Every society
has its socially absolutely not acceptable
things, also known as "Taboos" and these usually refer to a religious
or
traditional background. In Tunisia, taboos include in particular:
Sexual
intercourse of a non-muslim man with a muslim woman
There are a few Tunisian
women, who are married to non-muslim men
and there are even more who had, for example, sexual intercourse with
tourists.
However, compared to the number of all women in tunisia, the number of
such "offenders" is small.
Both is tolerated by many tunisian women and by the more
educated
people, but it still is socially not really accepted (and completely
forbidden by the religion).
Tunisian
men, especially those of lower to medium edcuation levels,
will often openly show their displease and even issue insults when they
notice such a couple in the public
Consumption of pork products
Although there
are numerous Tunisians that have eaten such products already more or
less knowingly (such as in imported chocolate or fruit
gums with pig gelatin), and
although there are some who even deliberately, but covertly,
eat them (salami, ham, steak), it is an absolute
taboo for the vast majority of Tunisians, which triggers
usually disgust. |
You can see here and there homosexual couples in the
public, but this is a very rare occurence and bears a definite
risk, because it
is prohibited by law
and it is not socially accepted. It is, however, practiallly possible,
since it is not unusual for persons of the same gender to live in the
same apartment - as long as they are the same nationality. As soon as
such a couple consists of a westerner and a Tunisian, though, it might
trigger suspicioun.
Incest
Incest in Tunisia is involvement of persons of the same family to the
1st and 2nd degree of relation. This incest is forbidden by law.
3rd grade (eg. cousins) and higher relations incest, however, is even
amongst the most preferred and accepted relations in traditonal Tunisia
and happens often in arranged marriages.
With direct incest, certain combinations are, even though
allowed by law, often not socially
accepted, such as relations with close relatives of the wife or the
husband.
Sexual acts in public
This includes public kissing, more than casual touching
of body parts and, for many, especially older residents,
even the holding of hands.
At least outside the
tourist zones and "international" domestic regions of the big cities,
one should refrain from any such behaviour, because it is likely that
it will result in vociferous protests or
even the questioning/arresting by the police.
In the tourist zones, the
lighter forms of the above examples are tolerated, when performed by
tourists,
but even then one might face sometimes infuriated people.
|
Entering sacred sites by
non-Muslims
Entering the inner parts
of a mosque and even most of the entire premises by non-Muslims is not
allowed. If you want to enter a mosque or take
photographs, you should first strictly and explicitly verify that this
is allowed to avoid any disputes.
Agitation against State or State
organs
Both is
in Tunisia punishable. In the eyes of most
people, it is not really a taboo, but fo the geovernment, it certainly
is.
One
should, therefore, be particularly careful in voicing negative comments
about the State or the
President, and refrain from any derogatory actions against the
flag or the currency of Tunisia.
Policemen in Tunisia are persons of respect - by law. Any action
against them, even not following their orders, is punishable, at least
one will be arrested and questioned.
On the other hand, a firm approach to the police is sometimes needed -
here, a tourist must try carefully, and from case to case, to
find the right path between absolute obedience and open rebellion.
However, any attempts to bribe
officials, as appealing it might be and as successful it probably will
be, must be strongly discouraged, if one does not want to make
himself the target for ever growing demands and desires. |
