Moroccan Etiquette Tips

1. Dress Attire

1. DO cover most parts of your body. They’re considered private. Especially for women, legs and shoulders should be covered. In the cities it won’t be a big issue though.
2. DO dress appropriate when visiting rural areas. People are more traditional than in cities.

2. Table Manners

1. DON'T eat with your left hand. This is considered unclean in Arabic countries.

3. Tipping

1. DO tip. Tipping is expected by waiters, museum curators, filling station attendants and porters who load your baggage onto buses. Tipping you taxi driver is not obligatory, but they do appreciate it of course.

4. Greetings

1. DO approach Moroccan people in a formal manner.
2. DON'T talk about the political situation in Western Sahara and Algeria. Also don’t talk about drugs.
3. DO greet with your right hand.
4. DO give kisses on the cheeks if it’s the same sex and you already know them better.
5. DO remove your shoes upon entering someone’s home.
6. DO shake someone's hand when greeting someone you haven't met before.
7. DO kiss on the cheek when greeting someone you've met before and upon departing. This type of greeting is traditional among and between both men and women.

5. Body Gestures

1. DON'T use your index finger to motion a person to approach you. This is considered very impolite.

6. Business Meetings

1. DO make appointments in advance. And confirm the made appointment one or two days in advance.
2. DON'T try to schedule a meeting on Friday between 11:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. Most companies are closed for prayers.
3. DO know that the business language is French. Some companies speak English.

7. Gift Giving and Accepting Gifts

1. DO bring sweet pastries, nuts, figs, dates or flowers to the hostess if you’re invited to a Moroccan home.
2. DO bring a small gift for the children.
3. DON'T bring alcohol unless you know your host(s) drink alcohol.
4. DON'T open gifts at the moment of you receiving them.

Moroccan people are very kind and helpful towards tourists. Most Morrocans are Muslim which means there are different rules/etiquettes to follow. But if you do so, you’re going to have a great holiday in Morocco!