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Ingjoh
Sweden
2 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Dec 2005 : 18:51:01
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| I think gambian people accept that we swedish tourists wear only little cloths, because we are there in the sun only one-two or three weeks in our wintertime, and want to have as much sun as possible in the short time, because we feel more fresh and healthy to have a little colour than to bee totally white, and how can we get that quickly daytime in too much clothes |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2005 : 19:58:38
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Dress sense! I was bought up as a white girl in England to dress modestly. Also to dress appropriate for the occasion.
I would wear a bikini at the beach or pool, but NEVER walk around like that!
I wear short skirts and strappy tops in the evening to clubs or parties, but not elsewhere.
The idea is to fit in to the situation you are in without offending anyone and without gaining unwanted attention.
I think this is the same the world over.
When I go to the village in Gambia I cover up. But you are right....not all the local people do! This leaves me a bit confused! |
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Janky
United Kingdom
92 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2006 : 11:26:51
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| I have been to Gambia several times over the last 5 years and all i can say, been married to a gambian is that I have found that they follow their religion when it suits them ( no matter what the subject is ). I have read the Quarran and have my own, even though I am not muslim and yes there are double standards but is this not true about all country's? |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2006 : 12:31:29
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Do you live in Gambia or uk? Or both?
Do you mind me asking how you met and how long you have been together?
You are right..all countries have 'double standards' I suppose. Religious beliefs are hard to live up to...in uk some of the biggest hypocrites I've met were devout c of e....... |
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Janky
United Kingdom
92 Posts |
Posted - 20 Apr 2006 : 16:00:13
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Hi gambiabev,
I met my husband through friends where I live. Everyone pressumes I met him in Gambia but I did not. He lived in London for 5 years before coming to Yorkshire and I met him here. I knew another Gambian before my hubby, and met friends through him, that knew my hubby.We have been married for 5 years and he is the most practical man I have ever known. In the future it would be nice to split our time between UK and Gambia, but we will have to wait and see. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 20 Apr 2006 : 19:02:31
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| Yes I would like to split my time between the two countries too...... Jan, Feb March in Gambia!!! One day perhaps..it is something to dream of and hope for. |
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erikalou
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2007 : 16:23:07
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Hi. I'm new to this forum, but I thought I would throw my 2 cents in. I think i may have a different perspective than some of you. I lived in gambia for over 2 and a half years, first as a peace corps volunteer, later as a wife to a gambian man.
In the peace corps, we are encouraged to dress conservatively and in-line with local traditions. In my village, I always wore gambian-style clothing: fanos and t-shirts in the compound, dresses (completos) at school or ceremonies, plus hair ties (mostly to keep people from messing with my hair!). When I moved to the city, I felt like a country bumpkin. I was the only young woman dressing like that. Most other young women were wearing western-style clothes, some modest, others not so modest.
Yes, young gambian women in the capital have a hard time dressing appropriately. They copy what they see tourists doing and what they see in movies, etc. Their parents also do not control how they dress, because often the parents are back in the village and they are living with relatives who are afraid to control them
Living in the city, I saw many tourists and other foreign visitors and for the most part, I HATE the way they dress! Leave your bikinis and short shorts (that goes for men too) at the hotels! On a sunny day in Europe, would you go out and try to catch a cab wearing a mini skirt and bikini top, or if you're a man, only a pair or shorts (i.e. no shirt)? I doubt it. When you are in the markets and elsewhere away from the hotels, please dress conservatively! Believe it or not, people will treat you better. If you visit a different country, you have to respect their culture. Sure you see young Gambian women wearing skimpy clothing, but do you see mature Gambian women wearing those clothes? I never did. |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2007 : 16:53:11
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Welcome erikalou,
I agree totally,lets face it kids will be kids weather they be American or Gambian! |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2007 : 16:59:45
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welcome, i agree dress properly for the occasion, when i see tourists dress wrongly especially in the rurual areas i always ask why the did that,
a bit of consideration would help, i always think gambia is scared of offending the visitors, but if you mention it often enought people understand. |
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Naraloo
16 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2007 : 23:02:14
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On my first visit to Gambia, I was also surprised to see so many tourist dressed (or undressed) in a way that had no relation not only to cultural modesty but also for the intense heat.
