Avoid scams in HAMMAMET, Tunisia - is it worth visiting this city? الحمامات التونسية

Hi everyone! This is episode four of my Tunisia series (and effectively "Part B" of my Hammamet videos) where I explore Hammamet further.
In particular, I visit some shops in the medina where I meet the shopkeepers and engage with them. In the first shop, the shopkeeper takes me to the rooftop where I enjoy a view of Hammamet and where I learn about the difficulties traders face in the winter season when there are less tourists.
In the second shop, I spend a little more time bargaining with the shopkeeper - will I be successful?
After doing some shopping, I go for a stroll in the various alleys of the medina where I give further comments on my impressions of the city. I also meet a local man who encourages me to make "good publicity" in Tunisia, after which I find my way to another vantage point overlooking the city.
Finally, I give my views on whether you should visit Tunisia in general and Hammamet in particular.
Hope you enjoy! Please hit the LIKE and SUBSCRIBE buttons if you haven't already - it really helps this channel to grow!

[@willieexplore]

Hi everyone! Please help out this channel by hitting the LIKE and SUBSCRIBE buttons, if you haven't already - much appreciated! Hope you're enjoying this Tunisia series - as always, I'd like to hear your feedback so please leave a comment too!

[@kixoup]

welcome

[@willieexplore]

@@kixoup Thank you very much!

[@annewhite5442]

The lovely man who showed you his terrace has been in that shop for over 20 years ! I cried when I saw Lotfi . Such a great man and a nice shop

[@willieexplore]

Oh wow Anne so glad that the video brought back some great memories! An absolute gentleman he is - he even taught me a few words of Arabic and genuinely made me feel welcome not just in his shop but also the city

[@annewhite5442]

Yes, he’s lovely and kind. He makes you feel like buying things in his shop . He doesn’t hassle you and used to give my son a present . I’ve been to Tunisia 21 times as I love it there. I’m going back next May after 12 years away 😊

[@willieexplore]

@@annewhite5442 21 times - wow! Would be very interesting to hear your perspectives on how much have changed after your last visit 12 years ago. And it sounds like you have a soft spot for Hammamet - I definitely have!

[@annewhite8640]

I’ll be glad to let you know when I return. I can already see there are a lot more fast food outlets , cafes and restaurants and pet supplies in the stores from what I’ve seen online. I think people have more money to go out to socialise and to buy a pet since the Revolution….it’s good to see. We got locked in the Kasbah one evening when my son was small, we were a bit scared but got let out when the security guard heard our screams 😂 When you go back you must visit the kasbah, the views are amazing

[@jayceontalylor4244]

@anne white, just out of curiosity may i know your origins ? i would like to love back your country as much as you do for Tunisia :P

[@hollyblanchfield8175]

Me and my boyfriend have been over bargained our previous two first holidays. This is really an eye opener to the hustle. We are going Tunisia hammamet in 2 days. We are from the UK. I will know how to handle respectfully and calmly now, thank you for the video.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching and commenting Holly! I am sure you will have a fascinating time in beautiful Tunisia, but it is important to expect what I showed in this video as well. Safe travels!

[@StayStrong86]

I respect the way how u delt with the seller bro! You obviously understand its taff time for them.

[@willieexplore]

Absolutely my friend, even though I was not very excited about the product, I thought it was the right thing to support him (at what I thought was a fair price).

[@StayStrong86]

@@willieexplore will done mate! Keep the work up

[@annewhite5442]

Yes, that’s just it , they need our money to live . What’s a couple of pounds to us ?

[@willieexplore]

@@annewhite5442 for sure

[@sheilam4525]

This was a masterclass in how to deal with a hard sell, well done, I would have crumbled😂. As you said, the locals are so proud of their country and that really comes across.

[@willieexplore]

It was a tough negotiation and, to be honest, I didn't really want to buy anything, but went through with it anyway. But it shows you how high some of the sellers start...

[@klawlor3659]

Fantastic haggling pal, top class there lad😊

[@willieexplore]

Cheers for watching! Hope it gives you an idea of what to expect in Tunisia.

[@marygird7715]

Excellent vlog Willie, I would be scared of terrace, no railings and scared of heights

[@willieexplore]

Thanks Mary, I did not even think about that, but you are right. Could have turned out very differently. Tunisia is a great place to go travelling though, probably one of my favourite places to vlog!

[@marygird7715]

@@willieexploreYou're very brave to do out of the ordinary tours of hidden parts. The other vlog of Tunisia on the coast reminded me a bit of a greek feel to it that residential area painted white with the blue with all the cats a lot like Myconos. The closest I will get to that is Langebaan lol

[@willieexplore]

@@marygird7715 some parts of Tunisia certainly feels like a bit of Greece carved out and put at the Northern tip of the African continent. Or Langebaan for that matter yes!

