Clothing and other Tunisia Tourist Trap Tips

First timer often ask ''how should I clothe in Tunisia ?" (especially females). As I wrote in my introduction, “The way of life of Tunisian citizens is not very different from what it is in other Mediterranean countries and is mostly “occidental”. In the bled (back country), the way of life has remained more traditional“.
The answer to that question depends where you are and it depends how you want to be considered. First of all, as everywhere else in the world, wearing a bathing suit will of course be strictly restricted to bathing areas. If you visit the main touristy places and stay in hotels for tourist only (Tunisian and foreign), you might consider that there is not really any dress code. It is true that nobody will react to your outfit, which ever it is and will say anything about it.

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At Least Do This: However, the more you will show your skin (legs, arms, shoulders), the more you will be considered as a tourist. If you want to be considered as a foreign visitor who knows and respect the use of the country, you will avoid shorts, extensive cleavage, nude shoulders and even bare arms. If you wander around the country and visit ''out of the beaten path" places, this advice is a must, though, even in those places, nobody will say anything wrong to you if you are clothed in a ''touristy" fashion, but you will be looked at as an alien from another planet !

Always look at how locals are clothed (in European style of course) and clothe at the same time to be yourself and to adjust to the local practice. Don't try to dress in local clothes or for women, to wear a local scarf (very seldom worn in Tunisia). You would draw much more attention that if you were clothed in a regular but decent style.

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Do not try to take photos of people by surprise (when YOU are the local, do you appreciate if tourists take a photo of you without asking ?). If you take a general photo, take care that nobody is in the foreground. If you take a closer view (shop), always ask. In touristy areas, the answer will often be negative, unless you have bought something in the shop. Sometimes, the individual will ask for a tip. In that case, you have better not take the picture. In non touristy places (look at my Rabat page), you will be surprised that most accept. Some prefer to hide while you take the photo, others will be glad to appear on your photo and will be even happier if you write down their name and address to send them the photo (don't forget to do it !)

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Don't forget that even in the most remote places, even in the middleof the desert, where you feel you are completely alone, you will most of the time soon have visitors, friendly but curious. It may take a few minutes, ten minutes or sometimes more but there is very little chance that you will not have a visit. Never forget that the desert is not desert !

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