Tunisian men. Flirt on the street. Old age here is secure; old single women are entitled to a nurse paid by the state. There are no street children, they are not abandoned. There are no homeless people either. The country lives by the motto, which is being put into practice: “everything for

In the land of Maghreb and Habibi

When meeting a man, look at his left ear, drink tea with nuts, and look for a rose in the lake. I learned this and much more while traveling around Tunisia.

To Africa for two hundred bucks

I ended up in Tunisia by chance - at a press conference that turned into a noisy buffet, one of the owners of a network of travel agencies offered me to go to any country in the world for two hundred bucks. Of course, I agreed and the next day I was already standing at the door of his office. Sobered up and slightly taken aback, he nevertheless turned out to be a true gentleman and a man of his word. A few days later, at Sheremetyevo-2 airport, I registered a ticket for a flight to Monastir airport. By the way, in the next window the flight to Haifa was booked by Efim Shifrin.

The flight was calm and comfortable. It is worth noting that for me flying is a special adventure; I simply adore airplanes. Below lies the beauty of the earth: the snow-white peaks of the Alps, the European Mediterranean coast - the Riviera with neat, white hotel buildings, blue waters seas...

The country of victorious feminism

The first thing you notice upon arrival in Tunisia is the intoxicating smell of flowers: oleander, jasmine, bougainvillea. And very tall grass - that's Africa for you! I traveled all over Tunisia from south to north. One of the countries of the Maghreb - an ancient Arab conglomerate - today is a symbiosis of a European-Arab power. Before independence, Tunisia was ruled by the French. They left behind colonial architecture, French - the second official language after Arabic - and baguettes with croissants. Islam here does not have such a decisive importance as in neighboring Algeria or Libya; the attitude towards believers is calm. There are almost no large families in Tunisia; families have two, rarely three, children. Tunisian men jokingly call their homeland the country of victorious feminism. Indeed, this is perhaps the only country in the Arab world where women's equal rights are guaranteed by the constitution. Girls study here, women work. And the traffic police do not have the right to stop a car for a violation if it is driven by a woman.

Unlike other Islamic countries, polygamy is prohibited in Tunisia. And it’s not easy for a man to get a wife. The applicant for the hand and heart must be rich enough to pay the bride price, and have a regular income, so that the girl’s parents give their daughter to him. And a wedding ceremony is an expensive affair. The bride must be provided with dresses, which she must change at the wedding three times: gold, silver and silk. Previously, every bride had to have robes, and they passed from mother to daughter. Today they are available for rent. The rental cost is about $30 per day, with an average level wages- about 200 dollars per month. As a wedding gift, the groom is required to present the bride with at least 3 kg of gold jewelry. Tunisia has the largest number of unmarried 25-30 year old men. And same-sex relationships between men are also not uncommon.

In general, in Tunisia there is a feeling that only young people live here. There are especially many children on the streets who feel quite independent, and young people.

Man with jasmine

Having visited Tunisia, I now clearly know which of our compatriots is the most popular. Having heard that I was from Russia, local residents, demonstrating their remarkable knowledge of politics, declared: “Oh, Putin!” And when they saw our blondes, they shouted: “Hello, Anna Kurnikova!” But more often they were called Natasha.

After looking at Tunisians in fezzes with bouquets of jasmine behind their ears, I asked one of them what this outfit meant. He mysteriously said: “Habibi” (“beloved”) and handed over the flower without explaining anything. Then several more men on the street gave me similar gifts. Intrigued by this, I turned to our guide Sasha. He laughed: “You missed your chance to marry a Tunisian!” It turns out that this traditional way dating: a guy hands the girl he likes a sprig of jasmine, and she decides whether to start a relationship. You can also determine a man’s marital status by colors. If he wears a branch with flowers behind his right ear, it means he is married; behind his left ear, it means he is single. But don’t get your hopes up that there are squeaky clean men living in Tunisia.

