I am an American who has lived in Monastir, Tunisia for the past 5 years. I can tell you from personal experience that the people there are all nice and friendly and willing to help out if they can. But like any time you travel to somewhere new, be cautious, just for your own sake. Don't carry large amounts of money, be awear of your surroundings and things like that. I think I actually use those guidelines more when I come home to visit my parents in the US, honestly.
If you tell me where you are staying I could try to get more info to you about that area so you could have as nice of a stay as possible.
My main advice to you is to just keep your eyes and ears open, enjoy the scenery and what your doing, take lots of pictures, have fun, and above all, if it doesn't feel right, don't do it.
2006-06-10 09:19:59
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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if you learn a few phrases in arabic, people will be alot nicer to you.
if you are a woman, it will help to cover your hair. When I and two female friends were there, we didn't cover hair the first days, but after a while, I and the second did it, but not the third. Our "uncoverd" friend got alot more attention than we did. Also don't go around in town with shorts and t-shirts even if you are a man.
When people say "special price! special price for you beutiful lady", the special thing about the price is that it is higher than avrage.
If you want good food, don't go to the places in the tourist areas or where they got menues in 5 different languages. The place in that alley behind your hotell where only lokals eat, will have much cheaper and better food.
Don't talk to salesmenn on the beach unless you are willing to spend alot of money.
The mint tea is really good, they really know how to make good pankakes and a waterpipe is worth trying. It is almost no tobacco in the fruitflavours. I'm an non smoker and I think waterpipes taste like candy in steam form.
If you want to buy a waterpipe, the souvenirshops will rip you off. find a backally shop where they sell them.
In general people are really nice and friendly as long as you dress apropriate and are open and smiling.
Leather and silver is worth buying. cheap and really nice. but if you need new socks, you will be in trouble. We needed some and could almost not find any, and when we did, they were really expensive.
Colouring your hair brown if you are blond, is a good trick to get rid of unwanted attention from men. Wearing a "weddinring" is also a good idea.
If you know some french, it will come handy.
have a nice trip *S*
2006-06-10 14:58:17
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answer #2
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answered by Shaqueline 3
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Do not worry about it. The Tunisians are extremely friendly as long as you buy something from them :)
You will feel like you are in the East end of London, many phrases like 'Cheap as Chips' ' Lovely Jubley' will be thrown your way.
The main way of getting around is by train. If you want extra comfort buy a 1st class ticket, but i had no problem slumming it in 2nd class, seats are comfortable.
You can rent transport, taxi's are cheap (but agree a price up front before you take one, about 1 dinar per mile), you can take Tuk Tuk's around the cities (think James Bond in Octupussy) its like a 3 wheeled motorbike with a carraige behind it.
The coastal cities are all excellent, Sousse/Port El Kahntaoui, Hammamanet, Tunisia is tough, a lot of people, a loft of smog and bad smells.
A trip to Catharge is a must as well as down south to the Salt lakes. Most places offer a 3 day safari around teh country including a trip into the Sahara on a Camel for around 150 euros, which includes all meals and hotel's and bus really worth it....
There are beautiful towns throughout, but its hot so bring a lot of sunblock. if i was going for a week, i would take in Carthage, Market day at Sousse, 1 day at the Gladiator arena and 2 days on the beaches in Port El Kahantoui,
2006-06-12 13:09:38
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answer #3
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answered by ychereuse 1
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Went there a yr ago. Tunisia is pretty Westernised now. They're ok if you have a drink or 2. Don't try and pull any of their women though... they are VERY protective of them! All I can suggest is be polite and if you're not sure just ask. Alot speak English. Their language is tunisian arabic and french. Oooh and unless you want to spend a fortune on tat in their markets just say no to all the sellers!! They are very persistent! hehehe! Have a great hol xx
2006-06-10 14:46:33
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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,american married to a tunisian,friendly people and very hospitable,the only advise to give is carry kleenex w you at all time for when you go to the toilet,they tends not to have that there because they are used to washing themselves to stay clean .
2006-06-11 17:10:06
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answer #5
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answered by dinar222 2
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Abu-Gharibah forever!
2006-06-15 15:45:40
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answer #6
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answered by Romeo 5
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Buy a gun.
2006-06-10 14:43:21
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answer #7
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answered by The Foosaaaah 7
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