I found it much more practical and comfortable to dress in a traditional way - ok so i was visiting elders etc, but also to avoid sunburn & sunstroke when away from the beach.
Many western women would go topless on the beach, which would not be my choice even in Europe. When I asked them, they do not even realise that Gambia is a Muslim country and were often quite surprised.
Now I have some traditional clothes made up at a tailor (which are also good for naming ceremonies and parties in London). It was great fun and also confuses any bumpsters! |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 08:26:00
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Nakedness is one of the major drawbacks of tourism.Am not a fan of the type of tourism we have in the gambia with all the so called pros.The negative aspect is devastating.Just visit the tourist area and see for yourself decadence instil within the youths of the otherwise decent beautiful gambia.The cost is alarming interms of morals.As far as am concern there should be rules, more rules and if any tourist cannot put up with, they find another destination.Not in the name of economic benefit.It is another failure by the government to regard tourism as the easiest option interms of economics development whilst neglecting Agriculture which should be the bedrock of our economy without inflicting so many harm.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 10:30:41
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slimina, thank you for your posting, i agree some kind of guidance/rules/regulations/law what ever you want to call it should be put in place for tourists, and then there is no misunderstanding.
the cost to morals is high, it gives people a negative view of the visitor. it leads to greed. BUT, on my last trip they were building a childrens playground, roundabout etc, so maybe they are trying to attract more families. just past the SN brussels building. i am not happy that they have built a small casino with slot machines in senegambia area what is that for , the bars and restaurant are needed otherwise visitors stay in the hotel and never leave, that creates a little "Sandals" type environment.
if you visit senegambia, there is an undercurrent there as the highway gets developed, i always feel it is not gambia, but lebanese owners there. last trip saw a few hirings and firings in the hotel interst thast the gambian government should not allow by outsiders, this creates mistrust. Decisions are in the hands of gambian, let them make the decisions. |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2007 : 08:25:48
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Jambo, i was wondering about the slotmachineshall myself - awful, noisy, vulgar: but not many white tourists there, mainly Gambians. I hate this Senegambia area, and it gets worse per year, indeed it is not very Gambian or African, if you wish. But, when it comes to restaurants, there are not many alternatives to tourists who are in a hotel for 2 or 3 weeks on a bed-and-breakfast basis. This really is a great pity, most restaurants have the same menu. Is it the tourists' fault, that this area is becoming more and more vulgar and loud or is it because some (perhaps Lebanese as you say) business people think that this is what will bring money in? I am sure there are many tourists who would prefer a more quiet and 'cultural African' area with small restaurants with a more varied choice of food.
As for the 'nakedness' Salimina speaks of: when you come for a holiday in the sun and you stay on the beach or at the pool, i think it is only logical that you wear bathing suits. After all, it is mainly the sun and the beach that Gambia have to offer to tourists from 'colder' countries. Let's not beat about the bush: if you want overwhelming nature or wildlife, you will visit another African country. I agree that it would be a good idea to remind tourists (if they are too ignorant to think of this themselves) that they should dress modestly when they want to make a trip uncountry. Even walking around Serrekunda market (which i love to do) i would feel uncomfortable in a short skirt and a skimpy top. |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2007 : 08:41:56
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| "It is mainly the sun and the beach that gambia has to offer tourist". Lets not beat about the bush.Anna thats what you think. Currently we have more sex tourist than what you have just mentioned.They just come over to take advantage of the appalling economic situation. |
Edited by salimina |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2007 : 09:08:48
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| Sorry, i was being naive: somehow this never entered my mind when i posted my message. You might be right, alas: an other big attraction. But you will agree with me, Salimina: you can only get something when it is on offer. And it is on offer, let's not beat about the bush again! My, walking around as a white tourist, everybody wants to be 'your friend'. You'd have to harnass yourself! |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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