Troglodytes - the ancestors of the Slavs?

Tunisia has a lot of attractions: the famous Carthage, the Roman Colosseum in El Jem, and the largest in the world salt Lake Chott el-Jerid, and the unforgettable Sahara Desert, and the beautiful Atlas Mountains. Tunisia can also be called an African “dream factory”. Many popular Hollywood films were filmed here. In the Snake Canyon - the film "The English Patient", in the El-Jema Amphitheater "Gladiator" with Russell Crowe, in the town of Matmata - the second episode of "Star Wars" by George Lucas with its famous lunar landscapes. It's hard to believe, but Lucas didn't even have to build special sets - everything was already created by nature.

The natives of Tunisia were very surprised - the Berbers who inhabit the desert areas. They call themselves Amazigh - Berbers, or barbarians, they were nicknamed by the Europeans. Once upon a time it was a large people with ancient history, but today there are no more than 2% of them in Tunisia. Berber blood is in the veins of world football star Zinedine Zidane and French singer Edith Piaf. Berbers still live in the Atlas Mountains, carving their homes right into the rock. Everything is simple inside: there is no electricity, furniture or complex household appliances. The scorching daytime sun and cold nights combine to create a comfortable temperature for living inside the neatly whitewashed cave. And you don’t have to pay for gas, electricity or land rent. But no matter how poor a Tunisian is, he goes for fresh bread three times a day! Having decided to separate from his family, a young Berber looks for a suitable hill in the area and digs a large hole at its top - this is a courtyard. From the hole inside the hill, passages-corridors and chamber-rooms are dug. All the premises of such a house are actually located underground - hence the second, Roman name for the Berbers - troglodytes (literally - “living underground”). According to one hypothesis, the Berbers have common roots with the Slavs. And indeed, I saw a couple of blue-eyed and fair-haired Berbers, and the language of one of the Berber tribes is similar to Old Church Slavonic.

The huge salt lake Chott el Djerid is located in the sands of the Sahara. Surrounded by dunes, an absolutely flat surface covered with a salt crust stretches for many kilometers. The water here appears only in spring and is a thick brine of various shades. The only flower that can survive in such conditions is the desert rose - a beautiful formation of gypsum and salt crystals. You can buy it as a souvenir from the Berbers or, if you’re lucky, find it on the lake yourself. The flat surface of Lake Chott el Djerid is considered an ideal place for mirages.

Inga IVANOVA.

SIDEBAR: 10 must-do things in Tunisia:

1. Spend the night in the underground home of Jedi Luke Skywalker from Star Wars.

2. Drive a jeep through the sand dunes of the Sahara.

3. Find the desert rose at the Chott el Djerid salt lake.

4. Visit the gladiator's chamber at the El Jem Colosseum.

5. Stay in a Berber dwelling in Matmata.

6. Explore the ruins of Carthage.

7. Take a souvenir photo at the monument to Hannibal.

8. Try the famous date liqueur “Tibarin”...

9. ...and wonderful Tunisian green tea with pine nuts.

10. Buy excellent local olive oil.

In the photo: Fennec fox - a type of fox - national symbol Tunisia.

This Shell gas station is featured in " Star Wars» Lucas.

In the cave dwelling of a native Berber woman.

The main means of transportation in Tunisia are dromedaries - one-humped camels.

How do they treat Russians in Tunisia?

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. One of best places For relaxation, Tunisia is considered, where there is everything for both an active and relaxing holiday. This is interesting for everyone to know: should Russian tourists go on vacation to Tunisia?

Why should Russians go to Tunisia?

