Scared Of Tunisia

[HW Jan.C]

People will say how they found Tunisia themselves (honestly), some people will have bad experiences wherever they go on holiday, you take it as you find it,You have never felt threatened and I am pleased about that, not everyone will be as lucky as you are. I spoke to lots of holidaymakers when we were there, some had a fantastic time shopping and loved it. I myself hated it, at one point a shop owner grabbed my arm to make me go into his shop, no he wasnt being over friendly, then a child of 9 or 10 tried to give me flowers demanding money from me.It really was not a nice experience, in all of my years holidaying all over the place I have not felt threatened until Tunisia. This is my view only and my opinion only, maybe not shared with everyone who goes there, but I am being honest,
jan

[Gringy]

Chelsea Blue, i am pleased that you find tunisia to be such a nice place and return there on numerous occasions, different people have different experiences and here are mine and are the reasons why i would never step foot in this country again, as i posted previously, it was the middle of feb but even so..

During the day my g/f and i had to visit the local pharmacy, we asked directions to the nearest one from an english lady who worked in the hotel where we were staying, the nearest one was a ten minute walk from the hotel.
We left the hotel and made our way towards it passing a few of the local cafe's where the locals sit and drink tea (I think!). As we approached one of these bars a number of local's came out onto the path that we were walking along hissing at us and saying "Hissssss, Englisssshhh" and spitting on the floor in front of us.
We ignored them and carried on with our journey to the pharmacy, bought our goods, got in a taxi back to the hotel, no harm was done but not a very nice holiday experience.

The next was the middle of the day too when we chose to walk the 15minute walk to the centre of our resort, there were shops that we were browsing along the way, a very freindly chap came out of one of them and chatted to us pointing out all the goods he has for sale and prices etc, he enticed us inside the shop where he managed to be in the position where we had to walk through him to get out, if and when we wanted to, the door was closed and a dog lay in front of the door, hard sell i can cope with, hard intimidation i dont want on a holiday, again, we got out, got a taxi back to the hotel and no real harm was done.

As the day came to an end and the sky was getting darker (still light though) we walked the short distance from our hotel to the telephone boxes at the end of the road, when we came out of the hotel there were several groups of locals walking towards us on either side of the road, we continued and when we passed the first bunch one of the men squeezed my g/f's bottom, we turned around quickly and went straight back into the hotel.

On an organised coach trip we had a guide, he was tunisian and like me a smoker, everytime the oppurtunity arose for a quick cigerette break there would be me and this guide smoking and having a general conversation.
The guide had no problems in telling me how much the tunisian people hated the english, how the english language wasnt for the english but for the americans and how much more they hated the americans.. what do you say? agree with him, argue with him... why was someone with this attitude taking a coachful of english people around the area?

Ok, no one was hurt etc in all these incidents, the tunisians may be poor and need money but these incidents have stopped me and i am sure many others from spending, over a 2 week period, anything upto �1000 there.

[HW Jan.C]

"I am amazed at some of these postings trying to convince people that they should be on their guard concerning their safety when visiting Tunisia. I have been visiting Tunisia for well over thirty years and can honestly say that I have never been frightened or accosted by any Tunisian when out at night. Yes, they will come up to you and talk to you and this might include asking for a Dinar (never forget how poor they are) but a polite refusal and letting them know you don't really want to know or go with them anywhere to buy anything will result in them going away. I would feel more scared visiting my local town on a Friday or Saturday night." --- Chelsea Blue

Not trying to "convince" anyone, Stating the facts as far as I am concerned in my own words and my own opinions.

[souzan]

please dont argue its a holiday place and some people will like it and some not, not everything suits everyone

[Chelsea Blue]

"please dont argue its a holiday place and some people will like it and some not, not everything suits everyone" --- souzan



We're not arguing Souzan just having a healthy debate where different people who have had different experiences are stating their point of view. That's what the forums are here for. And it gives a good cross-section of people's views. I love Tunisia and some people don't. I have no problem with that.

[missholiday2006]

I am amused to read your posting. Firstly, why book a holiday in Tunisia and then do the research afterwards? Secondly, if you have never been to Tunisia before how can you possibly make this sort of statement: then I do worry of what the Tunisians are like I've been to turkey but this sounds worse!

I think that it's dreadful that you would say something like that? Do yourself a favour and go and experience it for yourself and then make the above sweeping comment if you think it's appropriate!!!

P.S I have heard that the odd Tunisian's do occasionally eat the tourist's for lunch!!

[cloudy]

I had heard stories before I went out to Tunisia. One from a two ladies who went out and found the staring too much. The second from a chinese guy married to a scottish lady and once again they complained of people staring at them. While it is not nice to be stared at in both these situations in a foreign country we decided it was not unusual. eg two women on their own will attract attention as would the couple in a mixed marraige probably be more noticeable in Tunisia than in Britain. The ladies said they would not go back and the guy said he would still go back. So two similar situations with different results.

[HW Jan.C]

It is each to their own, what some people look for from a holiday destination, may not be to everyones taste, this is why this site is so useful you can get lots of points of view from all walks of life and it does give you the general idea of the place. Take it how you find it and go with the flow,make the most of the time you have away
Plus most important, Please DO leave us reviews good or bad, it does help other people who are looking for a holiday.
jan

[kerri_26]

thanx everyone for their posts but i`m a little more worried now after reading them,some of them have said exactly what i`m thinking.. ..i think i`m just gonna change my destination to somewhere i feel comfotable with.:thumleft:

[HW Jan.C]

I would go with the flow and stay with your booking, As I keep saying holidays are a personal thing, what some like others really dislike and it is each to their own.You may love Tunisia many people do and go back year after year.
jan