How Tunisian men treat women. Tunisia, an Arab country by European standards. more than a million - working people and small children

With the onset of the summer season, most people begin to look for the best place to relax. The world's best resorts and exotic countries are especially popular. One of the best places to stay is Tunisia, where there is everything for both active and relaxing holidays. This is interesting to know for everyone: is it worth it for Russian tourists to go on vacation to Tunisia?

Why should Russians go to Tunisia?

Clear sea, white sand beaches, untouched nature and excellent climatic conditions. This is an ideal place for families with children.
Affordable prices make Tunisia popular among tourists from all over the world. In addition to a beach holiday, you can take a course of medical therapy. Tunisia is famous for its healing procedures that restore strength and energy.
Incredible excursions across the Sahara attract more and more outdoor enthusiasts. In addition, each tour is carefully crafted to meet the needs of every tourist. Here everyone can find something interesting for themselves. For example, you can visit the Roman amphitheater, olive groves, troglodyte caves and much more. You can go on a trip on camels or quad bikes.
Developed infrastructure aimed at meeting the needs of every tourist. Everyone will be able to find for themselves both a comfortable hotel and a budget housing option. Also in Tunisia there are many entertainments for both adults and children. In other words, this is a paradise on earth, where everyone can find an unforgettable vacation for themselves.
Affordable prices and excellent service make Tunisia one of the most popular destinations among tourists from all over the world, including among Russian citizens.
In addition, most tour operators offer last-minute tours every year, allowing everyone to relax and at the same time get an unforgettable vacation.

Why shouldn't Russians go to Tunisia?

Compared to Egypt, Tunisia has a low level of service. It's like who's lucky. You can get an unforgettable vacation if you choose the right tourist destination, or you can be disappointed in this country. Tunisia can be divided into tourist and local residents. Areas aimed at accepting a wealthy tourist are characterized by an excellent level of service. If you choose a cheap vacation, you can meet the lack of service. It all depends on the tour operator. It is recommended to trust only leading companies with many years of experience and an impeccable reputation. This will guarantee a quality and comfortable stay.
Ambiguous attitude towards Russians. There is an opinion that Russians in Tunisia are not loved, but all because of their greed. Compared to European tourists, Russians leave less tips, and the service staff really dislikes this. Of course, not all of Tunisia is the same and you can find people who are kind to Russians. In most cases, it all depends on the tourists themselves and their attitude towards the locals.
Men in Tunisia are characterized by increased attention to women, especially from other countries. Therefore, it is not recommended for young women to travel unaccompanied to Tunisia. At the same time, you should not worry too much about this, because Tunisian men are strongly religious and adhere to their laws. From them you can only expect a large number of compliments and admiration for a woman.

What do tourists say?

Jenny

Tunisians are very specific, I had to work with them, I can say that they don’t treat Russians specifically badly, they simply divide all people into Tunisians, that is, first-class people, and everyone else, like “third-class”. On the other hand, if we turn to statistics, tourists do not disappear there, they do not get into accidents, they return alive and healthy.

Igor Boldyrev

Russians in Turkey have nothing to fear. The attitude towards our compatriots is even, cordial, and the sellers have not yet forgotten the language.

Tunisians are very friendly to their guests. They treated the first Russian tourists in the same way as the rest. But I will tell you this: now Russian tourists are not liked anywhere. This is the stereotype created by Russian citizens. More and more foreigners do not go where Russians rest, they are even ready to pay extra for it. Lack of culture, drunkenness, boorish behavior, and I don’t even talk about buffets - only Russians take out food.

Tunisians are friendly and welcoming people. I was alone in Hammamet at the Sentido Aziz Hotel. The hotel rested the French, British, Germans. I was alone among the Russian speakers at that time. Treat everyone equally. Outside the hotel it is quite safe at any time. Attitude in hotels in Egypt and in hotels in Tunisia is heaven and earth. True, they speak little Russian (almost nothing), but a minimum of knowledge of English, and preferably French, plus international sign language make communication accessible and enjoyable. I really liked Tunisia and Tunisians. I would like to return there.

Natalia

Russian people there are tourists, and tourists bring money with them. And therefore, there can be no negative attitude towards them, do not be afraid. Especially in tourist areas, everyone is very polite to Russians. Moreover, many graduates of Russian universities work there, so there will be no problems with the language.

nata_popova

External affection for Russian ladies, however, does not prevent the Tunisians, to put it mildly, from openly disliking our people in principle.

Tatyana

In Tunisia, Russian tourists are treated friendly. I was in Tunisia two years ago - they just periodically broke out unrest, and there were armored vehicles in the central squares of the capital. But life went on as usual. If I asked something from the locals, they always stopped and answered. There was a small problem with the language - French is more familiar to them than English, but oriental hospitality does its job and everyone tried to help. I was very surprised by the merchants in souvenir shops, who, unlike the Egyptians, are more restrained and civilized.