  • Clean sea, snow-white beaches, untouched nature and beautiful climatic conditions. This is an ideal place to relax with children.
  • Affordable prices make Tunisia popular among tourists from all over the world. Except beach holiday, you can undergo a course of therapeutic therapy. Tunisia is famous for its healing procedures that restore strength and energy.
  • Incredible excursions around the Sahara attract more and more lovers active rest. In addition, each excursion is carefully tailored to suit the needs of each 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 can find for themselves both a comfortable hotel and a budget option housing. Also in Tunisia there is a lot of entertainment for both adults and children. In other words this paradise on earth where everyone can find something for themselves unforgettable vacation.
  • Affordable prices and excellent service make Tunisia one of the popular destinations among tourists from all over the world, including Russian citizens.
  • In addition, most tour operators annually offer last-minute tours that allow everyone to relax and at the same time have an unforgettable vacation.

Why shouldn't Russians go to Tunisia?

  • Compared to Egypt in Tunisia low level after-sales service. It depends on how lucky you are. You can have an unforgettable holiday if you choose the right one tourist destination, but you can be disappointed in this country. Tunisia can be divided into tourist and local residents. Areas aimed at welcoming wealthy tourists are characterized by an excellent level of service. If you choose cheap holiday, then you may encounter a 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 are not liked in Tunisia, and all because of their greed. Compared to European tourists, Russians tip less, and the service staff really don’t like this. Of course, not all Tunisia is the same and you can find people who are friendly towards 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 to Tunisia unaccompanied. At the same time, you shouldn’t 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 the 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 particularly 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 look at statistical data, tourists do not disappear there, do not get into accidents, and return safe and sound.

Igor Boldyrev

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

Tunisians are very friendly towards their guests. They treated the first Russian tourists the same as the rest. But I’ll tell you this: now Russian tourists are not liked anywhere. This is the stereotype that Russian citizens created. More and more foreigners do not go where Russians vacation; they are even willing to pay extra for it. Lack of culture, drunkenness, boorish behavior, and even about buffets I’m generally silent - only Russians bring out food.

Tunisians are friendly and welcoming people. I was on holiday alone in Hammamet at the Sentido Aziz hotel. The French, English and Germans stayed at the hotel. I was alone among Russian speakers at that time. The attitude towards everyone is equal. Outside the hotel it is quite safe at all times. The attitude in hotels in Egypt and in hotels in Tunisia is heaven and earth. True, they speak little Russian (almost none), but a minimum knowledge of English, or better yet French, plus international sign language makes 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 cannot be a 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 Tunisians, to put it mildly, from openly disliking our people in principle.

Tatiana

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

Irina

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

Elena

I would like to add my review about my holiday in Tunisia. I vacationed in this country twice resort area Sousse. We were greeted very kindly. The administrator spoke quite passable Russian. True, there were few Russians in the hotel. The Tunisians were pleasantly surprised to be greeted in French and Arabic (not difficult to learn). The entire staff is very discreet. If you don’t forget to say thank you with the dinar (Tunisian currency), you are always welcome to the staff. Tips are given in hand. Special attention is given to women without men. But no one will show rudeness and arrogance. This year I will go to Tunisia again. I don’t feel any barrier in this country, especially knowing a little French. Be polite and attentive yourself! Tunisia will greet you with a gentle sea and generous sun!

Video

Sources

    https://turtella.ru/Tunisia/q3675.html https://ftour.otzyv.ru/read.php?id=4010 https://www.rutraveller.ru/quest?id=31998

Why Russian women choose Eastern men
Date of: 14/07/2005
Subject: Tourism in Tunisia

Why do Russian women choose Eastern men? The Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper tried to figure this out.

The situation is critical: already quite civilized Russian citizens, who have visited hot Muslim countries at least once, are becoming convinced fans of sex with natives. They easily rush into their arms, despite the contemptuous condemnation of their compatriots. And the scale of the national-sexual disaster went beyond all decency. And this is not speculation - a harsh reality. Don't believe me? Dial at any search engine Internet keywords, for example: “I slept with a Turk (Egyptian, Arab, Tunisian).” And you will immediately receive links to numerous forums where rested ladies share their impressions - mostly positive. About eight out of ten are like that.

As a rule, someone initiates the exchange of opinions. For example, on one of the sites, a certain Timur posted a story about his friend. She fell for a local waiter in Turkey. And she returned to Moscow in a state of complete sexual delight. She is now planning to leave her businessman husband, take the child and go to Turkey - to be a waiter and enjoy herself. Another site posted a similar story, albeit with a different “semi-final.”

“...My sister fell in love with a Turk after her vacation in Turkey,” writes a certain Maria. - He worked there as some kind of trainer in a hotel. She flew to him for the second time, and now he is our guest! My family and I are simply in shock as they make plans for the future! At 31, he has neither education nor money... I am sure that my sister is making a mistake, but she says that they are in love...”

“I have the same thing,” some Sheila echoes Maria. - He arrived three weeks ago, is hanging out at our house with my sister, and they are going to get married... And not a penny of money... But “I love - I can’t”... Beautiful words, noodles on the ears - well, a nightmare, and nothing can be done...” Both Timur and both frightened women turned to the virtual public for advice. Like, how to bring the lost to reason? But it was not there. The ladies are carried in a completely different direction. Most of the respondents support sex tourists. They themselves admit to similar holiday romances. And they prove that Eastern men are great lovers. And all the rest, especially Russians, are no good.

Favorites - from reviews on forums.

The contrast with the Russians is not in their favor

Confessions of women who are hooked on the romance of the resort East “I slept with a Turk. And also at the resort. Three days later he asked me to get married. After my arrival, it took me a month to come to my senses; I couldn’t look at Russian men...”

“Eastern men - Turks, Arabs - are powerful drugs. After the first sip, the tower blows away. They are really different. Soft and sweet, but at the same time real men, sort of macho. The contrast with the Russians is stunning - and not in favor of the latter. It’s been five years since I became addicted to Arabs. By the way, there are enough of them in Russia. I no longer perceive Russians as men. I can’t sleep with them - I feel physical disgust. A year and a half ago, I found exactly what I needed - he’s from Tunisia...”

“I arrived from Turkey a week ago and lost my head over my beloved Turk. He sends me text messages in Russian in Latin letters, it’s very difficult to make out anything... I live from Siberia, and he works in Alanya. He was courted simply with brilliance and manners, like those of a secular man. And in bed it’s just such a god. I haven’t experienced this with Russian men...” “I had about 20 Arabs, 7 Russians and 3 blacks. The best of all was an Arab, a shawarma chef. And I didn’t like the blacks at all. Five years ago, I deliberately switched exclusively to Arabs. Reasons: appearance, and most importantly, it is easier to communicate with them. At first, I was generally euphoric - everyone seemed to be sizzling super-lovers.”

“And the super ones are the Egyptians. In bed - just tigers..."

Just bored me to the point of nausea

There are significantly fewer women with a different opinion about Eastern men. I would just kiss such patriots! “They just have a different approach, the Turks. The southern ones are emotional, beating their chests, saying a bunch of beautiful words that our men can never squeeze out of themselves... All “poetry”, sentimentality... our girls are melting. And, for me, this is just a set of rote compliments...”

“I love vacationing in Turkey, but the only thing that spoils my vacation there are the Turks. They are like mosquitoes in the Moscow region, just as numerous, mobile, annoying and persistent. Until you send, they will never leave you behind. True, the Arabs in Egypt are even worse...”

“How low do you have to go to lie with a Turk?!” Especially with a waiter or a lifeguard on the beach?! The whole world knows that it is to Turkey that the sex-starved portion of European women go to Turkey for one-time adventures...”

“I know for sure that Turkish, Egyptian waiters and other servants - right down to the towel issuers on the beach - have 10 affairs per season. And then in the winter they go to their sweethearts. Many have traveled half the world this way...”

Men are against it. But what's the point?

