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Social Profile
Food & Drink: Waiter service is normal in restaurants and bars. Standards of cuisine, whether French, Creole, Indian, Chinese or English, are generally very high but fruit, meat, vegetables and even fresh seafood are often in short supply and restaurants must usually depend on imports. Specialities include venison (in season), camarons (freshwater prawns) in hot sauces, octopus, creole fish, fresh pineapple with chilli sauce, and rice with curry.
Rum and beer are staple beverages for Mauritians but there is good imported wine, mineral water, alouda (almond drink) and fresh coconut milk.
Nightlife: In Grand Baie and some towns there are discotheques and nightclubs with music and dancing. Rivière Noire is a Creole fishermen’s district where sega dancing is especially lively on Saturday nights. Sega troupes give performances at most hotels. Gamblers are lavishly catered for; casinos in the island’s hotels are amongst the island’s attractions.
Shopping: The Central Market in Port Louis is full of beautifully displayed goods, including fruit, vegetables, spices, fish, meat and handicrafts. Island crafts include jewellery, Chinese and Indian jade, silks, basketry and pottery. Shopping centres are located at Quatre Bornes and Rose Hill. There is no duty payable on a number of products, including textiles. Shop signs may be in English, French or Chinese. Beside the Museum in Mahébourg, on the south east coast of the island, is a handicraft village. Shopping hours: Port Louis: Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1000-1200. Curepipe, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes: Mon-Wed; Fri and Sat 1000-1730, Thurs-Sun 1000-1200.
Special Events: With origins in three continents and three major religions there is a great diversity of religious and cultural festivals. For a complete list and for exact dates of festivals and events, enquire at the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (see Contact Addresses). The following is a selection of events taking place in 2003:
Jan 14 Thai Pongal (Tamil new year celebrations). Feb 1 Chinese Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). Feb-Mar Maha Shivaratree (celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva). Sep 9 Pere Laval’s Day (celebrated in honour of the missionary), Port Louis.
Social Conventions: Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Visitors should respect the traditions of their hosts, particularly when visiting a private house. The type of hospitality the visitor receives is determined by the religion and social customs of the host, which are closely related. It is appropriate to give a gift as a small token of appreciation if invited for a meal. Dress is normally informal although men will need to wear a suit for particularly formal occasions. Tipping: Ten per cent is usual in most hotels and restaurants. Tips are not customary for taxi drivers.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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