Cameroon

Greetings

Men greeting Men – A handshake with the right hand is the most common form of greeting. Handshakes are often combined with a snap on the release for those who are friends.

Women greeting Women - A handshake with the right hand is the most common form of greeting for initial meetings. Handshakes are often combined with a snap on the release for those who are friends. Good friends and family will often each a kiss on each cheek.

Men and Women – A handshake with the right hand is the most common form of greeting for initial meetings. Good friends and family will often each a kiss on each cheek.

Note: Cameroon has over 200 different ethnic groups, so acceptable greetings often depend on region and ethnicity. In tribal settings, it is often rude to touch or look at the chief, so a nod with clasped hands and indirect eye contact is an appropriate form of greeting.

Communication Style

• Most people favor an indirect style of communicating. It is generally not acceptable to say directly what you think, especially if it could be taken the wrong way or be deemed offensive.

Personal Space & Touch

• Personal space differs from place to place based on tribal and religious influences. Generally, an arm’s length or a bit less is appropriate. Personal space tends to be less between members of the same gender, good friends and family.
• Between good friends and family members of the same sex, it is common to touch the hands, legs, and shoulders during conversations. Sometimes men hold hands while talking and talking. This tends to be the same between two women.

Eye Contact

• Direct eye contact tends to be the norm during conversations in most urban environments.
• In rural and tribal settings, it is not common for girls to look boys in the eyes, and it is also rude to look the chief in the eyes.

Gestures

• A common sound is a tack-tack clicking with the tongue meaning, “oh really?”
• Placing both hands on the head is like saying “what a disappointment!”
• When gesturing or beckoning for someone to come, it's best to face your palm downwards and make a scratching motion with the fingers.
• Waving the index finger back and forth usually means no.

• Making one hand into a fist and then slapping it slapping it into with the palm of your other hand means “very much” or “a lot”.

• Sometimes the forefinger and pinky are extended and used to mime Dracula teeth, making fun of someone for having bad teeth.

Views of Time

• A common saying states that the Swiss invented the watch but Africans invented time.
• Being on time is somewhat of a joke in has become completely normal and expected to be late to everything. The boss or chief often arrives late as well.
• If planning a conference or a meeting, one can expect everyone will come an hour late.
• Buses usually have a schedule but it they are rarely followed.

Gender Roles

• Traditionally women are expected to stay at home, care for the children, cook and clean. However, things are now changing with more and more women becoming professors, business people, and ministers in the government.
• Machismo is still prevalent and many men that do not accept women as their equals.

Taboos

• Always ask permission before taking a photograph. Refrain from photographing airports, military establishments, government buildings, or military personnel in uniform.

Law & Order

• The legal drinking age is 18 and the purchase age is 21.
• Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

In the Classroom

• Dress at the university level depends on the region, varying from traditional dress to normal casual western clothes.

• The school year starts in September and ends in either May or June. There is a Christmas, Easter and summer vacation.

• At the university levels, grades follow the French system, which is based on 0-20, with 20 being perfect and nearly impossible to achieve. The pass/fail level is 10.

• Classes are generally taught using a lecture style in which the professor speaks and students take notes. Occasionally students are responsible for presenting in front of the class on assigned subjects.

Other Observations

• Since French and English and both official languages in Cameroon, speaking either or both is beneficial.