Hello everyone,
Old clichés die hard, as the saying goes... and living in Liberia can generate lots of misconceptions in the eyes of the people.
What are the most common misconceptions about the expat lifestyle in Liberia?
What are the most common clichés about life in Liberia in general?
Did you have a biased view of the country before moving there? What is you view now?
Thanks in advance,
Priscilla
Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Liberia
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That just because Liberians do not look people in the eye when they are speaking, that it means they are lying. tradition and courtesy dictates that we do not look people in the eye if they are older or are higher (in jobs, ) than we are. Looking people in the eye directly is considered rude.
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Thanks for that tidbit, re: the general Liberian mentality. Possessing a penchant for not looking people "in-the-eye", when speaking directly to them, is not considered to be either an acceptable, or an "attractive" characteristic trait, among the vast majority of cultures, on this planet called Earth.
Apparently, the Liberians (among others) are in serious need of a 21st. Century revision/upgrade to their cultural values, eh? 
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Changed my mind.
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No, it is called respect! There are many cultures around the world that follow this. So there is such thing as being different yet equal. Respect other differences.
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That many cultures around sub-Sahara Africa follow that "peculiar" notion of showing respect , would be a more accurate statement.
Perhaps that's the reason why West Africans (men in particular) seem to have so many social problems, assimilating their "mentalities" with the universally accepted "Rules of Civil Behavior" protocols, of the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East & Oceania (Papua New Guinea, and Fiji withstanding).
We've been there, seen it (once was enough) and we've got the 
Liberia goodbye T-shirts to prove it.
If you're happy with the way things are, in Liberia, then we're happy for you, there.
Sincerely, and best regards. 
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