°µÍø½ûÇø

Somewhat - welcome....and now a ramble myself.

I'm a liberal atheist married to a practising Catholic. There is a service at the church on Friday morning. She doesn't go, ever. Her choice and a good one since the police like to hang around there and arrest people. Colour and religion adds fuel to the fire.

Just imagine that you're in a southern bible bashing state in your country. If you wouldn't think about thinking about it in good ole Bam, then definately don't in Libya.

Modesty for ladies a big yes - unless you have a point to prove, which you won't win - you'll save yourself a lot of hassle. Grim and bear it, and give yourself a kiss for being pretty.

Your second to last paragraph. Save it for home. Libya has moral standards to show to the rest of the world.

Sandman6 wrote:

Your second to last paragraph. Save it for home. Libya has moral standards to show to the rest of the world.

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SomewhatCrunchy, you're looking to learn about traditions more than laws. Laws and their interpretations vary widely in Libya.

What I'm mainly looking for is anything "different" that we could do without thinking and inadvertently cause issue

Dare I ask: are you white? How you look will make a difference in what "laws" would apply to you, and a huge difference in how your actions are received. I mean far more than you ever thought possible backk home.

Google wont tell you to expect outright discrimination (starting from the blue square on car plates), to not expect any civility in public places, and that you'll undergo a LOT of blatant staring. Each and every Libyan male you'll interact with will hit on you (if not worse)...well, not that bad, but very, very close.

Do not expect storekeeper or cab driver to have enough change.
Do accept plastic bag offered by storekeeper who keeps baton in store. what else...Oh, and handshake men with caution.

Few of us get their HR dept to sort the nasty bits out, others work for Libyan companies, so no probs.

Do not, ever, get in a moral debate with Libyan law-enforcement. They are often illiterate (some didn't finish grade school)

All in all, I think Libya isn't yet a good place for a female. However, if you want a plain canvas on which your creative soul could paint a pretty figure, then it's worth the tremendous sacrifice and painful struggle. I think. And even though you won't end up nailed to two-by-fours or fed to lions, your faith isn't welcome here. Do not advertise it.

Sandman6 wrote:

I'm a liberal atheist married to a practising Catholic. There is a service at the church on Friday morning. She doesn't go, ever. Her choice and a good one since the police like to hang around there and arrest people. Colour and religion adds fuel to the fire.

Just imagine that you're in a southern bible bashing state in your country. If you wouldn't think about thinking about it in good ole Bam, then definately don't in Libya.

It's legal to go to church in Libya and quite safe.  The catholic church in Tripoli usually only has police when someone from the Greek embassy or a VIP is there.  Having said this, it is illegal for a local to convert to Christianity.

Sandman's post makes a good point though. I noticed in this forum that there is quite a bit of bloated rumors floating around.  Best to ask around and get as many opinions as possible.

gabacho wrote:

The catholic church in Tripoli usually only has police when someone from the Greek embassy or a VIP is there.

Why Greeks? Does it have any relation to Orthodox Christianity?

Thank you all for the replies, it helps to know what to expect and what is expected of me.  We're generally conservative, but I imagine this is a whole different level to adjust to.

So what's the best way for a woman to handle unwelcome attention?  Ignore it? Walk away? Just go about my business?  I plan to cover to cut down on attention, if I don't wear a full hijab I will likely wear a snood of some sort...unless that just makes me stand out more.  Plus my FIL will be there to escort me on outings.  Hopefully that will help also.

SomewhatCrunchy wrote:

if I don't wear a full hijab I will likely wear a snood of some sort...

No need for that unless you really want to try wearing it.
Keeps legs covered to just below the knee and arms covered to below the bicep.

gabacho wrote:

Sandman's post makes a good point though. I noticed in this forum that there is quite a bit of bloated rumors floating around.  Best to ask around and get as many opinions as possible.

What I meant by the police hanging round is that the church is always full of black west Africans, many of whom are illegals. It's easy pickings for the police to harras people. Our previous housegirl used to go there and was asked for her papers on occasion.

Just for the record, it's been suggested to me by local colleagues that when faced with officialdom it's better to just say christian rather than none/atheist etc.

SomewhatCrunchy, I think you better have a female comments on this issue, as these are the ones would tell you what they experienced in Libya.

I know that Christians are free to practice their religion, our neighbour, who is an African Christian, and his family always go to church no problems at all.

I believe that police are there to protect them. I think also police has the right to stop the illegal immigrants and deport them. they are "ILLEGAL". Police men are not illiterate, most of them graduated from Police Academy. yes most of them with attitude, but the Libyan law is clear about the Police are there to help the people not to harass them.

SomewhatCrunchy wait till you come here, I am not to tell you that most of the things said here is half truths or some handful negative situations. e.g what MoEl saying,,, about shopkeepers or taxi drivers do not have change its emmmmmm. don't know... its their business they will loose if they waste 10 or 15 minutes looking for change. and then you do not need to go to a small shop, go to Suq Althulatah I am sure they have change this one sorted.

believe me Libyans are friendly do not get scared to deal with them.

The church service on a Friday is a wonderful occasion. There is a mix of mainly African and Filipino, the singing is amazing, it creates a wonderful atmosphere. I don't know of anyone who has had problems at the church, even tourist buses turn up these days.

In my 35 years working here, I have yet to visit a shop that doesn't have any change.

You should dress modestly, which means pants or long skirts with 3/4 length sleeve shirt when going about Misurata.  On the beach, it depends on where you are...Tripoli etc.. some beaches you can wear what you want and others I just wouldn't want to because of the attention from the young guys.  You will find that out once you go a couple of times. 

I find it is best to ignore any comments and if you are with an 'escort' you will be fine.  It is really just boys being boys.  Like New York construction workers.

Be warned - New law for °µÍø½ûÇø drivers: http://www.°µÍø½ûÇø-blog.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=25481