Culture & Etiquette- Page 3
As with any Journeys you are thrust into a different culture, and this Mystical Morocco Journey is no different. This is just some of the things you should be aware of.
Pictures
Many people do not want their picture taken in Morocco, part of this is because Islam prohibits the depiction of human images which is why all their art is of animals or geometric shapes. Always ask first, and they may expect a tip.
The one exception is in the Souk or Djemma el Fna of any of the entertainers or shops, however you will be expected to tip every time. Performers, musicians and anyone else you fancy having your picture taken with will ask for 100 Dirham (DH,) but just give them 5-10 DH and tell them you don’t have any more. Keep a stock of Dh1 coins on hand for tipping the performers.
Ask and then take your picture, give them 5 to 10 Dirham (DH). If they ask 100 DH, just say no. If you give 20 DH, expect to be invited to a tea, or seat near them and make all the pictures you want. Give them 50 DH, and you’ll be the king.
Musicians are there to get money but, above all, to have fun. If you get to the group, they will ask you for some change. Give up some 5 or 10 DH, and ask to be seated. You’ll be close to the musicians and other Moroccans who are there just to have fun. Once in a while, throw 2 DH to the floor when the chief performer asks people for money. They usually only start playing when they make a certain amount of money. Usually 20 DH.
If you want to have a splendid time, pay 2 or 5 DH and stay listening to some good music.
For Gnawa musicians, these young guys can be as friendly as rude. Be nice to them from the beginning, and you’ll make great photos and videos. For a one-to-one show, give from 10 to 20 DH. Maybe if they are two, give 10 DH each and say you can’t really give more. Smile and try to make a conversation and they will soon forget about the commercial side of their daily life. If they ask 100 DH, just say no.
In the Amazigh Villages always ask, of course, sometimes the children will be happy to have their photos taken, but try and ask the parents permission first.
Toilets
In many countries of the world, "Eastern Toilets" (aka squatters) are commonplace, these are basically holes in the ground where you squat to do your business with not actual toilet "throne." Sometimes when the western style toilets are available they have no seat. Maneuvering these squatters are can be a interesting experience and may take practice without incident. Some women wear dresses or long skirts to hike up, and others have no issues with wearing pants. In any case if you have never used them before you will have to get used to them at one point.
ALWAYS bring tissue packets with you as many Muslims cleanse themselves with a hose next to the toilet, you may not have toilet paper available and sometimes it is soaking wet.
A small bottle of sanitizer or wet-wipes is also a good idea as well, since soap isn't always available either.
Stomach Issues
You are inevitably bound to have stomach issues sometime on your Journey. This could be one of several factors, from spicy foods, oily or fried foods, sweets, or the local bacteria that your body is not used to.
Hammam Etiquette
Hammams are a cultural experience to not be missed if you have never done one before. Here is a breakdown of how to do one properly.
The connection between hammams and Islam leads to a ritual-like performance of cleansing procedures within these wash houses. Hammams themselves are often segregated by gender, with some designating specific days, or hours, to men and women. Inside you can expect to find a network of marble or stone-paved rooms.
The first room of the hammam is similar in style to an entrance hall and functions as a changing room. At this point, many tourists will often opt to wear swimsuits but locals are likely to strip-down completely, it depends on the Hammam.
For Women
Women might be expected to wear underwear or offered an alternative by the hammam. It’s best to check with the locals or those at the entrance what the norm is for the particular hammam you decide to visit. But generally women can either go naked some wear bikini bottoms or underwear (or sometimes you will be given a disposable pair of underwear to put on.) Once you are suitably undressed, put on your robe and go meet your hammam attendant. For many Moroccan women, who would not drink in a café or bar, the hammam is a social gathering place, in which tourists are made very welcome too. Women may be also surprised to find their Moroccan counterparts completely shaven and may (in good humour) be offered this service; there’s no embarrassment in declining. Indeed, hammams turn out to be a highlight for many women travelers, and an excellent way to make contact with Moroccan women.
For Both Sexes
The usual procedure is to find a piece of floor space in the hot room, surround it with as many buckets of water as you feel you need, and lie in the heat to sweat out the dirt from your pores before scrubbing it off. A plastic bowl is useful for scooping the water from the buckets to wash with. You can also order a massage, in which you will be allowed to sweat, pulled about a bit to relax your muscles, and then rigorously scrubbed with a rough flannel glove (kiis). Alternatively, buy a kiis and do it yourself.
The heat gradually increases in the dome-shaped steam rooms that ensue. These rooms operate at very hot temperatures in order to open the pores of your skin. Within this part of hammams, masseurs, or yourself depending on where you are, wash your skin. This process begins with an intense scrub using the traditional black olive paste soap and is followed by the rinsing away of the dead skin.
Bowls are filled with clean water that is poured over the body before guests receive a second scrub with a rough cleansing glove and the ritual is finished with the final rinse, often with cold water in order to provide an invigorating end to the experience. You may also find the final room in the bathing complex is a cold room designed for relaxation prior to departure. Here guests lie down, hydrate and unwind.
Don’t forget to bring soap and shampoo (though these are sometimes sold at hammams), and a towel (these are sometimes rented, but may not always be as clean as you’d like). Moroccans often bring a plastic mat to sit on, too, as the floors can get a bit clogged. Mats can be bought easily enough in any town. Most Moroccans use a pasty, olive oil-based soap (sabon bildi), sold by weight in Medina shops. On sale at the same shops, you’ll find kiis flannel gloves, a fine mud (ghasoul), used by some instead of shampoo, pumice stones (hazra) for removing dead skin, and alum (chebba), used as an antiperspirant and to stop shaving cuts from bleeding.
