Point
New member
From: Ithaca
Registered: 2010-07-20
Posts: 5

Re: Do and don't in Liberia

Never refuse food.  We gave the best always to visitors and are very insulted when it is refused.

If people are eating with their hands, do NOT ask for a spoon.

Always shake hands and snap your fingers (for men).  This is a true Liberian greeting.

Never count money in the street.  divide your money in various pockets and then pull the smallest one out as the occasion demands.

Always bargain and haggle.  Prices are flexible and fluid.

When talking, call people "my friend" even when they are not.

Do NOT buy cooked food from on the street.

Do not visit people on Saturdays.  Sunday is for visiting, Saturday is for working in the home.




 

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#5  2010-07-20 17:29:18

Mamba Point
New member
From: Ithaca
Registered: 2010-07-20
Posts: 5

Re: Do and don't in Liberia

We do not say something is ruined or broken, we say "it is spoiled."

'Dress" means to move aside.

"Ba" means friend.

"Block" as in "Don't block my way"  or do not obstruct my path.

"Cuss" means to insult someone. 

"To know book" is to be educated or literate.




 

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