Morocco # English board

Hello Everyone,

I want to first say that I am very impressed with all I have read about Morocco and its culture. Before I had gotten involved with a man from Marrakesh I didn't know anything about Morocco nor where it is located.

I do have some questions and maybe concerns:

How do people in Morocco feel about african american females?
How do Moroccan's feel about interracial dating and marriages?
Do Moroccan's become engaged before they marry and if so how long?
Do Moroccan's really think that all americans are rich?

Are Moroccan men really looking to marry american women so that they can come to the US?

Are Moroccan men abusive?

Do Moroccan men treat women as their equal?

I have asked my boyfriend the same questions however I am interested in other's views.

I have been reading hours upon hours about Morocco, Marrakesh and Amighz (hope I didn't spell it wrong). I am really fascinated in learning more about Morocco and its culture from people that have experienced Morocco in any form.

I will be there in 5 weeks and I can't wait to see my boyfriend and Morocco and its glory.

Is there any advise that you can give me that I really need to know?

Thats it for now. I will take any comments be it good or bad.

Thanks
(Morocco Bound :-))

Morocco's African roots are deep and solidly ingrained in history, you will notice that the African flavor of Morocco is ostensible once you get around the country.

Hi,

I would say just be your self....natural as much as you can....tray to understand the culture and the traditions.....and if you can see the positive side of the country you will have great time...

Regarding your questions if Moroccan men are abusive?, want married American women only to get American visa or if they treat women as their equal?.... you can’t generalize because every where there is good and bad people.....tray to observe and to talk to the people around you to get an idea about Moroccan mentality maybe you will find answer for your questions....

But in my opinion the most important is to find out how your boyfriend things about you....


Good luck anyway and have lovely time in Morocco....

hi....will try to answer to your question but before let's start with a little summury...as one has mentioned Morocco's root in Africa are very old and solid and the interaction is more than present but felt in every way of the Moroccan way of living. To give you some examples, you can find Moroccan saints respected and followed by Millions in other african countries like in Senegal...also many Africans live in Morocco either students or working or married to Moroccans and if you go only south you will see that the African way and tradition is kmerged to the Arabic, berner and occidental way.
Now your questions:
How do people in Morocco feel about african american females?
same as any other female, as long as people are natural not waering a mask we love them and that's the nature of Moroccan people

How do Moroccan's feel about interracial dating and marriages?
as any locale marriage, in Morocco we have blacks and white (if you want to call Moroccans white) and their wasn't a single conflict during all our history...real brotherhood and when it comes to marriage colour isn't an issue

Do Moroccan's become engaged before they marry and if so how long?
As long as they want and the shorter they want it...just a matter of having everything ready and this goes from organising the weading to having the house and everything else ready

Do Moroccan's really think that all americans are rich?
Nop...at all....we know that in the states their are many poor people...

Are Moroccan men really looking to marry american women so that they can come to the US?
Maybe...but again it's up to your feelings and no one can answer this question for you except your heart and how you feel about your boyfriend

Are Moroccan men abusive?
In general no...but the exceptiosn states the rule...so you might see abusive Moroccans...to be honnest I live in Ireland and I have seen more abusive men in this country in few years more than what I have seen in my country for my life


Do Moroccan men treat women as their equal?
I really think so...but that's my personal opinion....new generations are very different now and they enjoy the company of the other half based on love and understanding

good luck and if you ever stay with him and get married...let us know, also some pictures from the wedding will be great :-)

I hope we can hear about Moroccobound visit to morocco,
anyone knows?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/2005 08:57 by almotanabi.

First, I would like to thank everyone that had applied to my post. I am sorry for not saying thank you earlier.

I will be in Morocco in 12 days and I am so very much looking forward to it. My friend and his family have been wonderful people to me so far, they have even learned a little english in order to communicate with me. Thus, I have learn some french in order to communicate with them. I will be more than happy to share my experience of being in Morocco.

Again thank for the replies.

Moroccobound.

