Current Time in HoumtSouk(djerba)
Tunisian culture regarding time
Tunisian culture regarding time
Flexible attitude toward promised time
In Tunisia, there is a culture that accepts a little delay in promised time. It is not uncommon for things not to proceed on time, and people often operate on the assumption that they will be a little late.
Longer lunch break
In Tunisia, it is common to take a longer break after lunch. Especially in hot seasons, people tend to refrain from work during the daytime, and shops and government offices may close temporarily in the early afternoon.
Tendency for activity to increase after the evening
To avoid the heat of the day, people become more active from the evening to the night. Markets, cafes, and restaurants also become lively from the evening.
Tunisian values regarding time
Time sense that values human relationships
People tend to value the importance of human relationships more than time, and even if a conversation or relationship lasts long, they do not consider it a waste of time. Even in business situations, building trusting relationships may take priority over time management.
Flexibility and leisure are valued
Rather than being pressed for time, it is preferred to be flexible in changing plans and act with leisurely time. In some cases, people are more likely to have a good impression of someone who is calm and relaxed than someone who is in a hurry.
Time management based on religious events
Life rhythms are created based on Islamic prayer times (five times a day), and the culture of adjusting work and private life in between prayer times has taken root.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or moving to Tunisia
Don't expect too much precision in time
Public transport timetables and business start times are only a guideline and are often delayed. Taxis and buses do not always depart and arrive at scheduled times, so you need to be on time.
Beware of business closures in the afternoon
Many shops and restaurants have the habit of closing temporarily after lunch, so if you plan to go shopping or run errands in the afternoon, it is important to check their opening hours.
Time perception changes during Ramadan
During the fasting month of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, daytime activity decreases and many people start moving around at night. Note that many facilities change their opening hours during this period.
Interesting trivia about time in Tunisia
The region's unique leisurely pace as "Maghrebi time"
In the Maghreb region (North Africa), including Tunisia, there is a culture that assumes "not being strict" about time, and many people believe that "it is normal to be a little late".
Weddings last all night
In Tunisia, it is common for weddings to last from the night until late at night or even dawn. Since music and dancing continue until late at night, it is an event where you can feel that the sense of time is very different from Japan.
Prayer times create the rhythm of the day
Islamic prayers called "Fajr (dawn)", "Zuhr (midday)", "Asr (afternoon)", "Maghrib (sunset)" and "Isha (night)" naturally become the standard of time in our daily lives.