Morocco Culture

Morocco Culture

by Mamia

Hi Sharon

what is Morocco's cultural resume?

Thanks
Mamia

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Morocco Culture

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Great things to know
by: Mamia ben

Thank you so much for your help

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Morocco's Culture
by: Sharon - Expats Guide

Thanks for your inquiry. Here are some insights into Morocco's culture:

Morocco is a very hierarchal society - a huge gap exists between the rich and the poor and there is a very small middle class.

At the top class there is the king and the royal family, government members, wealthy Moroccans, merchants, and owners of large manufacturing, industrial and international trading companies.

The upper middle and middle class consists of professionals that were educated in Europe, Sherfa class (claim descent from the prophet Muhammad and do not work).

Lower class are Berber farmers and sub-Saharan black Africans.

Social class is very important in Morocco and even affects the hiring process. People are often hired through networking and through deals made under the table.

The status of men is higher than that of women in almost every aspect of life. Most women remain in the private domestic places. Life is socially and economically difficult for single uneducated women.

When meeting Moroccans you should shake hands with women unless the woman offers you her cheek. In this case, you may kiss her on alternating cheeks three times. And when speaking with men, it is better to keep direct eye contact, as looking away is an indication that you are not in agreement with the other person or that you are in thought.

Moroccans use facial expressions instead of words to express when something is too much, when they know that someone is exaggerating, or to say that they have not been understood correctly. Hand gestures are used a lot and Moroccans do not always say what they are thinking in a straightforward manner.

Meetings quite often do not start on time and people quite frequently are 30-45 minutes late for a meeting.

Negotiations, particularly when discussing pricing, may take quite some time. Always negotiate product prices before buying anything. Many times you can even bring the prices down by 50%.

Sensitive subjects in a conversation are the king, Islam and women rights.

Education is mandatory for boys and girls from age 7 to 13. Girls are often taken out of school to assist with the house work. Elementary schools teach in Arabic until the third grade, when education becomes bilingual in both French and Arabic.

Typical Moroccan dishes include couscous, tagine, and pastille.

For more information about Moroccan culture check out the following books.

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