Even in the virtual statements of representatives of the strong half of the Russian population, one can hear the furious grinding of teeth: “We have two very pretty unmarried girls at work, proud, you can’t ride a mad goat... At all sorts of drinking parties I brought one almost to condition - I already unfastened her bra, but further... no further! And then they returned from Turkey, and I accidentally overheard their conversation with a friend about Turkish “boys”... I was simply shocked...” “A Turkish animator told me that their girls need to maintain their virginity before marriage. Where should young Turks go? In order not to die from masturbation, they relieve themselves with donkeys in winter. If you don't believe me, you can ask the guides. So have a blast, girls, have a blast...”

“Turks meet anyone randomly, for example, it is normal for them for a 20-year-old guy to hit on a 40-year-old woman. They need her for one day. They don’t accept condoms, hundreds of women can miss out during the season, and, of course, all the diseases that are known to science. In general, don’t be fooled if you don’t want to reward yourself and someone else with a “gift.”

OPINIONS OF EXPERTS

Hot oriental guys are a myth

Vadim GOLDSTEIN, sociologist:
- Residents have hot eastern countries The reproductive instinct is better preserved. It is not without reason that polygamy and harems are common among Muslims. But there are not enough women of our own, especially sexually liberated ones. So they attack the bodies arriving from the West. But Russian women mistake attention to their flesh for spiritual feelings. Other European women - not so naive - simply have fun to the best of their sexual hunger. After all, everyone has a chance to sleep with some Arab. Even the one that men at home don’t notice at all. These are the ones who return from the resorts in particular delight.

Andrey BELENTSEV, sex therapist:
- The situation on the gender front has not changed much over the past last years. Only the geography became different. Previously, when Turkey, Egypt and other eastern exotics were closed to the bulk of Russian women, the indigenous people were considered the “best lovers” Black Sea coast Caucasus. But only thanks to his arrogance and obsession. And stories about some unearthly caresses and tirelessness in bed are nothing more than myths. Yes, the sea, sun, shrimp and fruits make your hormones bubble a little more. But I’m willing to bet: after a week at the resort, a normally rested northerner will beat any southerner. And among the “hot eastern guys” there are actually a lot of those who suffer from premature ejaculation.

At the end of December, fate the sorceress (yes, yes, some are a villain, and some are a sorceress :)) threw me into Tunisia, to a town called Bizerte. No, for the first time she took me to Tunisia in the summer of 2010 and to a slightly different place, but there I met my, as it turned out, future husband (at that time it was impossible to believe it), and after that everything was a foregone conclusion.

I've been living in Tunisia for almost 2 months, but there are already things I like and don't like. Perhaps this is just a period of acclimatization, and in a year everything will change, but for now the situation is as follows:

1. Three things I like about Tunisia

A huge amount of hair oil, which in our Russian money costs just a penny. I remember I had an epic search for almond oil for hair - I read everything about it and really wanted to try it. I spent 2 weeks scouring pharmacies - the result was the same everywhere: in the database, not in stock. As a result, I finally found a bottle (200 grams, I don’t remember exactly) for 120 rubles. Here in all the shops, not to mention, there are rows of it in the shops: almond, peach, avocado, grape, and not to mention olive. With our money - 20 rubles. My hair gets an at-home spa every day!
- French. Whatever one may say, it will be simpler than Arabic, and I studied it at school for 4 years. Therefore, there is hope that I will still quickly start talking to the natives. If only Arabic was in use here (speech in Arabic, signs in Arabic, and so on), I would have a hard time.
- Weather. Well, this is with reservations and not every day. Now, for example, in Bizerte it is cold and raining with snow, although I hoped that I would not see snow for a long time. It didn't come true. But as soon as the sun comes out, you immediately forget that it’s winter on the calendar. Yes, it’s not the month of May, yes, it’s only 15 degrees, but if you wrap yourself in a blanket, you can perfectly sit on the terrace with a cup of coffee and a laptop. And very soon the mountain will become much warmer :).

