Page 353 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Morocco

pr a c tic al inform a tion  351

Dress in all shops and public
Attitudes towards places. Lastly, be aware that
dress have changed the Moroccans are very patriotic
signif icantly in Morocco, and that any discussion of
so that, in large towns their country can quickly
and cities, it is far from become heated.
unusual to see Moroccan
women in Western-style Bargaining
dress. Even so, scanty
clothing should not be You may bitterly disappoint
worn when exploring a trader if you do not show a
traditional quarters of willingness to indulge in the
towns or venturing into ritual of bargaining, another
the country. Very short Moroccan custom.
skirts, shorts and clothes Bargaining revolves around
that leave the shoulders the considerable difference
or chest bare are likely between the price quoted
to cause deep offence by the buyer and that offered by
to Moroccans. For the seller and the slow process
women, wearing a by which both sides arrive at
headscarf may help a mutually fair figure.
avoid unwanted When bargaining, you should
The Grand Mosque in Casablanca, open to non-Muslims attention. Women keep smiling since the whole
going topless, on the process is treated as a game.
doing so in public. Lastly, beach or in the swimming
couples in the street must pool, is severely frowned on.
behave with decorum; they Nudity is strictly forbidden in
should not kiss in public, Morocco, and nudists run the
for example. risk of being arrested.
Visiting Mosques The Monarchy
All mosques, except the Since the accession of
Grand Mosque in Casablanca Mohammed VI, attitudes
and the old Tin Mal Mosque, towards the monarchy are
are closed to non-Muslims. much more relaxed. You
When visiting these mosques, may even hear Moroccans
remove your shoes and openly criticizing the king.
behave in a respectful manner, Even so, the subject of the
appropriate to the holy nature monarchy is surrounded by
of the building. a great deal of taboo in
Never insist on being Morocco. As a general rule,
admitted to a mosque and do not express too trenchant
do not try to see inside it by an opinion on the subject
peeping through the door. and never show disrespect
Acting like this is likely to be towards the king’s image,
considered sacrilegious. which can be seen hanging
Moroccan women, customarily fully
dressed, on the beach
Smoking
Public places very rarely
have no-smoking areas.
However, smoking is now
prohibited in most buses
and modern cinemas.
Except in large towns
and cities, where attitudes
have changed, it may still be
considered shocking for women
to smoke in public. Smoking
kif (marijuana) is technically
illegal, and it is best to avoid
Tourist negotiating the price of a camel ride any contact with dealers.

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