Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Traditionally-dressed women
Centre
Tin Mal Mosque
Right
Photographing the locals
Etiquette
!
Hospitality
expect to attract more
than your fair share of
attention wherever you
go. However, avoid
travelling down south on
your own. People are
more conservative south
of the Atlas; a woman on
her own will draw a lot of
unwelcome curiosity.
king. Even so, the sub-
ject of the monarchy is
still largely taboo. It is
never a good idea to
show any disrespect to
the king's image, which
hangs in shops and in all
public places.
For Moroccans,
hospitality is more than
just tradition; it's a matter
of honour. Particularly if
you travel out of
Marrakech, people you
meet may well invite you
to their homes to drink
tea or have a meal; a
refusal could be seen as
offensive. Never offer to
pay for your meal. Carry
a small gift along, like
chocolates or cakes.
@
Islam
*
Tipping
You are expected to
tip in restaurants and
cafés, but not too great
an amount. As a rule of
thumb, leave about 10
per cent unless a service
charge is included. You
are also expected to tip
porters (about 20 Dh is
the usual amount) and
the staff at your riad -
leave 100 Dh on top of
the bill.
(
Begging
%
Photographing
people
You can take photographs
almost anywhere in
Morocco but avoid official
buildings and anything
that looks like it might be
police or military. Before
turning your camera on
anyone, always ask for
permission, since the
more traditional
Moroccans have an
ingrained suspicion of
any type of image. You
may be asked for money
by those you photograph,
especially in tourist spots
and in particular around
Jemaa El Fna.
^
Smoking
Islam is a state
religion and the king of
Morocco is the leader of
the faithful. It is therefore
considered to be in bad
taste to criticise religion.
Dress properly
(see
below)
and refrain from
overt signs of affection.
During the fast of
Ramadan
(see p103)
do
not eat, drink or smoke
in public during the day.
You may notice that
Moroccans give freely to
the beggars hanging
around the streets,
anything from 10 cents to
1 Dh. One of the “Five
Pillars of Islam” is charity,
which is just as well as
there is no social security
system to support those
unable to work.
£
Dress
Although Moroccan
women do wear Western
clothes, play it safe and
dress conservatively.
Headscarves are not
necessary but neither
women nor men should
wear shorts. Women
should also avoid mini
skirts, baring their midriff
or leaving their shoulders
bare. Revealing bikini
tops should be restricted
to the hotel pool.
The stigma of
nicotine hasn't yet
filtered through to
Morocco, and everybody
smokes everywhere, all
the time. Get used to
eating in smoke-filled
restaurants and travelling
on smoke-filled buses
and in smoke-filled taxis.
&
The monarchy
)
Visiting mosques
Unlike most other
Arab countries, non-
Muslims cannot visit
mosques or shrines.
There are even one or
two streets (well marked)
in the medina that non-
Muslims are not allowed
to enter because they
lead to holy places.
Curiously, this rule was
instituted by the French
during their colonial rule.
Since the accession
of Mohammed VI,
attitudes towards the
monarchy have relaxed.
You may even hear
Moroccans criticizing the
$
Female travellers
Marrakech is safe for
solo female travellers,
although you should
106
