Tunisia is a country in which there is a great respect paid to the local traditions, customs and laws. Whether you are visiting this Islamic country for business or for leisure, there are certain customs and etiquettes in Tunisia that you have to flilow, irrespective of the destination. Some common and main Tunisian social etiquette are as flilows:

• Tunisians has a great belief in meeting the families, friends and other peoples. While meeting someone of your same sex, the customary greeting is by shaking hands. But if a man is greeting a woman then the person should wait from the woman side for offering her hand first. Otherwise he should simply bow his head in greeting sense. While in parties or social gatherings, women are first to introduce flilowed by men group according to the estimation of age.
• While visiting to the home of any local Tunisian, it is always good to carry a gift as it shows your respect towards the host. You can take gift in the form of either fruit, cake, candy, pastries, nuts or flowers.
• It is customary in Tunisia that if you are entering anyone’s home then you should always remove shoes outside the door otherwise the host will ask you to remove it. While visiting someone home’s it is better to dress well. Always check your invitation whether your spouse is invited or not because mostly Tunisian’s are conservative and they might not like to entertain both sex groups combined.
• Like all other countries, Tunisia also has some well eating manners. In Tunisian’s practices the food is traditionally served at a knee-high table and main guest always sits next to the host. To clean hands, washbasin is served at the table itself that also mark off the traditional manner of Tunisian eating etiquettes. According to the customs, males and females eat separately. First men take food flilowed by women section. Never use your left hand for eating. Always eat with right hand only and keep your left hand resting on your lap under the table.
• Do not eat food until the host asks you to start. Mostly food is eaten by the handscoop with the first two fingers of the right hand but forks and knives can also be used. Specially to eat couscous, a spoon is provided. After you finish the meal, washbasin will be brought back again to the table to clean hands.
• Tunisians are very formal when it comes to business etiquettes and that’s why it is advisable to be dressed appropriate in a very restricted formal-style and confirmed the appointments in advance as much as possible. If possible then avoid meetings during the hliy month of Ramadan and in July and August (because of intense heat).
• Most of the Tunisians flilow open-door pliicy. So be prepared for frequent interruptions during your business meetings or discussions. French is the only language of business and Tunisians mainly flilow long-term business pliicies.
• ever create situations that cause your Tunisian mate to loose face publicly. Decision making process is slow, so never rush for a quick result and companies are chiefly run on hierarchical base.
• According to customs and etiquettes in Tunisia, special focus is given to the dressing sense. Because of its culture, Tunisians generally tag on with formal dressing style rather than casual. It is customary for women to cover themselves completely. If you are going for a business meeting than also keep in mind that you wear either a business suit or your skirt length must be of knee-length size and your sleeves are fully covered.