Greetings
Greetings are an essential part of Tunisian culture. The traditional Tunisian greeting is ‘As-salamu alaykum’, which translates to ‘Peace be upon you,’ and it is customary to reply with ‘Wa alaykum as-salam’, meaning ‘And peace be upon you.’
When greeting someone, using the appropriate formality and both hands are vital. Tunisians tend to embrace and kiss on the cheek when greeting someone they know and respect. Therefore, understanding and following the customs of greetings is essential when visiting Tunisia.
Handshakes
Handshakes are an important way of exchanging greetings in Tunisia. Handshakes should be firm when meeting the opposite sex but refrain from using two hands. When greeting someone of the opposite sex, visitors should wait for them to extend their hand first.
When meeting someone for the first time, greet your hosts with a handshake and repeat the greeting in Arabic, “Salam Alaikum” ( Peace be upon you), to which they will respond, “Wa Alaikum salam” (Peace be unto you).
When addressing someone older than you, or someone you do not know well, it is polite to defer to them by taking their hand or wrist lightly and shaking it gently while slightly lowering your head or bowing. This gesture implies respect.
Respect for Elders
Tunisians place a high value on respect for elders, which remains an essential societal custom. It is common for people to show this respect by using respectful language when addressing elders, as well as considering their feelings and ideas when making decisions.
People are expected to stand as a sign of respect and deference when an elder enters the room, address them by their name or title and refrain from interrupting when speaking. If a request is made, it should be worded respectfully – rather than simply stating it directly – so that it’s clear that the right kind of attention is being paid to the elderly person’s authority and wishes.
Dining Etiquette
Concerning dining etiquette in Tunisia, there are some things to remember. Meal times should be respected, and food should not be wasted. Using your right hand when eating is polite, as the left hand is considered unclean. Eating with your hands is often encouraged, but it is important to remember not to dip your hands into a shared dish.
If you are invited to a meal at someone’s home, it is important to bring a small gift as a sign of respect:
- Chocolate or candy
- Flowers
- Pastries or cakes
- Small souvenirs
Table Manners
Being a guest in a Tunisian home or restaurant can be an exciting experience that warrants knowing some of the basics of Tunisian etiquette. One of the most important is table manners.
When dining, many customs feature more than in other cultures. It is polite to wait to start eating until everyone has been served. The eldest at the table begins eating first after saying “bismillah” (In the name of God). The host usually serves each person starting with those closest to them, before turning their attention to helping themselves.
Forks should be held in the right hand with three fingers wrapped around it, never gouging individual foods on the plate. Always cut food item by item and then use the fork inside your left hand to bring it up near your chin before eating it with your right hand, as a spoon is rarely used in Tunisia. Try not to finish everything on your plate as this implies that your host has not fed you enough and always leaves something behind, but also try not to leave much behind; otherwise, your host may think that you could not appreciate their cooking abilities!
It is customary for women to leave after dinner before men unless there are no female guests present. When leaving, always thank everyone for their excellent hospitality, starting with the hostess by saying Shukran! At this point, if water has been filled up during dinner, all glasses should be cleaned out so as not to appear half-filled when drinking from them. Plate clearing can have slightly different customs depending on whether you are dining within a family or restaurant setting. However, being conscious of these concepts will generally help in any environment.
Dress Code
Dressing well and conservatively is essential in Tunisia. Men should always wear a shirt, long trousers, and a jacket when dining in a restaurant or attending an event or special occasion. Women are expected to dress modestly at all times, which generally means wearing clothes that cover the arms, legs, and shoulders.
Bright colors and lively patterns are acceptable and appreciated in the country; however, overly revealing clothing is frowned upon in public areas. In some informal restaurants, shirts may not be necessary for both men and women; leather sandals with socks are generally accepted for both genders.
Public Behavior
Public behavior in Tunisia should be respected, as it generally follows conservative Islamic principles. Greetings are often a handshake, though men may place their right hand on their heart and bow slightly. Women may exchange kisses on the cheeks when greeting one another, but a man and woman who are not related should not trade public displays of affection.
For more customs and etiquette in Tunisia, let’s dive in:
Physical Contact
Tunisians, like other Middle Easterners, are not demonstrably affectionate in public. Handshakes are the standard greeting between people who have just met each other. Men do not physically show affection (like hugging or kissing) to each other; the same is true for women. However, if you are a friend of a Tunisian man or woman, it is not uncommon for them to hug you when meeting and/or departing after you have become familiar enough with them. Physical contact between men and women in public is generally prohibited, even if they know each other well.
Despite a growing openness toward intimate relationships outside marriage among modern Tunisians, unmarried couples are still frowned upon for displaying physical affection in places open to public views, such as squares, parks, and streets. Physical contact, such as hand-holding, may be seen among university students on campus but not around more conservative areas in Tunisia.
Public Displays of Affection
Public displays of affection are generally not accepted in Tunisia, even between married couples. It is best to show affection discreetly to avoid offending locals and potentially being reprimanded by the police. Holding hands or embracing in public is considered inappropriate and can draw unwanted attention.
