Morocco is a land of spectacular scenery, with a rich history, and heady with tantalizing scents and colorful sights. The call of the muezzin seems to draw people from every corner of the globe. In 1956 Morocco gained independence from French colonial rule and was jolted into the 20th century. Today it is a country in transition—a unique blend of Arab, African, and European ways of life. The teeming cities have an air of sophistication and joie de vivre, but life in rural areas has stayed much the same. And while the cities are highly westernized, tradition and religion still play a vital role in the everyday life of most people. With rapid change came problems. Lack of opportunity and high unemployment resulted in a “brain drain” as educated Moroccans made their way abroad, and a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam started gaining ground among the urban poor. Even so, as technology becomes widespread and the world shrinks further, Morocco today is coming into its own. Culture Smart! Morocco describes the way the country’s past has shaped its present, advising tourists and business travelers on what to expect and how to behave in different situations.
Author(s): Jillian York
Series: Culture Smart!
Edition: 2
Publisher: Kuperard
Year: 2018
Language: English
Pages: 169
Front Cover......Page 1
Title Page......Page 2
Copyright......Page 3
About the Author......Page 4
Contents......Page 5
Map of Morocco......Page 8
Introduction......Page 9
Key Facts......Page 11
• Geographical Snapshot......Page 13
• Climate......Page 15
• Cities......Page 16
• A Brief History......Page 21
• Contemporary Morocco......Page 34
• The Jewish Legacy......Page 36
• Language and Culture......Page 37
• Government......Page 39
• The Western Sahara......Page 40
• Relations with the West......Page 41
• The Arab Spring Protests......Page 42
• Islam as a Way of Life......Page 43
• Islamic Extremism......Page 46
• Education......Page 47
• Torn Between Cultures......Page 49
• Public Versus Private Sphere......Page 50
• Family First......Page 51
• Hshuma......Page 52
• Attitudes Toward Foreigners......Page 54
• Women In Society......Page 56
• Sexual Mores......Page 58
• National Holidays......Page 61
• Religious Holidays......Page 63
• Moussems......Page 68
• Festivals and Celebrations......Page 69
• Folklore and Mysticism......Page 73
• The Gender Divide......Page 75
• Forms Of Address......Page 77
• Hospitality and Invitations Home......Page 78
• Fitting In......Page 81
• Social Structure......Page 83
• Dress......Page 84
• Bargaining—A Way of Life......Page 89
• Standards of Living......Page 91
• Daily Life and Routine......Page 94
• Living Alone......Page 97
• Bureaucracy......Page 98
• Café Culture......Page 99
• The Promenade......Page 100
• Entertainment......Page 101
• Food and Drink......Page 104
• Shopping......Page 114
• The Hammam......Page 118
• Outdoors......Page 119
• Driving......Page 121
• Trains......Page 122
• Buses......Page 123
• Taxis, Big and Small......Page 124
• Air Travel......Page 126
• Where to Stay......Page 127
• Places to Visit......Page 129
• Health......Page 135
• Safety......Page 137
• The Business Culture......Page 139
• Hours and Schedules......Page 141
• Office Etiquette and Protocol......Page 142
• Leadership and Decision Making......Page 145
• Meetings and Negotiations......Page 146
• Women In Management......Page 149
• Candor and Cooperation......Page 150
• Foreign Investment......Page 151
• Language......Page 153
• Greetings......Page 154
• Body Language......Page 156
• Topics of Conversation......Page 158
• Services......Page 159
• The Media......Page 161
• Conclusion......Page 163
Appendix: Phonetic Guide to the Arabic Alphabet......Page 164
Further Reading......Page 165
Resources......Page 166
Index......Page 167
Acknowledgments......Page 169