2. Three things I don't like about Tunisia

- "Inshallah." Yes, there is such an unpleasant thing. In our opinion, it can be translated as “God willing.” All inshallah. All tomorrow and with God's help. Well, we didn’t make internet today, well, the electricity ran out, well, we didn’t find gas - tomorrow, inshallah. That is, because of this “tomorrow-inshallah”, people in some places don’t worry too much. It would be possible to spin around and make it today, but why, if, inshallah, everything will be tomorrow.
- Driving without rules. Here I want to make a reservation right away: Tunisia, despite its modest size, is very, very different. In Bizerte, where I live, with rules traffic a lot of stress. That is, they exist, and everyone knows them, but no one follows them. I remember when I was visiting my then future husband, I drove around solely clutching the door handle. It’s calmer now, but from time to time I still close my eyes and squeeze into the seat. He is driving in oncoming traffic and feels very confident. And the funny thing is that people who are driving in their lane silently give way to him, as if that’s the way it should be. And every time I think: well, when I get behind the wheel, someone like this comes my way...
- Food on the streets. If they told me in Russia that I would eat lasagna and pasta every day, I would not believe my luck. But in reality it turned out that everything is not so rosy at all, and after 3 days the pasta begins to creep back. Alas, there is no such gastronomic variety as in any of our most shabby cafes. No salads, no ten types of chops... Buns with cheese and pasta with meat. I have never eaten so many buns in my entire previous life.

3. Three things from home that I miss
(I’ll only talk about what I can’t find here, because there are things that I simply couldn’t take from home objective reasons, but I just didn’t have time to buy it here)

Nori for rolls. Rolling rolls at home is easier than steamed turnips, and I have everything for this except nori seaweed. And theirs in Tunisia, as it turned out, is during the day with fire. Just like Japanese restaurants, in principle. So for now I’ll ask my friend to buy 10 packs and send them with the opportunity, and then... well, maybe they’ll deliver them after all. The funny thing is that I found rice for the rolls, although any rice can be used. But nori... eh.
- Good shopping centers. I was tempted by sales here (in Tunisia, February is the month of nationwide discounts), but the trouble is that there is basically nothing to buy. Of course, I haven’t seen everything yet, but according to my husband’s assurances, they took me to a “very good shopping mall", in which I was never able to find anything worthwhile. If it is very good, then what will happen next.
- Plastic teapot. I have this quirk. Here there are ceramic and metal ones - the first ones are all obviously boring and dreary, the second ones... that’s all I don’t like. I want a simple pot-bellied one - a glass ball with a plastic lid and a plastic bottom, and inside there is a plastic mesh. Again, in Rush there are a carload of them in each shop for 2 rubles a bucket. Here I am already tired of explaining what I need. I showed my husband the picture and he said he had never seen anything like it. Here... I ordered it too. Damn, it’s a pity you can’t order a good shopping center :).

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

The increasing frequency of terrorist attacks and the tense situation disciplines any sane traveler. But the article is not about how bad or good everything is. 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 are turning into faded and sore places in Sochi and Crimea.

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

Traveler's world Russian tourist faded a little. From freedom of movement, choice, speech, democracy, tolerance to the ban on widest choice countries potentially suitable for holidays. Today you no longer decide where to fly on your own. Everything is dictated for you, and from this entire shortened list of cheap, familiar holidays, it’s as if you independently choose the route to Mineralnye Vody and Sochi.

Loving your country is good and right, but what about those who have already seen enough of Sochi, been fed up with the Mineral Waters springs, and breathed in the fresh Altai air...