Irina

Ordinary Turks think differently. Some, thanks to propaganda, began to see Russia as the source of their troubles.

Elena

I want to add my review about the rest in Tunisia. Twice rested in this country in the resort area of Sousse. We were met very kindly. The administrator spoke quite tolerably in Russian. True, there were few Russians in the hotel. The Tunisians were pleasantly surprised to be greeted in French and Arabic (not hard to learn). The entire staff is very reserved. If you do not forget to thank the dinar (Tunisian currency) - you are always welcome by the staff. Tipping is given in hand. Special attention is paid to women without men. But no one will show rudeness and arrogance. This year I will go to Tunisia again. I do not feel any barrier in this country, especially knowing a little French. Be polite and considerate! Tunisia will meet you with gentle sea and generous sun!

Tunisia is called the only country in the Arab world where women have gained equality along with men. However, the country one way or another remains Muslim - 95% of the population professes Islam. This cannot but leave an imprint on the culture and life of women. According to statistics, there are more men in the country than women - about 6 million against 4 million. Maybe that's why they try not to offend the weak half of humanity.

Childhood

An Arab family is a small state: several generations live together in a spacious bright house at once. And only strict observance of family commandments makes the relationship of such different people harmonious. Children frolic in the yard in a crowd, the older generation lives its own life and only quietly discusses the behavior of young people. There is a cat in the house, which usually walks by itself, and a dog, which guards the house.
During this period, the Tunisian girl does not feel any infringement of her rights, she runs around the house and fights with her brothers. Only a family example, where the father is strict with the mother, can prompt the child to think about legal differences.

School

Education in Tunisia is free. The school has been in school for nine years. From the first grades, children learn two languages at once: Arabic and French. The Tunisian dialect of Arabic is very specific, but that is what is used in writing. Girls and boys study together - no discrimination. The strictness of the Arab mentality excludes any "school licentiousness". All children and adolescents are taken home immediately after the end of the lessons. Some ninth-graders complain: “We have a dream to go abroad to study, because here we have too tight control. We can’t go out after school, much less go to a disco or visit.” In schools, you rarely see girls in hijabs, but everyone dresses quite modestly.
The next stage of education is college, where students receive initial career guidance. An additional language is added - English. College graduates can continue their education in higher education institutions in Tunisia.

student body

But education at the university is usually paid. Prices are about the same as in Russia. Not everyone can afford it: in small villages, girls are forced to help their parents feed their younger brothers and sisters. In this case, they sell fruits on the highway or go to work in resort cities. True, the second option does not always end well: the girls quickly find an easier way to get money and agree to a "paid relationship" with tourists. This way of earning is relevant even for a Muslim country.
If the family is more prosperous, then the sisters stay together and study at different universities. It is curious that even in Tunisia there is a series similar to our "Univer": the characters also go to the canteen and gossip in the hostel. Sisters in the family watch such series, live together, buy European-style clothes and exchange outfits with pleasure. In a Tunisian house, only women are usually heard - they are extremely talkative and restless, gossip about everything in a row. They discuss young guys, but before marriage they rarely enter into any relationship. To discredit the honor of the family is the most terrible offense that a girl can commit.

Career

Tunisian women say: "Life in Tunisia is now too expensive, so we prefer to help our husbands." And they help. First, a woman is responsible for the atmosphere at home: she cleans, cooks and raises children. Secondly, more and more modern Tunisians prefer to work.
Tunisia is an urbanized country (60% of the inhabitants are city dwellers), the city provides more jobs and favors employment, and in almost all areas. Tunisian women sit in parliament (4% of those elected), work in public administration (28%), in education (39-45%), in medicine (33%), they can even be traffic controllers. When was the last time you saw a traffic controller on Russian streets? Maybe never.
The Tunisians themselves argue that even in the media in recent years, a new image of a modern woman has been formed - self-confident, able to earn money and make decisions independently. And of course, a good housewife and a loving wife, ready to obey her husband.

