Basics - Rough Guide to Fiji - page 58

Greenforce UK 020 7470 8888, greenforce.org . Six- to ten-week programme assisting
in the survey of coral reefs on behalf of the World Conservation Society. From £2200 per
person. No dive experience required.
Madventurer UK 0845 121 1996, madventurer.com . A range of opportunities based
around Lautoka on Viti Levu, from teaching sport to working in healthcare. Two weeks from
£600.
Peace Corps US 1800 424 8580, peacecorps.gov . Over fifty volunteers work all
around Fiji assisting in a wide scope of community projects, from environmental and health
awareness to teaching information technology.
< Back to Basics
CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE
Any discussion of Fijian culture must take account of the split between ethnic Fijians
and their Fiji-Indian adopted neighbours. Fiji-born Indians are forbidden by law to
call themselves Fijians, with an almost apartheid-styled constitution being the country's
greatest barrier to building a unified nation. On the street level, the two races get on
well enough, but with vastly different cultures and aspirations they tend not to mix so-
cially. Considering them as a whole is thus difficult, although you'll find Fiji's peoples
are generally extremely hospitable, generous and forgiving. They tend also to be deeply
religious with church, temple and mosque well attended.
In rural areas , both amongst Fijians and Fiji-Indians, men and women have distinct roles
and seldom mix in social settings. Macho behaviour is common and women travellers may
find they experience unwanted attention. Amongst indigenous Fijians a strong heritage of tri-
bal customs influences day-to-day life. For more information on these traditional customs see
Visiting a Fijian village .
Smoking is socially acceptable in public places, although it has been officially banned
on public transport. Some restaurants and a few bars have self-imposed smoke-free zones.
Public toilets are few and far between.
As for dress codes , local women dress modestly. Shorts, sleeveless tops and short skirts
are quite acceptable in town centres although they may draw undesired attention. Bikinis are
fine at the pool or the beach, but not out and about. Bathing topless in public is strictly for-
bidden. Most restaurants and resorts are pretty casual but upscale eateries generally expect
you to dress for dinner by donning trousers and a collared shirt for men; trousers, skirts or
dresses for women. The most conservative environment for dress is in the villages where it's
expected for women to cover shoulders and for both men and women to wear sulus or at least
shorts covering the knees - sunglasses and hats should also be removed.