Social & Cultural
The unwritten rules — what's expected, what's rude, what's illegal, and what's just different.
- Is it rude to refuse tea?Tea is a social contract.
- What should I wear?Shoulders and knees covered.
- Can I photograph people?Ask first.
- Can you show affection in public?Hand-holding, yes. Kissing, no — for everyone, married or not.
- Is Morocco safe for LGBTQ+ visitors?Visitors come in numbers and incidents are rare — but same-sex acts are illegal, so discretion is the operating rule.
- Should you remove shoes?In homes, riad living areas, and mosques — yes. The row of shoes at the door is the sign.
- Why does time work differently here?Two systems running at once.
- Why does everyone want cash?Card acceptance is patchy.
- How does bargaining work?Expected in souks, not everywhere.
- Why does everyone ask where I'm from?Conversational opener, not interrogation.
- Why do people stare?Curiosity, not hostility.
- How much do I tip?Small, frequent, in coins. About 10 percent at restaurants.
- Why are men holding hands?Friendship. It's not romantic.
- What language should I speak?French in cities. English in tourist places. A few words of Darija opens doors.
- Can I bring cedar, fossils, or antiques home?Cedar yes, common fossils mostly yes, anything genuinely old no.