Family

Half a century ago, in 1957, polygamy was officially banned in Tunisia. There were no protesters. Part of the reason is the high cost of a traditional Tunisian wedding. By the significant date, the groom is obliged to provide the bride with literally everything, from a set of gold jewelry to new housing. In addition, a person convicted of polygamy must be imprisoned for one year, as well as a fine of 240 dinars.
So it turns out that Tunisians get married already "completed", at the age of 35-40, and prefer young girls - from 18 to 25 years old. At the same time, the couple necessarily concludes a marriage contract (without it, the municipality will not issue a marriage certificate). The groom goes to sign a document to a notary, and the bride does it at home.
Family for a Tunisian woman is of great importance. She always tries to cook delicious food, dress up the children beautifully and send them to school on time.
The man in the family is a contemplative and judge. If something goes wrong, the father will have a serious conversation with his sons, one day he will punish him (maybe even leave him without cash). The wife is obedient to her husband in everything, does not argue and tries to avoid sharp corners. If she has an account on social networks, the husband always knows the password and can check the messages - like the main breadwinner in the house, on whose earnings both the family's reputation in society and the number of jewelry on the woman's neck depend.
However, recently many Tunisian men (especially from tourist cities) prefer to marry white foreign women. Marriage with a foreigner can be profitable: there are no such strict customs regarding relationships before marriage, and the ceremony itself is cheaper.

Pension

When retiring, a Tunisian woman still clings to her man. She puts the family hearth at the center of her universe, takes care of her grandchildren, but does not bother the younger generation with advice. At this time, the Tunisian woman has new worries: meeting with friends, going to the market and attending weddings of children of acquaintances and friends. Usually a Tunisian grandmother does not feel lonely, even if her husband has already managed to depart for another world. Unless she becomes more religious and national clothes of pastel and dark colors begin to predominate in her wardrobe. She continues to live in a big house with her many children and grandchildren, and here there are more than enough worries. In Tunisia, it is not customary to send pensioners to a nursing home. There is enough space for everyone in an Arab house.

October 31, 2012 3:42 pm Sousse, Kairouan - Tunisia October 2012

So, readers. I must say right away that it was the first time abroad, so there is nothing to compare with. In addition to the harsh reality of Ukrainian everyday life. Let's start.

We rested on October 18-28, the end of the season (from November to March they have a rainy period, the temperature drops to 15-17 degrees, it's cold to swim). Hotel Tour Khalef Hotel Thalasso & Spa in Sousse, 4 stars, 2 km from the center (chosen specifically so as not to be noisy and in the first line - one hundred percent guessed). In fact, a whole complex of 3 hotels, with a good territory, a swimming pool, a beach, animation and a spa center (we didn’t personally go to the latter, but the reviews and video broadcasts are impressive, naturally for a fee).

10 nights with half board (breakfast and dinner), flight and transfer to / from the airport 770 USD. The ticket is not last minute, not early booking, not discounts. In fact, there are 9 floors in our building, but according to the French system, the 1st floor is the reception and dining room, the 2nd is zero, and the actual 3rd is called the first. These are the French, they rode the elevator once, then figured it out, and the signs on each floor “You are here” help.

I am very satisfied with the hotel and the room, everything is beautiful, comfortable, thoughtful. Towels are changed every day, the view from the window is gorgeous, the sliding door system to the balcony, soundproofing, the bed is very comfortable, cleanliness. The staff is smiling, friendly, but not intrusive. Almost everyone understands Russian, they communicated without any problems at all (other tourists had a hard time with Russian-speaking staff in a nearby hotel). Very good children's animation, the little ones just squealed with delight. I can’t say much for an adult, we went to the city almost every evening, we didn’t sit in the hotel. But I heard live singing (rather professionally), saxophone, disco from midnight to 3, water aerobics when there were no waves, darts, table tennis, volleyball. I didn't see bored faces.

We arrived in the evening, the next day we met with our guide, Natalia. She gave everyone a plan of the city and possible available excursions, told what, where and how, answered all questions. Very convenient, and then you could find her at the hotel, even gave her phone number. The map came in handy, I could not find a normal plan on the Internet.

We bought 2 excursions, and the 3rd agency gave us a gift (boat trip). Now I will dwell in detail on the local color, and later I will return in detail to the excursions.

The currency is the Tunisian dinar, it has 1000 millimeters (not 100 kopecks, as in rubles and hryvnias, namely 1000). In fact, the most popular coin, often very worn, that even the image is not visible. Large, silvery, heavy. In a fixed price shop, we were given change in copper, most often 100 mimm (a round bronze coin about the size of a dinar). They even came across 50 and 20 millimeters, but they can only be paid in such stores. In souvenir shops or in the market there is nothing less than a dinar, and copper is not left for tea, it is considered humiliating. Therefore, if you decide to thank someone, 1 dinar is just right (their tip is called bakshish). I didn’t see coins of 1, 2, 5 millimeters at all, what can I buy with them, all the more I can’t imagine. There is also a ½ dinar coin (yes, it says so on it), that is, 500 millimeters. It is silvery, like a dinar, only smaller in diameter and lighter.

