Moroccan men off the menu
Christmas in Morocco. Well, what can I say? When people ask how it was, I usually say “interesting” or “different”. It wasn’t the holiday we were expecting, put it that way. We thought we’d be sunbathing by day and partying by night. We did sunbathe, but there were no parties, no dancing and, amazingly, no hangovers – I didn’t touch a drop of alcohol while I was out there.
The reasons for this sedate holiday? Flu did play a big part in my desire for an early night but us trio of girlies needed to keep our wits about us – Moroccon men were lurking everywhere. From the minute we arrived at the airport we got stared at. We felt like a tourist attraction in our own right and the constant attention and hassle we got from sleazy and sweaty men was relentless and exhausting.
A 10 minute walk along the beach, for example, resulted in no less than 12 approaches from men, either wanting to sell us camel rides, bottles of wee (could have been perfume but I wouldn’t bet my life on it) or Moroccan kaftans for 30p, or just wanted to talk to us and look down our tops.
On teh first day we ventured out of the hotel to visit the cashpoint and five taxis stopped to offer us a lift, one of them reversing 100 metres down a main road to do so. We were just trying to cross the road!
So, after my festive experience in Agadir, Moroccan men are definitely off the menu, for the following reasons:
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Their chat up lines include shouting “fish and chips” at English girls as they walk by. I would never dream of shouting “couscous” to a Moroccan geezer – how immature!
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Their eyes bore into you where ever you go. Don’t they know it’s rude to stare?
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In England it is not a compliment to be told you’re worth 300 camels. It is in Morocco apparently.
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I’m not a fan of short men anyway, and most Moroccans are just that.
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A lot of guys could be seen wondering around wearing long gowns with pointy hoods. Say no more.
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Morocco is a very poor country but blokes, and women too for that matter, want tipping for everything. Helping someone reverse out of a tight space, taking a photo of someone’s donkey and cart and passing you a roll of toilet paper all require money to be handed over. Moroccans think English folk are loaded and expect us to throw money at them at every opportunity. Not an attractive quality.
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They get funny when you can’t understand their English. But when they say “don’t you like to be in the shit?”, they’re actually saying “don’t you like to be in the shade?” Amusing.
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They smell. Now I kinda like the whiff of a bloke who’s just worked his socks off on the volleyball court, but Moroccan guys just smell bad. All day long.
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They’ll try anything to convince you to spend time with them. Even the holiday rep tried it on. His persuasions included telling us he used to be manager of the hotel (whopping lie), he was from a very rich family, his friend was an estate agent, we were “very special people” and “he would never damage us”. Hmmm, I was almost tempted. NOT!
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They’re very childlike. When one of the hotel entertainers took a liking to my mate, he was distraught to learn she had a boyfriend back home. (She doesn’t – we thought it was safer to say she did.) He then refused to speak or make eye contact with her for the rest of the holiday. And when we chatted to some French guys at the bar one day, we were accused of having French boyfriends. Look pal, you don’t own us, we can talk to who we like.
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They’re very suspicious of journalists. I wasn’t sure they were going to let me into the country. We had to fill out cards on the plane which some serious looking dudes looked over at passport control. I was asked to write down the name of the newspaper I worked for and he was utterly confused when I said I worked for a university. You don’t have to work for a paper to be a journo you know!
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I could never date a man who drives a donkey and cart. There were a lot of them about.
Maybe I sound a bit snobbish, but Moroccan guys have made a lasting impression on me, and not a good one. They could easily have ruined our holiday because they wouldn’t leave us alone for one minute. I’m sure there are some lovely Moroccan chaps out there, I can only speak from my own personal experience. So, it’s so nice to be back home where I can walk down the street without attracting a single glance.
So, wanna hear the story about the near death coach journey, the Moroccan dentist and a man with two hedgehogs and a guinea pig in his bag? Tune in to tomorrow’s blog entry.
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This was a really interesting entry, and I really enjoyed reading it!
I’ve lived in Morocco for 16 years. The problem as a tourist is that it’s hard to meet the “right” people. I didn’t start meeting better people (meaning people who did not have a business or financial, or ‘potential marriage hopeful’ reason for getting to know me) when I started teaching at a school. I get to know Moroccan parents in the context of teaching their children. When I worked in Morocco in tourism, I had the same problem as a tourist, as all the Moroccans I knew were in the tourism industry, and always thinking of what money they could get from the tourists.
There are many nice Moroccans, but the problem is it’s very hard to meet the right ones as a tourist. This is probably true for any third-world country, as well.
