Cameroon Local Customs

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	common mistakes made by... Tip Rating:

By le_gamin

on August 24, 2002

common mistakes made by travellers: complain about the slightest problem, lack of patience, looking down at local people thinking they are less educated and miserable.

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	people don't like to be taken... Tip Rating:

By nessie-ch

on August 24, 2002

by nessie-ch
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people don't like to be taken by photographs, so be careful. When you want to take pictures, it's when they are dressed up for a special occasion. A polaroid camera would be helpful, you could make a picture to offer :-)

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	Handing over money.

By Wafro

on February 27, 2008

Never hand money with your left hand, only if you want to wish somebody bad luck.

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	Greeting people and shaking hands

on November 25, 2007

A few tips:

--When shaking hands with an older or important person you can grip your forearm wit your free hand to show respect.

--If you go to shake someones hand and they offer you their wrist take it. This is normally the case when someone has dirty hands and they do not want to dirty your hands.

--Men hold hands - this is a completely acceptable and normal part of Cameroonian life. If a male friend holds your hold it is a sign of friendship.

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	Odours in the forest

By Wafro

on February 29, 2008

by Wafro
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During my last trip in Cameroon I was confronted with something we unlearned during the centuries. OUR SMELL, we can recognise strong and specific odours, but when my Baka (pygmy) guide stopped and told me we were approaching gorillas I thought he was joking. No way! He was right, they can smell animals. He proofed it several times during the expedition, gorillas, buffalos, antelopes, I was speechless. There are no better animal trackers than Bakas.

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	Showing respect

By IngaRita

on September 16, 2006

Especially if you are in a village, talk to people. Make pleasant conversation. And shake hands with your right hand, if you want to show respect hold your right wrist with your left hand while you are shaking. If your hands are dirty offer your wrist instead. Someone may offer you their wrist instead of a hand, shake their wrist instead. Give money with your right hand only.

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	ATMs Proliferating

By Over60

on July 12, 2007

Most guide books indicate that ATMs are available in Cameroon only in Yaounde and Douala, but I found ATMs that took my US Visa card at the BICEC banks in both Buea and Bamenda. Contrary to my experiences in other developing countries, these machines always worked reliably. Using them is vastly easier than toting thousands of dollars in hard (and expensive)-to-cash traveller's checks and less risky than carrying a lot of cash, but the situation has not yet progressed to the point where one can be confident of finding an ATM on every corner.

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	Meeting Pa!

Updated By lovin_it

on August 12, 2006

by lovin_it
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Pa is the greeting given to any 'older' man (over about 50) - out of respect. Things considered rude when in the presence of an older man, official, tribal elder or Fon (Chief) are: wearing a peaked hat and strangely, crossing your legs!

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	Announce yourself

By lovin_it

on June 13, 2006