Further, 5 dinars - silver with a gold rim (do not hope, there is no precious metal in it). Larger and heavier than the dinar. Everything with coins. Then banknotes of 5, 10, 20 and 50 dinars. There is no bigger. Papers can be of different colors and with different designs (issued in different years), so if you have 2 banknotes of 10 dinars of different colors, this is normal, do not worry. Money can be exchanged upon arrival at the airport, at banks in the city or at the hotel itself. In banks, the rate is 10% more profitable, but the hotel has a more convenient work schedule (banks work until lunch, then a big break, 2-3 hours, then they work again for 2 hours). Decide for yourself. During my stay, the exchange rate was 1 dollar = 1.543 dinars. IMPORTANT, when exchanging, you are given a receipt, you do not need to lose it. If you still have dinars after your vacation, you can change back to dollars / euros only at the airport and only if you have a receipt for the initial exchange. And one more limitation: no more than 30%. That is, if you exchanged 1000 dollars upon arrival, you can exchange dinars for an amount not exceeding 300 dollars when you depart.

Crime

The hotel administration is not responsible for the safety of things in the room. It is unlikely that someone will covet your clothes or passport, but it is better not to leave money and equipment unattended. I have no complaints about the staff. I didn't notice anyone rummaging through my things or anything like that. But there was talk on the beach that in one room they stole money stuffed into the inside pocket of a bag. Again, it's up to you. Immediately upon arrival at the hotel, we rented a safe deposit box (1 day = 1 dinar), put our passports, air tickets and money in there, and did not part with the key. When you remove the safe, a deposit is left (we had 30 dinars), when you return the key, they return it to you. We looked into the safe 5 times (the money was not changed all at once, but as needed), everything is in perfect order. For 10 days, 5 dinars (the cell was rented together) - quite inexpensively, and the nerves are in order.

I don’t know of any cases where a tourist’s wallet was pulled out or a handbag was torn off his shoulder. I was relaxing with a friend, we walked around the city at night together, no one attacked. They tried to get acquainted or give something (pendant, beads, scarf, map) - like “It’s free, free, a gift.” Of course, this is a hoax. As soon as you take a thing, a divorce immediately begins with a request for gratitude (1, 2 ... dinar, depending on the impudence of the seller and your experience). If you have strong nerves, lack of thrills (they won’t beat you, but most likely you will have to quarrel) or nostalgia for your homeland, please put the flag in your hands. We just said "no" and walked on stone-faced. They fall behind very quickly.

As for dating. Arab men are very, I emphasize very fond of fair-skinned, light-eyed, fair-haired women. Especially with curvaceous forms. As our guide said, it's genetic. So if you do not have a model figure, rejoice, you can feel like a goddess.

My friend is tall, slim, long-legged. She is always noticed. In this country, everything was exactly the opposite. Against my background (I'm 165 cm tall, very fair skin, green-eyed and red, weight ... let's say obviously not a inch) Natasha was simply not noticed. Big surprise for both. By the end of the vacation, she even tried to sell me, for 49 camels, but this is clearly a different story.

If you are a skinny brunette, do not worry, attention is still guaranteed. By the end of the vacation, we are so used to the fact that any of our appearances is accompanied by compliments that when we arrived at home, we were even upset. It's normal for Tunisia when unfamiliar girls walk down the street, and local men (and from 13 and older) say "sexy, beautiful, nice", almost everyone tries to get to know each other. And if you are with a companion, the latter is clearly not an obstacle. They simply ignore him and still try to get acquainted. So prepare your boyfriend / husband in advance so that there are no scandals.

To meet or not. Your right. My friend and I are big fans of chatting, but this is problematic with the locals, due to their one-pointedness. With their women, they are far from being so cheeky, and although the laws here are very liberal, it is still an Arab, Muslim country. Visiting women are an outlet for them, an opportunity to diversify or even start some kind of personal life. He will speak with 20, at least one will respond, and maybe you will be lucky. Moreover, it's a shame, but we are often not talking about beautiful courtship. We were once invited to a cafe for coffee. In all other attempts, the man was not going to treat us at all or conduct an entertaining conversation. Everything is limited: "you are so beautiful", "such magical eyes" ... "let's go to you." Therefore, we listened to the first part, and then left.

I'm not saying that Tunisians are preoccupied, not at all. We spent the best evening of our entire vacation with a local, Rozhdi, our guide to the Sahara. Either due to his work, or knowledge of the Russian language, or age (35 years old), but the conversation turned out to be very entertaining. He talked about his country, customs, culture. And it was incredibly interesting. It's a pity that there was only one such evening.

