10 Local Customs to Know Before You Visit Morocco
Holidaymakers are fleeing the Euro-zone for better deals to destinations like Morocco. But before you travel to another continent, it’s best that you go prepared and familarise yourself with the local customs. Here we’ve compiled a Top 10 list courtesy of Moroccan travel experts, The Best of Morocco, to help you ease into the Moroccan way of life.
1. Tipping
Tipping is part of everyday life in Morocco. You may think it’s only done by tourists, but it’s not! The locals do it to show their appreciation for good service. In Morocco, you tip just about everyone, the drivers, concierge, waiters, and the list goes on. Even when you dine in restaurants with a 12% gratuity and service charge to your bill, a tip is still expected.
2. Ramadan
Like any other Muslim country, during the Islamic month of fasting, participating Muslims does not eat or drink from dawn until sunset. Ramadan hardly affects tourists in major cities, there is only a slight change to shop opening hours. Food and drink is still available throughout daylight hours in hotel and tourist restaurants. However, as a matter of respect, you should not walk in the streets eating or drinking and if you are in a shop, you should try not to smoke.
3. No Lefties
On the dinner table that is. To experience a true Moroccan meal, you should try eating with your hands. But like other Muslim countries, you should always eat with the right hand, as the left is supposed to be used for the toilet.
4. Bargaining Power
When shopping in markets, the price you’re told is almost never the final price as sellers expect you to bargain. It is wise to bargain from half of the offer price, and take it from there. Eventually you’ll meet at a price you’re both happy with.
Here’s an example of “Haggling in Action”, a video of tourists buying shoes at a market in Marrakech.
5. Photo Opp
When taking photos of locals, it’s best to ask for permission first. Moroccans are generous and passionate people, but that’s not necessarily the case when strangers go snapping away with their cameras. In tourist places you may be required to tip them for a good pose at the camera.
6. Dress Code
There aren’t really any restrictions for women to dress in shorts or tank tops during the summer, as the locals are pretty used to it with many tourists visiting Morocco each year. However, when you enter a mosque, or any other holy place, you should dress conservatively out of respect, meaning cover your shoulders and pants over your knees. The same applies for male travellers also.
7. Got the Stomach for It?
Morocco is considered to be one of the few places in Africa that has the safest and cleanest drinking water distribution, but it is not advised for travellers to drink from the tap. Water in Morocco contains higher levels of minerals than water in Europe. The locals are used to absorb high-mineralized water, but travellers may fall ill from drinking it. It’s nothing major, just a case of an upset stomach, but that’s enough to spoil a holiday!
8. Shoes off
When invited to someone’s home for an authentic Moroccan meal, remember to leave your shoes by the door. As a custom, Moroccans do not wear outside shoes in their homes, or on their fabulous rugs.
9. Meet and Greet
Greetings are important in Morocco, as they often shake hands, right hand of course, and ask how each other and their family are doing. A cursory greeting is considered rude and offensive.
10. Eat Like a Pig
Nothing displays true Moroccan hospitality better than a good meal. When invited to a meal, prepare to be stunned by the variety and portion of the meals served. Be prepared to feast on couscous and kebabs whilst in Morocco. For pork lovers, it is difficult, though not impossible, to obtain pork dishes in restaurants, so beef, lamb and seafood are often the only available alternatives.
