Social Life in Tonga
Behavior
The people of Tonga are very humble and modest as they rarely express themselves in a way to offend another. This comes in respecting other people, dressing modestly, avoiding outward signs of wealth or affection, and having a reverence for God as most people are Christian.
As a visitor to Tonga, that same modesty is expected; modesty in dress, actions, words, and every aspect of your life. Many of the most important behavioral restrictions to be aware of are related to dress, dating (see below for both), and dining (see our Tonga Food & Dining Page for more information). Also try to avoid being loud, rude, showing off wealth, or getting drunk in public.
Dress
The Tongans have created a dress that combines historic and modern aspects of style, both Tongan and European in origin. Today most men (but not all as jeans are becoming popular) wear a short garment called a tupenu for pants (similar to a sarong or a skirt) and a western-styled shirt on top, whether that is as informal as a t-shirt or as formal as a suit jacket and tie. Likewise, women wear a tupenu that tends to be much longer than men's. The usually top for women is a dress or a local shirt called a kofu. For many formal occasions men will wear a ta'uvala and women will wear a kiekie, both of which are a type of pants, but more formal and in the case of kiekies, much more decorational.