Cultural Notes 2

Ø  Importance and Length of Greetings

Greetings are highly important in the Senegalese culture. They are said to be the “key” of the relationships. They seem to be long and repetitive but one must take the time to perform them. Short greetings could be interpreted as anti-social behavior.

Ø  Respect

Contrary to the French or in the other local languages, older people, authority or strangers are not referred to in the plural. In French, one might address an older person they do not know as “vous.” In Senegal, only body languages and formal greetings are essential.

Ø  Body Languages

When men are greeting older people, shaking hands with both hands is a true sign of respect. For women, it is courteous. You should avoid being the first, giving your hand when it comes to the opposite sex. For religious reasons, some people would prefer not to. Also, looking someone straight in the eye especially to older people might be interpreted as rude. Some men greet each other by putting the other person’s hands on their forehead, which is a sign of deference for the Mourids, an Islamic Brotherhood.

Ø  Greetings during Prayertimes

Do not either greet someone who is praying or pass in front of him/her. Often, after praying, older people walk around or sit holding prayer beads saying some prayers, they cannot be interrupted. You may greet them by smiling, nodding or clasping your hands together in front of your chest.

Ø  Greetings as security items

When people notice you through adapted ways of greeting in the neighborhood, it is a good thing for integration and security reasons.

Ø  Passivity in the Introduction

Most of the time, people don’t introduce themselves the way you are used to (hi, I’m Paul for example), they might wait for you to ask their name.

Ø  The Concept of Tubaab

The term Tubaab is used quite often in Senegal. It refers to Westerners in general and to any person who has a Western habits or behavior that differs from the Senegalese culture. Senegalese nationals with these aforementioned traits have a tendency to be labeled Tubaab by their own compatriots.

In general, Senegalese people like to point out differences in each other: ethnicity, origin, race, or physical appearance. They even use these differences when referring to each other. However, it is usually done in an amicable way and not to degrade, humiliate or minimize an individual’s race or ethnic origin.