[@marygird7715]

@@willieexploreThanks Willie I have watched all your travel vlogs Are you still going to vlog more of India?😄

[@marygird7715]

@@willieexplore Maybe the influence is from past Greek inhabitants to the area

[@mayousimon1]

Brilliant especially for shopping!

[@willieexplore]

Lots of interesting markets!

[@marwen2410]

@@willieexplore we can play tennis together

[@Flex-yg6lj]

Oh man the guy selling hats seriously tried to scam you hard lol. Those hats normally cost around 10 TND (Tunisian Dinars) which is around 2.60 GBP. They basically see tourists as walking cash. Not to mention the bracelet where he tried to sell it for 80 dinars lmao. As a Tunisian, I could buy around 8 pieces with that price. It was a rip off.

[@willieexplore]

Bless him, he was pushing a hard sale. I knew he would start very high!

[@keon6717]

Nice video. Do they sell tea leaves in the medinas of Hammamet or Tunis?

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching! You know what, I could not remember if they did! Hopefully someone else can help us out...

[@bhathiyadissanayake68]

I bought pair of nike joggers from Medina . Seller wanted 150 dinar for it. At the end we settled for 50 dinar. What a price different. Next time I am going to ask for it even cheaper than that.

[@willieexplore]

It is worth bargaining when they start so high!

[@bradsigsworth7973]

Hi. Can I ask what camera you use for your content?

[@willieexplore]

Sure, a GoPro. Hope this helps :)

[@bradsigsworth7973]

Thank you

[@moklking1731]

I bought very good spices, magazine le pacha😀

[@willieexplore]

Some excellent produce to buy in Tunisia, that's for sure :)

[@kacembenbrahim8272]

omg the sellers made me uncomfortable even though im Tunisian 😭😭

[@willieexplore]

They can be quite intense but it's all part of the experience :) Thanks for watching!

[@Addamprochazka]

Hi friend Im in Hammamet right now could you answear my few questions?

[@toscabrutus1781]

Willie goeie program weereens.. Groete.

[@willieexplore]

Hier kan jy sien wat om te verwag as 'n toeris in sekere areas. Vriendelike mense maar hulle sal besigheid wil doen. Hammamet was wonderlik!

[@GXG66]

Im tunisian and tbh i dont like it when the sellers invites me in or try to show me something because why the heck will i buy something what i dont want . ( thats one of the reasons i hate going shopping there )

[@willieexplore]

They can be a bit persistent but they have to sell their stuff somehow :)

[@baneksebastijan4067]

Hahaha, i have been so many times in this first shop. Thanks for video.

[@willieexplore]

Cheers Banek! Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching :)

[@venum7603]

its sad m tunisian and i know they wanna sell , and the are no longer able too , but i dont like the way they force , if someone want something he will check and get it , m sry for that ,

[@willieexplore]

They can be very persistent and you need to have a thick skin when negotiating with them. No need to be sorry my friend, there are two parties involved in every economic transaction and as a buyer I was happy with the price I paid :)

[@Sherirose1]

I love the Medina but I never buy anything unless I'm with my local friend who bargain. They even try to get him into their price hike. 😂🤣 He would translate to me. 😂. I go to souk, eat the local food, and enjoy off beaten tracks.

[@willieexplore]

It can be an overwhelming experience for buyers, that is for sure!

[@Ridha-hv4ic]

Bro about the candy u bought, it's 1.5DT not 10DT. Obviously they scamed u. Sorry for that

[@willieexplore]

No worries my friend, not the first time I got a rough deal ;)

[@marwen2410]

How find you hammamet

[@willieexplore]

Fantastic place! Friendly people, beautiful seafront and interesting markets. Hope to be back one day!

[@marwen2410]

@@willieexplore where are you from

[@willieexplore]

@@marwen2410 South Africa but live in England

[@marwen2410]

@@willieexplore are you visit tennis club hammamet

[@willieexplore]

@@marwen2410 unfortunately not my friend, didn't know about the tennis club. Are you playing there?

[@annasplace5417]

Siamo stati nel suo negozio, con visita della terrazza. Non fate i genovesi, comprate qualcosa. Persona stupenda!

[@willieexplore]

Dankie dat jy my videos kyk, ek waardeer dit baie!

[@cravenr1]

Top seller!

[@willieexplore]

Cheers for watching :)

[@cravenr1]

@@willieexplore i was in his shop last week! Showed the roof terras as well

[@willieexplore]

@@cravenr1 ahh fantastic! Hope he is doing well

[@cravenr1]

@@willieexplore he was doing fantastic

[@Matrix-bn5qn]

Franchement tu veux acheter le bracelet avec 5 dinars c est honteux le dinar a beaucoup chuter avec tu bois un café je suis d accord que vous marchander mais faut pas être trop radin non plus bonne vacances 🇹🇳✌️

[@willieexplore]

I did not even want the bracelet but supported him anyway. Do you think it was fair that he started at 85? There are two parties to any economic transaction and he was willing to sell it. He even tried to sell me another one at 5 Dinar afterwards

[@act_sion]

C'est aussi honteux d'arnaquer les touristes et de profiter de leurs ignorances. Pas étonnant que certains touristes ne font plus confiance certains locaux et vendeurs . Ça marche dans les 2 sens ! Les touristes ne sont pas des banques ambulantes .

