Good Manners and Dining Etiquette in Senegal

1. A woman should never shake hands with a Muslim man.
2. Begin to say goodbye at least fifteen minutes before you expect to leave.
3. Never ask how many children one has.
4. Never say out loud that anyone is pregnant or is on the verge of dying.
5. Their motto is "Tarranga" so be charitable and hospitable.
6. Never touch anyone's grigri.
7. Never point at anyone.
8. Count on spending at least 45 minutes to negotiate the price of anything you want to buy.
9. Always keep a live plant or livestock in the center of your home compound.
10. Never talk while eating around the bowl.
11. Only eat with your right hand.
12. Only eat the food that is directly in front of you.
13. Do not walk on straw mats. Use them to sit on.
14. Never smell food before eating it.
15. Never say you enjoyed the meal until you are done eating.
16. Do not stare at others while eating.
17. Lick rice off your fingers before washing them in the communal water bowl.
18. Get up as soon as you have finished eating. The last one at the bowl is greedy.
19. Greet everyone when you enter a room, even if you have to disrupt someone.
20. Always ask about the entire family and even ancestors.
21. Never say: "hey" to get someone's attention. Say instead something like: "suma rakk" (my boy) or "suma xarit" (my friend)
22. Avoid saying "no" at all costs. Find another way to express this sentiment.
23. Never say how beautiful or cute someone is. You'll jinx him or her.