As with any Journeys you are thrust into a different culture, and this Mystical Morocco Journey is no different. This is just some of the things you should be aware of.
Pictures
Many people do not want their picture taken in Morocco, part of this is because Islam prohibits the depiction of human images which is why all their art is of animals or geometric shapes. Always ask first, and they may expect a tip.
The one exception is in the Souk or Djemma el Fna of any of the entertainers or shops, however you will be expected to tip every time. Performers, musicians and anyone else you fancy having your picture taken with will ask for 100 Dirham (DH,) but just give them 5-10 DH and tell them you don’t have any more. Keep a stock of Dh1 coins on hand for tipping the performers.
Ask and then take your picture, give them 5 to 10 Dirham (DH). If they ask 100 DH, just say no. If you give 20 DH, expect to be invited to a tea, or seat near them and make all the pictures you want. Give them 50 DH, and you’ll be the king.
Musicians are there to get money but, above all, to have fun. If you get to the group, they will ask you for some change. Give up some 5 or 10 DH, and ask to be seated. You’ll be close to the musicians and other Moroccans who are there just to have fun. Once in a while, throw 2 DH to the floor when the chief performer asks people for money. They usually only start playing when they make a certain amount of money. Usually 20 DH.
If you want to have a splendid time, pay 2 or 5 DH and stay listening to some good music.
For Gnawa musicians, these young guys can be as friendly as rude. Be nice to them from the beginning, and you’ll make great photos and videos. For a one-to-one show, give from 10 to 20 DH. Maybe if they are two, give 10 DH each and say you can’t really give more. Smile and try to make a conversation and they will soon forget about the commercial side of their daily life. If they ask 100 DH, just say no.
In the Amazigh Villages always ask, of course, sometimes the children will be happy to have their photos taken, but try and ask the parents permission first.
Toilets
In many countries of the world, "Eastern Toilets" (aka squatters) are commonplace, these are basically holes in the ground where you squat to do your business with not actual toilet "throne." Sometimes when the western style toilets are available they have no seat. Maneuvering these squatters are can be a interesting experience and may take practice without incident. Some women wear dresses or long skirts to hike up, and others have no issues with wearing pants. In any case if you have never used them before you will have to get used to them at one point.
ALWAYS bring tissue packets with you as many Muslims cleanse themselves with a hose next to the toilet, you may not have toilet paper available and sometimes it is soaking wet.
A small bottle of sanitizer or wet-wipes is also a good idea as well, since soap isn't always available either.
Stomach Issues
You are inevitably bound to have stomach issues sometime on your Journey. This could be one of several factors, from spicy foods, oily or fried foods, sweets, or the local bacteria that your body is not used to.
Hammam Etiquette
Hammams are a cultural experience to not be missed if you have never done one before. Here is a breakdown of how to do one properly.
The connection between hammams and Islam leads to a ritual-like performance of cleansing procedures within these wash houses. Hammams themselves are often segregated by gender, with some designating specific days, or hours, to men and women. Inside you can expect to find a network of marble or stone-paved rooms.
The first room of the hammam is similar in style to an entrance hall and functions as a changing room. At this point, many tourists will often opt to wear swimsuits but locals are likely to strip-down completely, it depends on the Hammam.
For Women
Women might be expected to wear underwear or offered an alternative by the hammam. It’s best to check with the locals or those at the entrance what the norm is for the particular hammam you decide to visit. But generally women can either go naked some wear bikini bottoms or underwear (or sometimes you will be given a disposable pair of underwear to put on.) Once you are suitably undressed, put on your robe and go meet your hammam attendant. For many Moroccan women, who would not drink in a café or bar, the hammam is a social gathering place, in which tourists are made very welcome too. Women may be also surprised to find their Moroccan counterparts completely shaven and may (in good humour) be offered this service; there’s no embarrassment in declining. Indeed, hammams turn out to be a highlight for many women travelers, and an excellent way to make contact with Moroccan women.
For Both Sexes
The usual procedure is to find a piece of floor space in the hot room, surround it with as many buckets of water as you feel you need, and lie in the heat to sweat out the dirt from your pores before scrubbing it off. A plastic bowl is useful for scooping the water from the buckets to wash with. You can also order a massage, in which you will be allowed to sweat, pulled about a bit to relax your muscles, and then rigorously scrubbed with a rough flannel glove (kiis). Alternatively, buy a kiis and do it yourself.
The heat gradually increases in the dome-shaped steam rooms that ensue. These rooms operate at very hot temperatures in order to open the pores of your skin. Within this part of hammams, masseurs, or yourself depending on where you are, wash your skin. This process begins with an intense scrub using the traditional black olive paste soap and is followed by the rinsing away of the dead skin.
Bowls are filled with clean water that is poured over the body before guests receive a second scrub with a rough cleansing glove and the ritual is finished with the final rinse, often with cold water in order to provide an invigorating end to the experience. You may also find the final room in the bathing complex is a cold room designed for relaxation prior to departure. Here guests lie down, hydrate and unwind.
Don’t forget to bring soap and shampoo (though these are sometimes sold at hammams), and a towel (these are sometimes rented, but may not always be as clean as you’d like). Moroccans often bring a plastic mat to sit on, too, as the floors can get a bit clogged. Mats can be bought easily enough in any town. Most Moroccans use a pasty, olive oil-based soap (sabon bildi), sold by weight in Medina shops. On sale at the same shops, you’ll find kiis flannel gloves, a fine mud (ghasoul), used by some instead of shampoo, pumice stones (hazra) for removing dead skin, and alum (chebba), used as an antiperspirant and to stop shaving cuts from bleeding.