And again I’m carried away - I want to write an article about the oddities of the Tunisians, which will surprise any Russian traveler, but no - I want to speculate - to speak out... Surely, the reader will be surprised - they say, why do we care about Tunisian troubles, write more about Russia and the intricacies of local tourism . I answer: no one has yet canceled curiosity and perhaps someday my experience will be useful to you)

So - Tunisian oddities - revelations of a Russian traveler, I share my accumulated 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, but at the table they like to slurp deliciously and often forget to use cutlery. Although no - they just don’t need a fork. It's much nicer to use a piece of bread that you can dip into soup or pick up a little salad with. All the hottest sauces are also eaten with bread. In a restaurant, the meal begins with the waiter placing a basket of baguette and a plate of harissa and mishwaya pepper salad (containing egg, pepper and butter) on the table. Ten minutes later they bring a hot dish and drinks. Tunisians do not hesitate to wash down their food with cola or citronado (lemon juice with sugar). At the same time, they will gladly put their bread on your plate. Friendship here truly knows no bounds!

2 |They say hello in public transport

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

3 |They laugh until they drop

No matter what anxieties and worries may be in the head of a Tunisian, when he can laugh and have fun, he will put aside other worries. Sincerely and selflessly, he will plunge into the holiday atmosphere at any given opportunity. That’s what friends are for, to forget about everything together, that’s what native Tunisians think. If you don’t want to be considered a gray mouse at a big party, join the rosy mood of the crowd, and the problems will wait at home.

4 |They love to lie

This is the way it is in this country, but Tunisians are better at inventing tall tales than telling the truth. It is not customary here to reveal all the cards at once. Not a single Tunisian will refuse the opportunity to “embellish reality” by telling new acquaintances about his life, especially if there are attractive people among them. It’s not uncommon that even after two years of dating you don’t have the opportunity to find out how everything really is... A person can invent a high position for himself on the fly and make up a story about a mysterious past. Ten minutes ago, your new friend seemed like a completely ordinary hard-working guy, but here he has already grown in your eyes to become a massage specialist, which he studied for ten years in China, and at the same time he runs 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 fall for cheap tricks.

5 |They count other people's money

Local girls and guys have one weakness - expensive things. Apartments, cars, any luxury equipment and accessories are discussed everywhere in this country. Many people like to complain that in neighboring Libya every second person drives a luxury foreign car, while 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. Therefore, if you are the owner of the latest iPhone or a good tablet, do not be surprised by the increased attention. They will definitely ask you for the price and, perhaps, look at you enviously: “Nice phone...” There is a special attitude towards phones here.

6 |They love to pretend

Tunisians know how to ask for something, and it doesn’t bother them at all. There are known cases when young guys from Tunisia, after a week of dating, managed to beg a lot of money from tourists who had left for their homeland. Our ladies are so naive that they are ready to believe scary stories about the loss of money, work, housing and generously helping new friends. Tunisians skillfully take advantage of such spiritual openness and kindness and accept gifts from “rich friends” without pain in their hearts. They can use the most cruel techniques and, with the dexterity of magicians, influence the most vulnerable points of a woman’s heart. Be careful!

7 |They throw trash on the street

After the revolution and change of government, clearly no one is worried about cleanliness here. Tunisians, without a moment’s hesitation, throw a juice bottle right on the road, and after finishing their cigarette, they crush the bull with their shoe. Under the government of Habib Bourguiba, who served as president for 30 years until 1987, the country had perfect discipline. The street cleaners cleaned the streets until they were sparkling, as local elders say. Everything quickly changed: today people have lost their sense of responsibility for their state, all that remains is dissatisfaction and demands towards the current president.

8 |They don't keep track of time

There is no point in complaining about the lack of punctuality of Tunisians. If you agreed to meet a Tunisian at 17:00, he may come at 20:30 or completely forget about the event and remember you the next day. At the same time, he may not have much to do, but perhaps he was invited to visit that very evening and he could not refuse good people. Only a work contract will force a person to be on time; all other clauses do not apply. They don’t like problems with the law, but they like being free from obligations so much that a Tunisian will easily answer your indignation: “Everything is fine, no problem” and smile.

 

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