I have 100% favor for the Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup game, but whenever I try to talk to a villager (who is holding sticks in their hand), nothing I ask can get them to get me trading sticks.

You have to talk to specific villagers:

 

Fanellaman: West of the village, by the boat.

 

Gabooty: Inside the fences. He's the shopkeeper, but trading sticks are the currency - coins are no good to him.

 

Jagbakoba: South of the village, near the 2 fires and the lonely hut. He's the hunter.

 

Kareday: In between the hut of Trufitus and the western one, north of the opening in the fence.

 

Layleen: Follow directions to Sharimika, then continue west across another bridge.

 

Mama Buffeta: Follow directions to Sharimika, then go down the ladder in Sharimika's hut. She also tells you about cooking the spiders.

 

Murcaily: Minigame starting point, east of Trufitus. Guards the gate to the exotic woods area.

 

Rionasta: North of Timfraku's hut. Charges 10 trading sticks to bank items for you.

 

Safta Doc: The most northern hut with the anvil is his house. He can also make fancy machetes, but at ruinous prices (Gabooty sells them cheaper).

I logged out, then logged back in and now they will give them to me (I didn't have the option to say "I've been doing some work around the village" before)

 

 

 

Thanks