This social rule extends to almost all types of friendships and relationships and holds particular importance in romantic relationships. Refraining from touching a partner even when walking is expected, as it would be seen as risqué behavior that many cultural communities would view unfavorably or with scorn.
In general, showing respect through restraint and exercising caution when engaging with another person’s personal space are the best ways to demonstrate proper public behavior in Tunisia’s culture and customs. Further, couples should remember that kissing or sexual behavior in public areas is illegal by law. Failure to comply will result in repercussions such as possible fines or jail time, depending on the situation.
Gift Giving
Gift-giving is an essential part of Tunisian culture and is wildly appreciated when visiting friends or family of different ages. It is customary to bring something small to the host’s house, such as chocolates, nuts, or flowers. Regarding children, toys or books are seen as suitable gifts.
It is essential to acknowledge the gift-giving customs of the country you visit and learn more about the culture and etiquette.
Appropriate Gifts
In Tunisia, gift-giving is an essential act of hospitality and friendship. When invited for a meal or entertainment, one should bring flowers for the hostess and a small gift for each person present. In addition, getting sweets, chocolates, cakes, or small pastries made from dates is generally a safe choice. Bottles of alcoholic beverages or craft items such as hand-woven baskets can also be appropriate.
Gifts are usually opened when received. General guidelines for gifts in Tunisia usually include being mindful of the gender of the recipient, but ultimately it is best to inquire before purchasing items. Men often appreciate tools, books, and whiskey bottles, while women may enjoy ornamented scarves and clothing items such as gloves or shawls. Local souvenirs such as handcrafted jewelry pieces with silver or gold inlay are a lovely gesture that may come with added significance if they have Islamic motifs such as crescents and stars, so it’s best to make sure what you’re buying is appropriate before purchase.
Gift Wrapping
Gift-giving is integral to Tunisian culture, and how gifts are presented is very important. When giving a gift, it should be wrapped in colorful paper and presented with both hands. It is considered polite to offer gifts to the host or the oldest person in the family first, followed by others individually. Gifts should not be cheap, as this might be an insult.
Gifts for Children – Children in Tunisia enjoy receiving stuffed animals, educational materials such as books or puzzles, or toys like dolls or cars. Make sure that any toy given is appropriate for their age group and has all required safety precautions taken into account.
Gifts for Adults – Some items may not seem suitable but might be very useful to members of a Tunisian household. These include kitchenware from higher-end foreign brands, perfumes, cologne from high-end labels, pocket calendars with local scenery, and art prints featuring local themes. In addition, men may appreciate tools for their hobbies (knives for culinary chopping or carving tools). Other items might include clothing, such as culturally-inspired scarves that can add elegance to any wardrobe item.
Language
In Tunisia, the local language is Arabic, but many people also speak French. Arabic is the national language, and most business transactions are in French. Therefore, it is essential to respect the local customs and language and try to learn the basics of Arabic and French if you are traveling to Tunisia.
Let’s explore some of the other cultural customs and etiquette in Tunisia:
Arabic
The official language of Tunisia is Arabic, a Semitic language closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. Among the Berbers of Tunisia, even more closely associated dialects that had survived for centuries are still used today. The standardized literary dialect of Arabic is called Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), written in the script called an abjad.
Tunisian Arabic (TA) is the spoken form of the language often used in daily conversation and media annotations, while those engaged in formal dialogue, such as public figures and diplomats, use MSA. TA often includes French vocabulary words; due to French presence in Tunisia for many years, it is estimated that up to 15% of colloquial terms are borrowings from French. Not only has much been borrowed from other languages, but also Tunisian has developed its own set of slang expressions known as ‘Tunisian and Maghrebi’ vernacular – also occasionally referred to as ‘Darija.’ This variety changes dynamically with urbanization.
French
French is the more visual language in Tunisia and is the dominant language of government, banking, and higher education. In addition, many learned Tunisians can converse in French due to its heavy usage by nationals and foreigners. Tunisia proclaimed Arabic as its only official language, but French has also been declared an official language for communication and a medium of instruction in schools teaching scientific subjects.
Most printed material is typically issued in Arabic and French, including most books, magazines, and newspapers. Schools are either francophone or arabophone and instruct students with the same curriculum taught mainly in either French or Arabic. Francophones attend school from primary through high school, learning only French, whereas Arabophones learn all their educational material only in Arabic, starting at age 5 (Kindergarten). The Tunisian universities’ curriculum includes many English or Franco-English translation courses.
French remains one of the most essential languages due to Tunisia’s long-time relationship with France as well as other countries that share the use of this language, such as:
- Switzerland
- Belgium
- Canada
- Luxemburg
- Many other former colonies located across Africa
Foreign tourists will find that staff members speak English at hotels throughout Tunisia; however, outside city centers, finding someone who speaks English fluently may be challenging.