Do greet people with your right hand

Don't offer your left hand to receive things

Do not display physical affection in the open

Do take your footwear off before entering a house

Don't smell food before eating it

Don't point at individuals with your finger

Do ask for permission before taking photos

Don't hold food with your left hand

Don't be judgmental about religion

Don't be friendly with people's wives or husbands

Don't drink alcohol in an Islamic compound

Avoid walking alone at night or in isolated places

Be cautious of giving rides to people you don't know

Know very well the person you give your address to

Don't expose large sums of money

Put money in safe pocket or purse

Before making friends with someone, introduce him or her to your host family, colleagues

And finally don't:

handle animals (especially monkeys, canines and, and cats)

swim in fresh water, including the Nile. Salt water is usually safer

crowded public places and public transportation whenever possible

1. Don’t walk alone at night. No matter how safe an area may seem, it gets very, very dark so it’s nicer and safer to have bit of company. (Two Bobs are better than one). 2. When you go out, do let someone know where you’re going. This is very important for overnight trips—make sure your roomie or someone else knows your destination and about when you expect to return. 3. Things to carry on/with you when you go out: • some form of photo I.D. • your insurance card • your emergency contact card • only as much cash as you need for the day • a copy of your passport 4. Don't: • Large amounts of cash, unless you are planning to make a substantial purchase • Your passport (unless you need it for business, such as changing money, OR if you are travelling up-country or out of the country) • Any unnecessary valuables 5. Do keep close guard of your bags, especially when you are in the market. Don’t keep money in a back pocket. Book bags that can be easily unzipped would best be guarded on one shoulder and under you arm rather than on your back where you can’t always see or feel what is going on. One expatriate told me her bag was slashed and contents removed as she roamed unawares through bustling Serekunda. 6. Don’t go out at night or to lonely areas with people you don’t know extremely well. If you are a girl, it is especially unadvisable to go out with a group of guys unless you are very close buddies—even then, safety in familiar numbers. It is best to invite someone to the pool bar or somewhere public during daylight hours, so you can get to know them well before making any private rendezvous in the dark. 7. Don’t tell strangers where you live, though of course there are reasonable exceptions to this rule, as you will make many friends on the street from whom you would appreciate a visit from in the future. Use common sense in this matter. Many people will ask where you live as a way of striking up conversation—if you want to be subtle without lying, you could say you live in New Town and you are staying with friends. 8. Do keep valuables (e.g. plane tickets and passport) as well as larger sums of money in a safe or EXTREMELY well hidden in your room. A suitcase or large bag with a lock might be a good option. Hiding places not to try because they are so often used: in the refrigerator, under the mattress, in the night table. As I mentioned in the hotel section, always lock your windows and two doors before leaving the room. 9. If you plan on making a big purchase or changing a weeks worth of money, it is best to carry your wad of cash in a money belt or neck pouch hidden under your clothes. Keep a few dalasi for small purchases in an easier to reach place, so you won’t flash your cash every time you want to make a purchase. When accessing your money belt, do it as secretly as possible, even if it just means turning your back to the wall. 10. If you are at the beach, don’t bring more than a few dalasi if you plan on splashing about in the water with your gear on the sand. It is best to take shifts in the water, always leaving at least one person behind to guard your towels, shoes, and valuables. 11. If the worst and unlikely happens and a crime is committed against you, you need to report the crime to the resident coordinator, who will provide advice and assistance, and likely will accompany you to the police station. It is imperative you file a crime report with the police. Don’t feel shy about this—even the most macho guys and wisest, money hiding girls can be targets for criminal activities. If you don’t report a crime, you can’t expect anything to happen to the criminal, who is likely to go for another tubaab unless his activities are halted. In addition, insurance companies at home will need the police report number in order to reimburse you.