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So You've Decided To Work In Morocco
garroad_ran
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Yup. I'm taking a contract to play (music, that is) at a couple of hotels in Morocco for four months starting in late February.
I'm wondering if anyone might have any experience living/working/visiting the country, and any tips on stuff that I should expect to be surprised by. I don't have any specific questions really, just wondering if anyone who's been there can give me the heads up about cultural differences that I should be aware of, tips on haggling, etc.
I'm wondering if anyone might have any experience living/working/visiting the country, and any tips on stuff that I should expect to be surprised by. I don't have any specific questions really, just wondering if anyone who's been there can give me the heads up about cultural differences that I should be aware of, tips on haggling, etc.
garroad_ran on
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I would learn "The Watch on the Rhine", "La Marseillaise", "As time Goes By," and "It Had to be You" just for good measure...
If you're going to Marrakesh I can help you out a bit more.
My french is... meh. It's enough to get me by, but by no means fluent.
I'm going to be in Casablanca for two months, and Agadir for two months.
First off, when you're walking down Market Lane, every motherfucker and his son are going to try and get you to come into their shop-pretty much by any means possible. It could be "why dont you come in and sign my guestbook?! It'll be quick!" to "Come into my shop and I'll give you business card!" Pretty much if anyone approaches you while you're walking around stores is just trying to get you into their shop, no matter what.
Generally, though, haggling starts out like this-you'll ask the shopkeeper how much for something, he'll start out high, and you should go low-the point is to meet somewhere in the middle. If you think a price is too high just walk right the fuck out of his shop and tell him no-he'll usually get more aggressive and even try and chase you for the deal. If you do decide on a deal, you will most likely shake on it-keep in mind, do NOT shake if you are not interested in what he's selling. Shaking is the end, and if you try to get out of a deal after you've shook-good luck, man. They get REALLY pissed.
Essentially just keep in mind that everybody is trying to rip you off as much as possible.
Also, although I'm not sure if the dialect for arabic is the same as it is in Egypt-a loud, aggressive LA! (it just means no.) usually gets them off your back. Don't get suckered into going into shops you dont want too, either. Thats pretty much all I can think of.
And tehkensai, thanks man, that's actually just the kind of info I was looking to get.
No problem man!
for your usage, here are a couple of arabic phrases(once again, not sure if this is just egypt dialect but it might work.)
Esmi <your name>(just "my name is <blank>)
Esmi ke? (What's your name?)
Latasha Rafna! (Honor to meet you!)
Maya Maya(good, very good!)
Saba Alkir (Good Morning!)
Mesa Alkir (Good Evening!)
That's all I can think about right now, but if you start off with stuff like that sometimes the arabic shopkeepers are impressed and try and give you discounts. Good luck!