Tunisia
Business meetings are somewhat formal and suit and tie are generally expected. Arabic and French are the most widely used languages in business circles and knowledge of either is useful. Many Tunisians also speak German, Italian and English. Interpreter services are available. Appointments are required. Office hours are 0800-1230 and 1430-1800 Monday to Friday (winter) and 0800-1300 Monday to Saturday (summer). Government office opening hours may vary by half an hour.
Tunisia has a moderate crime rate in urban areas. Criminals have targeted tourists and business travelers for thefts, pickpocketings, and scams. Care should be taken with wallets and other valuables kept in handbags or backpacks that can be easily opened from behind in crowded streets or marketplaces. Harassment of unaccompanied females occurs rarely in hotels, but it occurs more frequently elsewhere. Dressing in a conservative manner can diminish potential harassment, but it is wise to travel in groups of two or more. Violent crime is rare, but it is not unknown.
Visitors to the Medina (Old City) in Tunis visitors should beware of professional "guides," usually young men or boys who approach tourists with excessive friendliness, insist on showing them the sites, and then demand tips. Buying anything in a shop with a guide in tow will entail a merchant adding a "commission" for the guide.
Police are generally quite professional. The police emergency number is 197, but it is often out of service and callers must speak Arabic or French to be understood.
Tunisia has plentiful and comfortable hotels, including many business and international-class accommodations. Most business people stay at the Tunis Hilton, al-Mechtel Abou Nawas Hotel or the Meridien. All offer acceptable security and comfort. There are also several vacation villages within each area of the country.
Expatriate housing is very comfortable, although prices have been rising. Houses in the Tunis neighborhoods of Mutuelleville, Notre Dame, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, La Soukra, La Marsa, and Gammarth are comparable to or better than many suburban North American or European communities.
Full telephone IDD service is available. The country code is 216 and the outgoing international code is 00. Automatic dialing extends to almost every part of the country and covers direct international calls. Area codes for major cities and towns are Tunis 1, Bizerta and Menzel Bourguiba 2, Sousse 3, Gabès 5, Kairouan 7. Fax facilities are available in main towns. Access to high-quality telecommunications services, particularly high-speed / high-capacity data transmission and the Internet, however, is limited and expensive. International telephone rates dropped significantly in 1997, however, and the government licensed the first two private companies to provide Internet access -- the latter move spurring an exponential growth in local subscribers. Post office hours are normally 0800-1300 Monday to Saturday but varies according to the season.
Electricity is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. A 2-pin continental plug/adapter is needed.
220/110 volts AC, 50Hz. A two-pin continental plug/adaptor is needed.
C,E
Tunisian food is well prepared and delicious. Tunisian dishes are cooked with olive oil, spiced with aniseed, coriander, cumin, caraway, cinnamon or saffron and flavored with mint, orange blossom or rose water. Restaurants catering for tourists tend to serve rather bland dishes and 'international' cuisine, and visitors are advised to try the smaller restaurants. Prices vary enormously, and higher prices do not necessarily mean better meals. Tunis and the main cities also have French, Italian and other international restaurants. Self-service may sometimes be found but table service is more common.
Moorish cafes, with their traditional decor, serve excellent Turkish coffee.
Things to know: Although Tunisia is an Islamic country, alcohol is not prohibited. Tunisia produces a range of excellent table wines, sparkling wines, beers, aperitifs and local liqueurs.National specialties
• Dorado (bream).
• Couscous.
• Tajine (a fish dish).
• Brik or brik à l'oeuf (egg and a tasty filling fried in an envelope of pastry). National drinks
• Mint tea with pine nuts.
• Boukha (wine, distilled from figs).
• Thibarine (wine). Tipping:
10 per cent for all services.Nightlife
In Tunisia, the theater season lasts from October to June when local and foreign (especially French) companies put on productions and concerts. International groups appear at the Tunis Theater and in the towns of Hammamet and Sousse. There are numerous cinemas in the larger cities. There are nightclubs in the major tourist resorts and at most beach hotels, as well as in the big city hotels. Belly dancing is a common cabaret feature and lively local bands often play traditional music. Casinos are also availabe in Tunis, Yasmine, Hammamet, Sousse and Djerba.