[@act_sion]

C'est aussi honteux de demander 85 pour finalement à accepter 7 dinars .

[@9grand]

Et pourquoi juste donner un prix honnête ?!,

[@ziadmamlouk]

Fun fact: When they realise that you are Tunisian, there will be no more discussion.

[@willieexplore]

True! Thanks for watching

[@mkdujs_kkek]

Lotfi best seller in Hammamet and his friendly, I know him from long time

[@willieexplore]

A very nice person! Thanks for watching and supporting my channel :)

[@m.a.238]

Your channel is underrated as you're making great videos.I like the way you tried to see the real locals behind the back walls and as a Tunisian I can't believe how safe it is to wander around in those narrow streets , I'm sure you can't do that in mexico , Brazil, india or even south Africa where crime rate is really high. As for the vendor who tried to scam you , that's typical about tourist destinations. It's a common thing that usually happens, but I liked your price negotiation strategy .Thanks for the video.

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much for a great comment M.A., I really value it and I'm delighted that you enjoy my content. I had a wonderful time in your country. Re the street vendors - I actually don't blame them for going in as high as they do, they want to make a living but at the same time I don't feel guilty for negotiating hard. I felt very safe in Tunisia overall - perhaps there were parts of Bizerte where people were a bit sceptical of the camera - but had no issues whatsoever in Hammamet. Cheers for watching and engaging!

[@faresfares-cu7kh]

as a tunisien i feel a shame from my people . sorryy broo

[@willieexplore]

Please don't feel ashamed! At the end of the day, they are trying to sell their goods and make a living. Tough times for everyone. I was never going to pay the high price and bargained hard but ultimately bought something, which I think was the right thing to do :)

[@faresfares-cu7kh]

@@willieexplore well said brother may god bless u

[@edouardsiquet144]

Omg.....Now I understand why I do not wanna go to Tunisia anymore.....What a circus for junk bracelet....

[@willieexplore]

I don't blame them...they need to make a living. A great place to visit :)

[@edouardsiquet144]

@@willieexplore Of course but you do not have to haggle in Greece or Bulgaria

[@MsTilda2]

To much assel trying to grab tourists, its horrible and take the charme of this great city

[@willieexplore]

Part of the experience mon ami!

[@MsTilda2]

@@willieexplore thanks, but no thanks, prefre Nabeul north, 😉

[@marob9384]

Dont feel obligat to by ..just say no and walk away u more talk to them more they try hard..

[@willieexplore]

That is true, great advice! Thanks for watching :)

[@ruteniskairiukstis197]

Love to haggle with them all the time,they just mad after my prices😂😂😂they used to call me Alibaba

[@willieexplore]

Never take their first offer! Cheers for watching :)

[@Graz69able]

Not bad but not all Brits stay in resort ...😅😅😅

[@willieexplore]

Haha that is true :) Cheers for watching!

[@foozeball]

This dishonesty is not even a joke , 85 to 12 dinar and then 10 , who ever you have charged extra hope you choke on every dinar

[@willieexplore]

Nah they always start high, but it shows how low they are actually willing to settle

[@ak-mkofficial1151]

This is absolutely abhorrent behavior. As someone who's been to Hammamet 12+ times and who comes back every single year, this was borderline disrespectful. The second guy is trying to make a living and haggling is a NORMAL part of the Tunisian experience, but you have absolutely zero respect for these people's times. Do you know how much they earn per month ? Do you understand he could have made other sales while you wasted his time to get "content" that YOU profit off of. He is absolutely right, 5 dinars barely get you a coffee and you're out there making his life miserable for that amount ? You use their faces online, categorize them as "scammers" and waste their time and money while they are struggling to even get by. I can't even begin to describe how disgusting and exploitative this is. If you're not interested JUST SAY SO. Why waste his time, telling him this looks nice, asking for the price and then coming up with a bs excuse that it can't fit in your luggage. You made the interaction last as long as possible to get as much content as you can FOR FREE and then didn't even bother paying him fairly even if just for his time... I can't wait to go back to Tunisia and meet these amazing people, i have no respect for """"content tourists"""" who only come to exploit the local population and make their lives miserable.

[@willieexplore]

Oh yeah? It takes two to tango buddy. Every economic transaction has a buyer and a seller. So you think it is ok for sellers to exploit tourists by starting with a high price? Behave yourself on my channel.

[@QUIZ_FOOTBOOLL_2023]

The goal of distorting Tunisia, dog

[@willieexplore]

What do you mean?