Madame Monet
Writing, Painting, Music, and Wine
winewriter.wordpress.com
I look forward to tomorrow’s blog entry. Quite a few female friends have told me stories like this scene from the Blues Brothers
french learn how to speak english
French comics are quite present in science-fiction and remain influential in the domain.[33] France is the leading asylum destination in Western
Wow… my experience to a T! It pretty much did ruin our experience there. Oh… you forgot to mention being told to fuck off and go back to our own country by one of the man Moroccan men with monkeys on leashes, who insist on putting an ape on your shoulder after you repeatedly say NO NO NO NO NO… who then demands 5 euros for it! That might have just been in Marrakech though.
They rip you off at any chance they get. We did encounter 4 nice Moroccan men on our last night in Marrakech, and I’m sure more exist, but it’s so bad that you don’t look at anyone, speak to anyone… which isn’t a nice way to spend your holiday. Only go to Morocco with a man on your arm and a ring on your finger!… unless you want to put up with all of the above.
I was sad to read your entry. I can see you’re trying to be funny and it’s a jokey blog but yes it does come across as very snobby or worse. When I was in Morocco I was astounded at how women from outside of Morocco just didn’t even think about the customs in Morocco. I’m thinking about dress codes. If girls walked down the street topless in the UK it would probably have the same effect on men as girls walking down the street in low cut tops and short sleeves has on Moroccan men. You said men were looking down your tops! Women in Morocco don’t wear low cut tops, so surprise. If you don’t want men to look at your cleavage, why show it? I noticed that when I work a long dress and long sleeves and no low cut top the majority of men treated me respectfully in Morocco.
Frankie,
How long did you live in Morocco? Where did you go? I like to say that your entry was wrong. I just left Morocco after living there for over two years. I am a U.S. citizen who is of mixed race. I dress very modestly, no showing much skin, no tight pants, no mini skirts and no tight thin shirts. I wore most of the time work clothes. Not a single day went by that I was not harrassed. What I think is intersting that you say that “Women in Morocco don’t wear low cut tops, so surprise. If you don’t want men to look at your cleavage, why show it?”. What you say is wrong. There have been so many Moroccan women, in the major cities, who dress in low tops and tight pants, even with the hijab! I was quite shocked by this. Most of the time, people thought I was Moroccan. Cabbies would talk to me in Daija or French, without realizing I was from the U.S. But I have never, never felt so humuliated in my life. On a typical day, I would dress in pants, a blouse and jacket, walk to work and have at least 12 guys harrass me. Many times I would have men say horrible things to me in darija. Example, I would sit on the balcony at work, going over my lesson plans, wearing apporiate work clothes, and the men across the street would whistle and make noises at me. I find that rude and disgusting.
Outside of the major cities, this has never happened. I travelled to quite a lot of places in my time in Morocco and I have felt the warmth and love that Morocco needs to show the world. The men there know how to show all women, no matter where they are, respect. In the cities, they do not. If people come to visit Morocco and everyday they get harrassed, of course they would come away with disliking it. I have heard this from many people.
Despite the harrassment in Morocco, there are many wonderful people and wonderful things to do and see.
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I read your blog and understood what your talking about. But I visited there for 3 months. I had no problems like this, but then I didn’t hang around where only the tourist go. I stayed with friends, and other families. It was wonderful and we were very respected, my daughter and I. Of course we dressed more repectable to honor their custom, even though alot of women there do dress like Americans. But not like sluts, mind you. I was not impressed with the restaurants that served food that was suppose to be from U.S., because really not like ours at all ie: Pizza Hut The men in the streets did not yell things at us, and them yelling “fish and chips” was not at you, but to get tourist attention. I don’t know where you were hanging out, but none of the people we were around smelled bad. Yes, some cities needed cleaning in the streets, but there is always some city in every country that needs clean up. Sorry to hear your trip was so horrible. I myself love the country and the people. Good luck on your next vacation.
I agree with you. Moroccan men are GROSS!! I am Asian and I got harassed everywhere I went. They shouted to me ‘Chinaa’ ‘Japan’ ‘Phi-li-pin’, Honked at me. I got really stressed out during the trip in Marraketch. Not to mention everybody wanted my money, even three 8 years old boys who seemed to be nice, came to talk with me about this and that…and then when I said good bye..they asked for money! Men will do and say anything to get date (and then get married) to foreing women, they want VISA to get out of this poor country.
Women are possessions to Middle Eastern men, to be used for sex, bearing children, cooking, and a good beating when the mood strikes. They are not considered equals as we are in the U.S. or other civilized countries. Our value is measured in “camels”.
well, well, well!!!!!!!!
morocco is dirty, morocco is poor, moroccan people smell wow it sounds like u guys r from paradise……
I was in Morocco on Easter 2009. Reading Tahir Shah’s “In the Arabian Nights” before the trip, I developed a belief that Moroccan people are the among the most selfless people one can encounter. Perhaps so but generally not for a tourist.
