Dress appropriately and other Marrakesh, Morocco Local Custom Tips

"When in Rome..." are words to live by. Especially here. It is important that when travelling to Morocco you dress respectfully, as a male or female. You will stick out like a (rude) sore thumb amongst the locals if you prance around in skimpy tank tops and minskirts.

For women: It's best not to wear low-cut tops, to reveal your shoulders or to wear pants/skirts above the knee, the longer the better. Some tourists are doing it despite it being offensive to many. Rise above.

For men: Pants are pretty much a must. Shorts will not be seen on a single local man. Shirts with sleeves (at least short sleeves) on top. Most locals are wearing long sleeves.

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Or be prepared to be ripped off. This is the way it is. The price your told initially is not set in stone, they expect you to bargain. And if you don't you'll feel foolish when you ask a marrakeshi if you got a good deal. I found that it worked best to offer half of the price I was told and work from there. They will look at you like you're crazy, then say another price, then you'll do the same. At some point, hopefully, you'll arrive at a price you're both happy with.

If they won't budge/go down on the price enough to make you happy, I suggest that if you really want the item you're bargaining over, you scan their "shop" for something else you like as well and say "OK, I'll pay 200 dirham for it if you throw this item in as well." This worked more often than not.

Sometimes they will refuse your offers entirely as a bluff. Be prepared to walk away. I had a man chase me half way through one of the souks to sell me an item, and at MY price.

However, don't be a cheapskate. A LOT of these items are handcrafted, and a lot of these people get by on A LOT less money than you make at home. Sometimes it's worth it to pay a little more than you want to, to get something you'll never find at home.

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In a culture basically forbidden from drinking alcohol, you'll find yourself sipping (to my utter delight) many, many mint teas while in Marrakesh. This tea is delicious. Made from loose green tea, huge mint leaves and sugar. It will be served in a small, clear decorative glass. And people everywhere will be offering to you, at your riad, in restaurants, when in carpet or antique shops, etc.

If offered it, it's best not to refuse. If offered and partaken of in a shop, expect to find yourself purchasing something soon there after. I liked it best when the 'manager' of our riad prepared it for me, he'd run right out for a huge bunch of fresh mint and in just minutes I'd be enjoying this lovely warm beverage.

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Morocco was my first trip to a country that was predominently Muslim. That said, I felt it necessary to do a bit of research on the religion in general. This tip pertains to the Salaah.
Moroccans have a call to prayer 5 times a day, at which time they are to perform the Salaah. They are supposed to go to the nearest mosque to do this with a congregation of others. Although many perform the Salaah most anywhere they find themselves (i.e. work, in their hotel room, etc.).

The call to prayer is called the adhaan or azaanezan and it may be startling to you at first, but once you get used to it, you very well might find it beautiful and fascinating. I know my husband and I were desperate to know what was said in this call to prayer so I looked it up:
Allaabu Akbar (four times - "Allah is Most Great").
Ash'hadu an laa ilaaha illallaah (twice - "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah").
Ash'hadu anna Muhammadar-rasulullaah (twice - "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah").
Haya 'alas-salaah (twice - "Come to prayer").
Ilaya 'alal falaah (twice - "Come to the good;').
Allaaku Akbar (twice - "Allah is Most Great").

And just so you know, the first call takes place just before dawn (and very well might wake you up!). And the very last takes place a couple hours or so after sunset. Before a muslim performs the salaah they must perform an ablution, this is done by washing one's face, hands, head and feet with water.

Unless you are muslim you will not be allowed inside a mosque (specifically in Marrakesh). So please respect this and do not bother attempting entry. Also, I'd be very careful about trying to photograph anything pertaining to muslims performing their salaah.

I found living amidst this religious ritual beautiful and sacred.

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More information I sought out before we departed to better understand the place we were going...

The Muslim faith contains the "Five Pillars" of Islam and they are considered the framework of the Muslim life. The first pillar is faith in God and Muhammed as his messenger. The second pillar is prayer, performed five times a day. The third is concern for the needy, given as a tithe, about two and a half percent of one's earnings per year. Next is self-purification. Every year in the month of Ramadan, all able Muslims fast from dawn till dusk, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. And lastly, physically and financially able followers are expected to make a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca.

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