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Gambians tend to favor an indirect style of communication. It would be rare to find somebody who would directly ask for something without spending some time getting to the point. For example, if someone needs money, they will explain the situation and then tell you they are about to sell their only goat when what they really want is for you to volunteer the amount they need.
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When it comes to joking, Gambians tend to be direct. For example, if somebody is jokingly asking you for something, they will directly say “Give me your bicycle”, but if they are really in need of something, they will be indirect.
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Gambians are non-confrontational for the most part. Confronting someone directly will only deeply offend that person and make the problem even worse. Instead, Gambians find a third party, an intermediary, to help solve the problem.
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Gambians usually react with colorful sighs and gasps in reaction to happy or sad news. They repeat words or phrases a lot.
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Most all conversations begin with greetings. One asks about the family, the work, or a recent event. Then they go and talk about the weather, usually how brutally hot it is. During greetings no one goes into the truth about a certain difficulty one is having; that comes later in the conversation.
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