I met the extremes of people there in terms of generosity. A few, who are among the kindest I’ve ever met in my life (without exaggeration), would go out of their way to help you. Many though — only men, Moroccan women are generally nice — would just prey at you, you being a tourist, because they think since you are travelling you must have a well of cash. I have done quite a bit of travelling to not-so-developed countries and I know about hustlers. In Morocco though, the hustlers tend to be more deceptive and aggressive. People whom you would initially think are genuine would turn out to be after your money as well. I was extremely disappointed by this.
I am not generalising Moroccans as bad people for this experience. As I’ve said, I’ve met a few nice ones whose friendships I would cherish. Having said that though, if I would go back to Morocco for another visit, I would be less trusting, which is a sad thing.
Someone help me, I am confused and like a Moroccan police man so much….. People are so messed up today and I hear bad and good things about everything… I hate users and b s it artists and I am not willing to hear just bad about Arabs… please help me I am stuck aew Moroccan police nice?
Someone help me, I am confused and like a Moroccan police man so much….. People are so messed up today and I hear bad and good things about everything… I hate users and bs artists and I am not willing to hear just bad about Arabs… please help me I am stuck, are Moroccan police nice?
(please replace the other with this one)
Hi, how are you? I just want you to know I am an american girl who said I would never date an arabic man.I also had no idea what a moroccan was or where.I was not very smart or open about any of it.I went in with closed eyes and I was very nervous.I met my love 2 years ago and it has been great he is smart,independent,sexy,caring,loving,and loves my attention and he wears armani so………..he definitely does not stink.He loves taking me to places were his moroccan friends are and letting me meet them and they were great.I am going to meet his mother in August and they are very well put together.I am 26 and a nurse he was with me when I had nothing now I make alot of money and he will not even let me buy gum for him he always pays he is quite the gentleman.I am not going to say you will have a perfect relationship because they are all different and I worked at a moroccan club and I have seen every kind. I just want you to know every race has the rotten people and if you are not ready to be serious or have a man that wants you to have respect for yourself or him or the relationship a moroccan man is not for you sweetie.I hope everything works out for you and you can not listen to other people and thier experiences.I feel everyone has the right to thier opinion and bad experiences it happens.But you have to go down that road on your own.GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!any quesions let me know.
You’re my exact story 10 years ago! I’m and educated
American woman and I married a Moroccan. His family was 100 percent accepting of me. But now, I am heartbroken. He divorced me, even though he tells me daily he still loves me, in order to marry a Moroccan wife. He says he is not marrying for love, but is now marrying to have Moroccan babies. I hope you can learn from my mistake and do not get involved in the Moroccan family. Once he makes his decision to leave, the family disowns you and you will be left on your own. I cry every day. I just want to save other Americans from making the same mistake I did. I was blind too and ignored everyone who tried to warn me.
I think it would be impossible to say whether all Moroccan policeman are nice or not, surely it’s down to the individual? My advice would be not to listen to anyone and make your own mind up.
To say that all moroccan men are short and smelly can only narrow minded person. It would be as same as to say all american men are fat and stupid… You have had a bad holiday experience, but don’t generelize all men there. The problem is that some men in Morocco thinks all american women are easy. ( Not nice to be stereotyped isn’t it? ) And as for talking in english- at least they try- how about you trying to talk in arabic – I bet they would have a good laugh at your expense…
I haven’t stereotyped all Moroccan men, merely commented on my experience over there, through my eyes. And Moroccan men my well think all American women are easy, but I’m not American.
Selma, thank you for replying to this thread and putting it in proper perspective. It’s always hard to meet the “right” people while traveling (those who aren’t out to rip you off for your money, or as you say, who might view you as “easy” for either money or sex).
Yes,Madame Monet, you have to be open minded person to travel in Morocco. It is a beautiful country where you can enjoy yourself if you are not into Ibiza style holidays. Great history, mysterious Medinas, lovely beaches, hospitable and friendly people and food to die for.. And if you do get unwanted attention from men, usually a firm No and a cold look does the trick. Of course, if you wear a mini skirt, a low cut top and giggle or flirt with them,they will expect something more then “See you!” Respect yourself and you’ll be respected. I’ve seen a “europian” woman sunbathing topless in Agadir with her teenage son surrounded by exited moroccan teenagers. Didn’t she know Morocco is a muslim country and their law and customs should be respected? Was it plain ignorance or just stupidity?
There are some bars and nightclubs in bigger cities of Morocco, but women who goes there ( moroccan girls included ) are seen and treated as whores.
