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In Tunisia,
everything is popular that has been bought abroad, specifically in
Europe - regardless of
whether an item have been less expensive, of a better quality, or was
even really produced in Europe.
Among the most popular gifts for Tunisians are chocolate
(German, Belgian, Swiss), clothing (t-shirt, jeans, etc.) and the
latest electronic devices (cell / mobile / portable phones, DVD
players, computers, etc.).
For
women, it is all types of cosmetics (lipstick, eyeshadow, powder,
cream,
etc.) and for children tyos of all kinds.
Men appreciate cigarettes and
alcohol.
Even if someone has absolutely no use for an object, it still
has a high value and can be given, sold or traded to family and
friends.
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Gifts are
considered less a personal "treasure" as in many
western countries, but also will be assessed according to their use
and exchange value as well.
Many tourists are irritated when a gift will, after a few
weeks, no longer be in the possession of the recipient - or has been
passed on to family members or friends, but this is not
necessarily a sign of disrespect, but rather a normal behavior.
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The
person who recives a gift does usually not worry
about whether the person who made the gift had to save long for it,
it assumes that a gift is only made when it can be afforded, and,
accordingly, there is not really a significant difference
between a
"big", expensive and a small, inexpensive gift.
Gifts are usually unwrapped in the presence of the donor (other than in
some
Asian countries where gifts are unwrapped when a person is alone), but
without displaying too much emotional response, or only for a very
short while.
In summary,
presents in Tunisia have a different meaning than in many western
countries and one could get the impression that a gift is not
really "appreciated". |
