Page 352 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Morocco

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Etiquette As with other invitations, it is
difficult to refuse first, let alone
Moroccans are very friendly people. You will have many second, helpings of food.
opportunities to talk to them, and may even be invited People usually eat with
into their homes. However, Morocco is a Muslim country, their fingers, with the additional
and certain conventions must be observed to avoid aid of a piece of bread. If you
cannot master the technique,
inadvertently causing offence. it is especially important to you will be given eating
dress appropriately, not to take photographs of Moroccans implements. When eating,
without their permission, and to avoid certain sensitive you should use your right hand
subjects in conversation. if you are invited into the home since the left hand, used for
of a Moroccan family, it is as well to be aware of certain personal hygiene, is traditionally
considered to be impure.
points of etiquette. respecting a few simple rules will A Moroccan meal invariably
be appreciated by your naturally hospitable hosts. ends with mint tea. It is not
unusual to drink three or four
glasses of this very sweet
infusion. Again, the offer is
very hard to refuse.

Photography
You can take photographs
almost anywhere in Morocco.
In some museums, a supple-
mentary fee is charged if you
want to take photographs,
and in others photography
is forbidden.
Avoid taking pictures of
military or official buildings
since this may result in your
film being confiscated and you
being questioned at length
Mint tea served to guests, one aspect of Moroccan hospitality about what you were trying
to photograph.
Hospitality a small gift is a far better Before turning the lens on
Among Moroccans, hospitality and more acceptable way anyone, always ask the person’s
is more than a tradition; it is an of thanking your hosts. permission, since Moroccans
honour. After just a few minutes have an ingrained suspicion of
of conversation, traders in any type of image. Bear in mind
the souks and country people Sharing a Meal that anyone who agrees to your
in the remotest regions of the If you are invited to share a photographing them may ask
Atlas may well invite you into meal in the home of a Moroccan you for a little money, especially
their homes to drink a glass of family, be prepared to be plied in the major tourist spots.
tea or share a meal. It is difficult with copious helpings of food.
to decline these invitations,
and a refusal may cause offence. Muslim Customs
When you enter a house, Islam is a state religion, and the
take your shoes off if shoes have king of Morocco is the leader of
already been left near the door; the faithful. It is thus considered
this is a sign of respect towards very bad form to criticize religion.
your host. It is often the men It is also ill-mannered to disturb
who will invite you in, although someone while they are at
you are sure to see the women prayer, whether by speaking
of the house as well, in which to them or by taking a
case avoid being over-familiar. photograph of them.
Accepting an invitation from a It is above all during Ramadan
trader in a souk puts you under that certain rules must be
no obligation to buy anything obeyed. The fast of Ramadan
from him. Finally, even if you are is strictly observed in Morocco.
invited in by Moroccans of very Although non-Muslims may
modest means, never offer to Moroccans customarily eat with their eat, drink and smoke whenever
pay for your meal. Offering right hand they please, they should avoid

350-351_EW_Moroco.indd 350 13/08/14 10:49 AM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm