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| *Travel Tips>>>Tunisia Travel Tips |
I'm going to meet my other halfs family in Sousse Tunisia? |
Travel Info What shall I expect? I know it will be a culture shock, Were going over there in august, so it will be way to hot but I really want to meet them. I'm worried about not being able to talk to them as I dont understand a word of arabic and they dont understand english, my partner speaks both so he will translate everything for me!! Anyway any advice or comments ?? Travel Tips When you meet his family, try to dress modestly. I don't mean you have to cover up completely, but don't show too much skin because it will be disrespectful. You can wear a skirt, shorts, sleeveless shirt if you want - they're all fine. It is customary to bring a "gift" when going to people houses (especially family) for the first time. You could either bring a bouquet of flowers for his mom, stop at the local patisserie and buy a cake for the family, or do both. I personally did both when I first met my husbands family. Another nice gesture is to bring a souvenir from where you live. Also here in Tunisia women greet each other by kissing on each cheek. Women usually just shake hands with men, but if they are family, you are most likely expected to kiss them on the cheeks as well. You should ask your boyfriend how his father would prefer to be addressed - by handshake or by a kiss on the cheeks. Try to learn at least a few words in Arabic before you go because it will show them that you are trying to make an effort to be one of the family. They of course won't expect it from you, but it will be a nice surprise. You can ask your boyfriend for help, or I'd be happy to teach you some words. If you know any French, try to use it as much as possible. Tunisians speak French fluently and it will help you and them to understand each other better. The best piece of advice I can give you is to be yourself. Let them get to know the real you, while at the same time you should act respectful (I'm sure you will). Tunisians have a very strong reverence for family and reputation. Try to remember this and you will be fine! If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me anytime. ****EDIT***** This is in response to hugo_chafez. 1. Female circumcision is NOT practiced in Tunisia, nor do family members go looking for it. The only type of circumcision that IS practiced is male circumcision and that is done according to religion, and there is a big party for the boys after this takes place (can happen anytime from 40 days after birth to about 6 years, but is most common around 2-3 years of age). 2. When women get together to talk, we talk about family life, and other innocent things. Occasionally yes, we will gossip. But we in no way handcuff or otherwise hold someone against their will to undress them and "inspect" them. 3. The Hammam is a place where women go to clean themselves, and has nothing of a sexual nature to it. We sit in the steam room for a period of time (as long or as little as you like), then rub off all the dead skin cells with a special wash cloth. Afterwards we shower as normal. 4. Women use what we call sucr茅 ( a mixture of sugar and lemon) to wax ourselves. You can either do it yourself, or pay a women to do it for you. You can wax your whole body (as is customary for weddings), or just the main areas (such as legs, arms, underarms, face, and private area). Admittedly it does hurt the first time, but in no means is it "violently" done. 5. Hair is not removed from the private area due to a thought about the devil. It is done for cleanliness. It helps to keep odor away (especially during the summer heat when you sweat a lot), and to make a women look more appealing. It is the womens CHOICE on if she wants to do it or not. 6. I can safely say that as a foreigner, nothing has ever been done to me against my will. I have been taken care of, loved, and welcomed into my husbands family from the start. Source(s): American married to a Tunisian Have been living in Tunisia 5+ years http://360.yahoo.com/jamie_hassen... Other Travel Tips I would ask him what the cultural customs are there... like if you shake hands, hug, those kinds of things. Sounds exciting though! I bet they'll love ya =) good luck the international body language may help, so watch that, also you can ask your Partner to teach you very simple words, write it down and on the flight try to learn how to say it right, few words, like yes, no, hello, bye, how are you, I am happy to be here, I like you, mostly positive. take few gifts, they would love that, that means you care. try to wear moderate,not too open, short or tight, be modest and fun. you should be fine, Good Luck :) Really will be a culture shock, I was in Sousse last year, you could be pleasantly suprised it is a fantastic city with lovely white sand beaches all along it. Men over there can be quiet arrgessive towards foreign women especially if you are on you own while shopping but really I had a fantastic time there. There is one big shopping centre with lots of little shops all around a big court yard. Most people we met over there did speak english so other than the future in laws you should be ok. Food might be a bit strange they still serve things like rabbit and camel in restuarants. Best of luck and no matter what relax and enjoy:) Hi there, I have some bad news for you, sorry to inform you but I've watched a bizarre thing in BBC channel. Usually after the first welcoming meeting, women there, sisters and relatives of your boyfriend will try to sit with you to talk. 1- Be carefull of this step because they will gather and strip you from your bottom underwear to check your clitoris for (Female circumcision). They will check it as it's a habit that all females shall have it as a sign of dignity. 2- In the BBC a British woman went there with her husband, she said that his sisters and some females, gathered, some handcuffed here and some took off her underwear to check that. 3- Don't accept any offer for a traditional (Hammam) vapor shower there, because there is no privacy there, they can inter with you and do the same there and more bizarre!! 4- The women said that they removed her pubic hair, violently, with some sort of local sweets: local wax type. Because they think that a hairy vagina, is causing the devil to hurt the to be born children! So my advice to you is to take all your care there .. otherwise you'll put yourself in a very inconvenient situation. Hey girl, sorry when I will not answer your question. Go by what "Tunisabelle" said, she knows best by own experience. Just want to let you know that whatever "hugo_chafez" wrote is totally nonsense (and that's a nice word for it). Female circumsision even does not exist in Tunisia! Maybe he got mixed up with some rueal tribes living in Africa and does not not anything about Tunisia. This post is just disgusting! Just wanted to let you know that so you won't be worried about a thing. As much as I know about Tunisians, they are very friendly and hostile. Just be yourself, respect the different culture, trust your partner, talk openly about your worries and leave it up to him to have a good time meeting his relatives. Enjoy and take care |
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