Returning to the topic of dating, I emphasize once again - your right. I’ll just add that there are gigolos in the country, and professional ones. Men in Tunisia are beautiful: swarthy, black eyes, large, shiny, long eyelashes. There is a lot to lose your head. Throw in low wages, high unemployment and an abundance of tourists. Here he is - ready gigolo. Most often, for an exciting evening in his company, you will pay the bill from the bar, but there are also pros who manage to make a woman sell her apartment, car and all her property and fly to him on the wings of love. Love ends when he gets the money. So, soberly evaluate what you need.

By the way, for 10 days of vacation, not a single Arab did not dissolve his hands. Seriously. They just walk and itch, but no one tries to touch or grab you. This is a big plus. For Turkey and Egypt, they told me worse things.

Roads and transport

Roads everywhere from the category you never dreamed of. I mean, very good. Even in the desert, in crazy heat, the roads are better than on my street. It's a shame for ours, but a fact. In cities, there are practically no traffic lights and intersections. Instead of the latter - a circular movement around the ring. Pedestrian markings are very common, but drivers do not let pedestrians through. And not just tourists, everyone. If you want to go, your problem. Locals just walk down the street until the car stops a meter away from him. I don’t like this extreme, so I had to wait for “holes” in the stream. By the way, I didn't see any accidents. Often the police stand on the ring, and with unsheathed weapons. And not just a pistol, but a machine gun. Why, I didn’t understand, I didn’t see conflicts on the road, so that weapons were used all the more. Remains a mystery.

A lot of young people on scooters. These are generally insane. They can ride on the rear wheel, without arms, without legs. And this is in the general flow of cars. We just tried to stay away. Drivers often honk. Really often. And not to prevent an accident. In most cases, the purpose of the signal generally remained a mystery.

Car rental on every corner. Such cars are marked with blue numbers. More taxis. From our hotel to the Medina (center, 2 km) 3 dinars, to the port of El Kantaoui 5 during the day, 8 at night, to Monastir (km 20) 12 dinars. Estimated prices gave a guide, everything matched. Drivers immediately say the price is higher (and much higher), but you name yours and agree. Their competition is tough. Once there was an unpleasant incident, we were returning from Monastir by taxi. The driver is French. We speak English. It seems to have agreed to 12 dinars. We arrived, began to demand 20. We had a fight, I called the word "Polis" and he took 12 dinars. With psychos, but nonetheless. You can ask the counter to be turned on, but local craftsmen wind it up well. It is much more profitable to find out the price from a guide, passers-by, and bargain before getting into the car. Pay preferably by settlement, if there should be change, get it in the car. Once you exit, you are no longer a customer.

There are also local minibuses and trains. The first ones were seen quite often, but, as they said, the schedule is known to one driver. The train is much cheaper and faster, especially in relation to tourist buses, but we did not risk it - there are only locals in it.

Tours

Excursions, that from the agency, for an additional fee, the price for them does not change throughout the year (season). Each new season, tours rise in price by 5 percent. The cost for different tour operators is approximately the same, in the picture at first they are painted in detail.

On our own, we were in Sousse in Medina, Ribat, in Monastir in Ribat, the port of El Kantaoui. The latter has a light and musical fountain, a zoo, yacht parking and an amusement park. It is very good to visit there at night, the illumination is amazing. Entrance to the fortress, zoo and rides is paid.

Even in Sousse there is a restaurant "La Surfin". There is only one option for dinner. The complex is called, costs 30 dinars per person and includes 11 fish dishes + ice cream dessert and fruit. We ate for 3 hours, at the end I even gave up, and did not finish it. Everything is very tasty and colorful. We tried shrimp, oysters, fish, mussels, squid, cactus fruit. You should definitely go, only on an empty stomach. Works from 18:00.

Boat trip.

Ships decorated as a pirate schooner, access to the open sea, swimming, fakir show, lunch. They sunbathed well. Don't know what, but you can visit. I especially liked swimming at a depth near the ship.

Udna - Sidi bou Said.

Udna is a suburb of Tunisia (which is the capital), the Colosseum and the Temple were dug up there, there are ruins of baths, houses, thermal baths, mosaics (copies). For those who love antiquity.

Sidi Bou Said is a white and blue town on the seashore, also in the suburbs of Tunisia. The houses here are always white, and the shutters and doors are blue and blue. Very picturesque and the feeling that you are no longer in Africa. The city is residential, for very, very wealthy and tourists. You can drink green mint tea with pine nuts. It's definitely worth staying.

Two days of travel is definitely tiring. In total, we wound 1200 km, got up at 4 in the morning, but it was worth it. On the first day we were in El Jem, watching the Colosseum. Very well preserved, just huge.

There were many coffee breaks, we tried oriental sweets. We visited the indigenous population - the Berbers. They are also called troglodytes, as they dig their houses in the ground. You need a room - they dug it, a closet - take a shovel and dig. At the same time, they have electricity, TV, refrigerator, passports, streets, city hall, hospital, school, post office. Amazing.