Hi,
I read your blog with much interest. I am a Moroccan woman and what can I say I agree totally that the men are border line mental cases! I think most can be easily diagnosed with some personality disorder or other mixed in with sexual frustration. As Moroccan lady visiting this country yearly unlike some of your comments above i strongly disagree it has nothing to do with culture ignorance by western tourists. I am covered and I understand and speak French/Moroccan AND I AM MOROCCAN. It is simply this, if you look slightly different i.e. a strong minded confident woman walking along alone, from an ignorant illiterate Moroccan mans perspective you are nothing but a woman after sex ! It does not seem to sink into the Moroccan males small skull that the reason for your being alone on a street is simply because you might be enjoying the sea view or doing a spot of shopping. And unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it ladies since the law in this country is made by men for men. The women of Morocco are generally very nice, the Men however are disgusting apes to put it mildly! Ask any Moroccan woman, if she was given half a chance she would marry a lovely civilised man from the west any day!!!. This is why the Moroccan men go out of their way to lock us women up, refuse us an education and keep us out of site. I personally would rather die than ever marry a Moroccan man, and for any western lady who has hooked up with a Morrocan guy GOOD LUCK TO U dear! so for all your blog haters out there which im sure are mainly ape men incapable of stringing two words together. I stand by everything you say and i commend you for writing your honest opinion of your experiences whilst in Morocco. This is not a culture that respects human sanctity, every Moroccan woman from as far as the city of Oujda through to the horror of Marrakesh can say they have one thing in common and that is they know of someone or are themselves a victim of Moroccan male abuse almost everyday both inside and outside the home. Morocco has a deep seated secret ,behind those walls, gardens and riads lays a million broken unhappy beaten women who are imprisoned in a life of abuse and hell. Since Moroccan men are illiterate they never read the koran or follow the original teachings of the islamic faith which prevents men from harassing women, let a lone beating them. Sad world we live in.
Wow Maroclady, or shall I say pretending to be one. I don’t think you are moroccan, I don’t think you are covering your hair. I’m married to a moroccan for over eighteen years and I couldn’t wish for a better husband. I have all the respect, care and love some women only dream about. In comparison – I know ladies who’s married to a “lovely, civilised” western man and gets only beatings, mental abuse and occasional flower to say sorry after battering. I don’t know what sort of family you grew up with, but I know many many moroccan families, where women are loved, respected and have full freedom. And what’s this rubbish you’re talking about moroccan men beeing illiterate??? Where do you go for your holidays in Morocco??? Also Qur’an teachings are everywhere- you can listen in Mosque, on CD, TV. Some points you are correct – about girls/women beeing harrassed near beach or souk. But look at men who’s doing it – they are just some boys – teenagers or twenty’s something with no education or prospects in life, trying to get a “meal ticket”…
I would disagree with you Selma. While I was living in Morocco, for over two years, I was harrassed by men of all ages, and it didn’t matter where or who. Example, I was working to work one day, wearing work clothes, baige full length pants, a white button-up blouse (non revealing, nor tight) and a jacket over it and I look Moroccan, though I am mixed from the U.S. This was on a friday around lunch time. As I passed the grand Mosque in Rabat, an older man, who just came out of the mosque from prayer looked me up and down and said something to me in darija. I have gotten harrassed by policemen, from older men, from kids, from teenagers. Age does not matter. I have been followed home by drunks, touched by older men. And I know that I am not alone in this. This has happened to all of my fellow collegues. One of my friends had a guy come up to here, pull her hair and was touched by a guy. Two of my Asian friends were harrassed daily by men of all ages and profession, rich and poor. If you really want to get educated. Sit on the Mohed.5th ave at a cafe, look and watch around you.
Well, to touch somebody unknown to you is a harrassment. And if you have shouted there and then or called a police,the man would be arested. In all touristic cities like Marrakech, Agadir and now – Rabat there is something called tourist police, who protect and look after tourists. Some men do have these ancient views about men beeing superior to women, but that’s not a rule. And to be followed home by drunks – that sounds like any other country in the world
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Oright, listen y’all
are u folks retarded, trying to compare Morocco to a developed country like the US or the UK. Morocco is doing great for what it is, being an emerging country. Moroocan ppl dont care about u have to say, they measure their own value by their ancient history and pride, and furthermore by their culture, traditions, and most importantly by their values. yeah, moroccans may have relatively considerable portion if its population poor, but why are u going to go there if u dont take ur experience as it is and not try to comparing it to western world, dont expect to find the mystics of morocco with very sophisticated ameneties. u can not generalize either about any particular characteristics except for what it is widely known for which is mystique. u can only say that u have seen Morocco if u have gone there with a moroccan and stayed there for more than three months.