Then we came to the town near Duza, it was possible to ride camels and quad bikes (for a fee of 20 and 20 dinars). Dinner at the hotel. Unremarkable, which I would not give more than 2 stars, but there is a pool with warm thermal hydrogen sulfide water. The only way to get rid of fatigue. The rest of the hotel is terrible.

Early morning, breakfast and at 5 am we leave to meet the dawn in the desert.

Only Muslims can enter the mosque, the rest are content with the courtyard. Since we arrived on the eve of a big holiday, we did not see it either. But no one was particularly upset. Near the mosque there is a shop with cheap souvenirs, carpets and access to the roof with a panoramic view.

Everything, the day is over, we are taken to the hotels.

I didn’t specifically describe in detail all the impressions and delights from the excursions, it’s still better to see it for yourself once, but believe me, it’s worth visiting.

Now, what is not included in the above categories.

Trash. There are many in Tunisia. There are no permanent vacancies for janitors, they clean for hire 1-2 times a month, plus the low culture of the population in this regard (“urns are for tourists”). The hotel, restaurant or coliseum will be clean, but the roads, the fields, the streets will most likely surprise you unpleasantly. The Tunisians themselves believe that this is temporary, as now the government has more pressing problems.

cacti. They grow instead of a fence, they can be taller than human growth. No one in their right mind would go for them. They are not just prickly, but shoot with thorns, just come up. And so small that you can’t see and you can’t pull it out. Better not get involved.

The sun. Very hot. Even though it was October. You can easily burn out. So take care of yourself.

Warm sea. At first there were waves (even funny, jumping like in childhood), then - silence and smoothness, Natasha swam with a mask. The bottom is sandy, but the hotels themselves make artificial reefs, so there is something to see. It got colder on the last day.

Sunbeds on the beach are free, they rely on mattresses to make it comfortable. You can also take a table for yourself (put drinks, play cards).

Throughout the country, the tradition of giving thanks (leaving a tip). It is a tradition, not a duty, but still. And not only in the hotel. He brought you a local lounger - give me a dinar, the bus driver took you to the airport - a dinar, the guide amused me, the same thing. So decide for yourself.

The info sheet we were given indicated an additional fee for camel riding. I, naive, thought that was it. In fact, there were 3 additional excursions: an oasis, camels and ATVs. Moreover, I was sure that if a person does not want to go on additional possible excursions, then he still has the main one. An-no. Those who didn't go to the extras just sit and wait. Nobody takes them anywhere, nobody tells them anything. For example, while riding camels, we had to wait in a rundown cafe, where there are only 4 tables. And wait for 2 hours. During the heat. This is an embarrassing moment.

On excursions, when you are not in the main hotel, the food is not very good. For me, this is not a decisive factor, but be prepared. In general, I really do not advise choosing a hotel below 4 stars.

Pleasant moment. Toilets. Everywhere. Decent and even more. There is always water, soap, paper, it's always clean and it's not scary to go in. Even in the desert. I don't have that in my city. Very positive.

Summing up, I will say that the country is very interesting and quite worthy to spend a vacation in it. I declare without a shadow of a doubt that I want to return to Tunisia more than once.

Africa in French, Tunisia - these are white-sand beaches, the ruins of the great Carthage and healing thalassotherapy, just a 4-hour flight from Moscow. The capital of the same name accepts around the clock. More precisely accepted. Following Egypt and Turkey, or somewhere in between, Tunisia has become an undesirable holiday destination for Russian tourists.

Increasing terrorist attacks and a tense situation discipline any sensible traveler. But the article is not about how everything is bad or good. I will not remember what it was like before the situation in the world began to heat up, and why the routes of Russian travelers from exotic turn into tarnished and tired Sochi and Crimea.

Nothing personal - I love Russia with all my heart (avid travelers will probably understand me to the bone marrow), but somehow it’s not very right to move around the planet in search of new sensations, relaxation, beautiful landscapes ... in obsessive and clearly dictated directions.

The world of the traveler, the Russian tourist, has faded a bit. From freedom of movement, choice, speech, democracy, tolerance to a ban on the widest choice of countries potentially suitable for recreation. Today, you are no longer completely free to decide where to fly. Everything is dictated for you, and from all this truncated list of cheap habitual rest, you, as it were, choose your own route to the Mineralnye Vody and Sochi.

Loving your country is good and right, but what about those who have already seen enough of Sochi, had their fill of the sources of the Mineralnye Vody, breathed in the Altai fresh air ...

And again it carries me - I want to write an article about the oddities of the Tunisians that will surprise any Russian traveler, but no - it’s pulling to speculate - to speak out ... Surely, the reader will be surprised - they say what do we care about Tunisian troubles, write more about Russia and the intricacies of local tourism . The answer is: curiosity has not yet been canceled, and perhaps someday my experience will be useful to you)

So - Tunisian oddities - the revelations of a Russian traveler, I share my experience. “What is good for a Tunisian, a Russian cannot understand.”

8 ODDITIES OF TUNISIANS

1 | They slurp and eat with their hands

Tunisians have no problems with appetite, while at the table they like to slurp savoryly and often forget to use appliances. Although no - they just don't need a fork. It is much nicer to use a slice of bread that you can dip into soup or pick up some salad with it. All the hottest sauces are also eaten with bread. In a restaurant, the meal begins with the waiter placing a baguette basket and a plate of harissa and mishuia pepper salad (composed of egg, pepper and butter) on the table. Ten minutes later they bring a hot dish and drinks. Tunisians do not hesitate to drink cola or sitronado (lemon juice with sugar) with food. At the same time, they will gladly climb their bread into your plate. Friendship here truly knows no bounds!

2 |They greet in transport

In the Moscow metro, people unsuccessfully try to isolate themselves from each other: they turn to the window, close their eyes and put their headphones in, turning the music on to the maximum. In Tunisia, passengers do exactly the opposite. They love to chat in a taxi, so all passengers are sure to greet and smile at each other. Then there is a political argument or a trifling conversation about how hot it is today. Even though it was hot yesterday. And it will be hot tomorrow too.

3 |They laugh until they drop

Whatever anxieties and worries may overwhelm the head of a Tunisian, when you can laugh and have fun, he will discard other worries. Sincerely and selflessly, he will plunge into the atmosphere of the holiday at any outstanding opportunity. That's what friends are for, to forget about everything together, - this is what the native Tunisians think. If you do not want to be considered a gray mouse at a big party, join the iridescent mood of the crowd, and problems will wait at home.

4 |They love to lie

This is the way it is in this country, but Tunisians are better at making up stories than telling the truth. It is not customary here to immediately reveal all the cards. Not a single resident of Tunisia will refuse the opportunity to “embellish reality” by talking about his life to new acquaintances, especially if there are attractive people among them. It is not uncommon that even after two years of dating you do not have the opportunity to find out how everything really is there ... A person can invent a high position on the go and compose a story about a mysterious past. Ten minutes ago, your new friend seemed like a very ordinary hardworking guy, and now he has already grown in your eyes to a massage specialist, whom he studied for ten years in China, and in parallel he keeps a nice cafe nearby and sells oils abroad. A successful businessman can easily turn out to be a fruit seller in a nearby shop. You will have to debunk the myths on the spot, but be prepared not to succumb to cheap tricks.

5 |They count other people's money

Local girls and boys have one weakness - expensive things. Apartments, cars, any luxury appliances and accessories are discussed everywhere in this country. Many people like to complain that in neighboring Libya every second person drives around in a luxury foreign car, and in Algeria people are born with money in their pockets. At the same time, Tunisians often mention that their gasoline is more expensive than in other Arab countries, and it is difficult to buy a car, even a simple one. So if you own the latest iPhone or a good tablet, don't be surprised by the increased attention. They will definitely ask you for a price and, perhaps, they will look enviously: “Nice phone ...” There is a special attitude to phones here.

6 |They love to tease

Well, something, but Tunisians know how to ask, and this does not bother them at all. There are cases when young guys from Tunisia, after a week of acquaintance, managed to beg a lot of money from tourists who left for their homeland. Our ladies are so naive that they are ready to believe terrible stories about the loss of money, work, housing and generously help new friends. Tunisians skillfully use such spiritual openness and kindness and accept gifts from "rich friends" without pain in their hearts. They can use the most cruel tricks and, with the dexterity of conjurers, influence the most vulnerable points of a woman's heart. Be careful!

7 |They throw trash in the street

After the revolution and the change of government, no one here is obviously worried about cleanliness. Tunisians, without a second's hesitation, throw a bottle of juice right on the road, and after smoking a cigarette, they crush the bull with a boot. Under the government of Habib Bourguiba, who served as president for 30 years until 1987, the country had perfect discipline. Janitors cleaned the streets to a shine, as the local old people say. Everything changed quickly: today people have lost their sense of responsibility for their state, leaving only dissatisfaction and demands on the current president.

8 |They don't keep track of time

It is pointless to complain about the lack of punctuality of the people of Tunisia. If you agreed to meet with a Tunisian at 17:00, he may come at 20:30 or even forget about the event and remember you the next day. At the same time, he may not have special affairs, but perhaps he was invited to visit on the same evening and he could not refuse good people. Only a work contract will force a person to be on time, all other reservations do not work. They do not like problems with the law, but they like being free from obligations so much that the Tunisian will easily answer your indignation: “Everything is in order, there is no problem” - and smile.

8 reasons why I won't go to Tunisia anymore. Start

Tunisia is a disposable country.Tunisia doesn't like Russians. This is how tourists write about Tunisia on the Internet. I read this late when I was sitting in the hotel lobby of the Hammamet hotel. I heard the same words at the airport from the tourists who were standing nearby waiting to board the flight home. And, leaving Tunisia, for the first time I did not throw a coin into the sea in order to return here again ...

1. Aggressive Arabs.A couple of independent trips to the local bazaar and the incident with my mother turned the desire to arrange a global Tunisian shopping. Passing by the shop, my mother glanced at the bag."How mach? - The Arab reacted violently to this question of hers. He grabbed his hand and literally dragged him into his shop. There he took out packages, crumpled paper from the bag:"Fifty dollar ". Mom smiled shyly, waved her hand negatively:"Know-no"...

The Arab blushed, hissed and threw the bag on the floor. Then he blocked the exit. And he said in mixed French-English something like: “Until you collect the paper back and put the bag back in its place, you won’t go out!”

My mother, at work - the boss in the field of communications, at home - a modest cook, masterfully rolling jars of cucumbers. For the first time in her life, she went beyond the Crimea. Here she did not call for help from the people and the Russian consul. Silently did what was asked. This incident seriously spoiled her impressions of a holiday abroad.

Another Arab grandmother of ours, on the contrary, drove out of her shop after a couple of days with the words “Finish Bazaar!”. She bought slippers for 7 dinars and waited for change. However, the shopkeeper did not give her three dinars (60 rubles), stamping his feet and pointing her hand to the exit. It happened in front of my eyes. I tried to stand up for the woman, but to no avail.

“Hey, ty, Russian! Come here! ”- so they shouted from almost every shop, when I, with my little daughter and nephew, in a long sundress, like a nun’s, and with my head covered, walked between the shops with silver and lamps.

Their ignorance of our cases and declensions, tactlessness in the national question could be attributed to a lack of education, upbringing, the poverty of the country, an alien mentality, or whatever.

But the behavior of some of them ... Frank grasping of the hands, the elbows and, the most killing, the memorized mantras after: "sex-sex-sex", which they, under pain of death, would not allow to be said to their women wrapped in a burqa is hard to forgive.

Being in the Old Medina of the city of Hammamet, she even imprudently flared up. "Don't touch my hands! Grab your women by the elbows! I’ll tell my husband, he’ll kill you, ”I hissed at a thin, like a picket fence, a slightly cross-eyed brunette. He did not go into his pocket for a word. At first he said that I was a “Russian aggressor”. Then he ran after me until the very exit and shouted after me: “Ai kiss yu, ai kiss yu!”. The children, with an iron grip, held my right and left hands, trembled and asked me to speed up my step. The husband, who stayed at home, on the same evening, listening to what happened on Skype, scratched his fists ...

I note that I ended up bringing a suitcase of souvenirs for myself. But I bought them in air-conditioned stores with fixed prices and quite civilized sellers. By the way, the price did not lose at all.

2. Oriental courtship. I frantically telegraphed my misadventures on Twitter. They answered me, they say, read the warnings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They say that a woman without a man should not meddle in Arab countries ... Well, now I don’t show up and I don’t advise others.

It's really hard to ignore here. In order to politely shoot back from invitations to “talk in the evening” in a hotel, on the street, on the beach, you need to resurrect the actress in your soul and remember the glossy article “200 Ways to Tactfully Refuse a Guy.”

In Tunisia, I met a St. Petersburg kindergarten nanny in her sixties.

For a whole year, she and her friend, a teacher, lived on a salary, saving their pensions to go abroad. So even her, a widow, was desperately called on a date by her gray-haired Tunisian peer, who sold slippers and toys on the beach.

When she once again did not appear for a love meeting, he approached her on the beach and asked her to swear by Allah that Juliet would not deceive in the future ... The nanny told us this at dinner at the hotel, bursting with laughter. She again ignored the meeting with Romeo.

Looking ahead, I will say that there are still exceptions to these widespread rules. In Tunisia, I met two girls, from Tyumen and Moscow, who nevertheless married their local suitors.

3. External affection for Russian ladies, however, does not interfere with Tunisians, to put it mildly, openly dislike our people in principle...

Here I will pause and break. I will talk about this in the next post. A continuation, where I will write about the widespread dirt, about rats, about what Tunisians think about the Arab Spring and, finally, about the advantages of a holiday in Tunisia, follows.

Categories

Popular