Hello Moroccobound; welcome to Morocco.
I hope you'll like your stay and that you'll find the answers you're looking for, also I should add that I share the views with Romuse, and as in any country on Earth there's good and bad people. I wish you good luck of finding the right person to marry.
Moroccans are Africans and Muslims so there no diffrence between Black,White,Red or Yellow; As long it's a human being
I live in Boston, Mass and I'm a citizen of the USA so am i a Morccan American or African American? I guess they both go for me

Have fun in Morocco.



Wafine.

Hello Everyone,

I am in Morocco now. I have been having a wonderful time so far except for the heat. Yes it is very hot for me here. My boyfriend and his family have treated me with nothing but kindness. I have gotten to see 2 weddings so far, they have been very interesting. I have also gotten to see a man and his family take gifts to his future wife. The people that I have meet have been very nice to me even thought I don't speak french or arabic. :-)


I have visited Essaouria that was very nice however the water was to cold for me to go swimming.


I have gotten a little sick while I have been here. I am feeling better now.

I will write more later. Thanks to all of you kind people that have written to me.

Take care
Moroccobound.

Moroccobound, I wish I could be with you guys, enjoy you stay there.

Hello Moroccobond

Firstly sorry for my english !
I m french !

I want to ask a question ? What do you think about Malcolm X ?

Thanks

can I ask you a question ?

why the majority of African american do not give good tips at restaurants ?

Moroccobound a écrit:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I want to first say that I am very impressed with
> all I have read about Morocco and its culture.
> Before I had gotten involved with a man from
> Marrakesh I didn't know anything about Morocco nor
> where it is located.
>
> I do have some questions and maybe concerns:
>
> How do people in Morocco feel about african
> american females?
> How do Moroccan's feel about interracial dating
> and marriages?
> Do Moroccan's become engaged before they marry and
> if so how long?
> Do Moroccan's really think that all americans are
> rich?
>
> Are Moroccan men really looking to marry american
> women so that they can come to the US?
>
> Are Moroccan men abusive?
>
> Do Moroccan men treat women as their equal?
>
> I have asked my boyfriend the same questions
> however I am interested in other's views.
>
> I have been reading hours upon hours about
> Morocco, Marrakesh and Amighz (hope I didn't spell
> it wrong). I am really fascinated in learning
> more about Morocco and its culture from people
> that have experienced Morocco in any form.
>
> I will be there in 5 weeks and I can't wait to see
> my boyfriend and Morocco and its glory.
>
> Is there any advise that you can give me that I
> really need to know?
>
> Thats it for now. I will take any comments be it
> good or bad.
>
> Thanks
> (Morocco Bound :-))

19bi7 a ecrit: can I ask you a question ?
why the majority of African american do not give good tips at restaurants ?

This again one comment that is nothing but a lie with a scent of racism, it’s like after someone reads the yabiladi forums, sees that some comment are not polite and ask why are Moroccans so dump and impolite? which would not be fair, since the majority are polite and smart people.
This is a new person on our English forum you’re asking, she is visiting our country and requesting simply that we give her some tips, not quiz her about who malcom X was, restaurant tips and or inflation in Mongolia. Do you think these are comments that make any of us look smart and open minded?. There are African Americans who do not give a damn about X and there are others who see in him a leader. There are Americans white, yellow, green, and orange who do not give "good” tips and yet you choose to separate African American with this bad comment and tasteless question, it could be the way you perceive and treat them. Do all Moroccans brush their teeth?, do all of them go to mosque?, do they know how to write and read?, do they all respect women? are they civilized and polite, by the way if we were, not many of us will choose to leave and work as waiters in restaurant where “African Americans” won’t give us tips…
Racism comes in many faces, but it always starts with a simple prejudice…
Read what romuse, wafine, Soprano, LotfiLotfi and Ilhem2 wrote, that’s what this women wanted from us, Help, not insult.
Salaam,




Edited 9 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/2005 05:28 by almotanabi.

19bi7
What makes you ask this question ?

Moroccobound a écrit:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I am in Morocco now. I have been having a
> wonderful time so far except for the heat. Yes it
> is very hot for me here. My boyfriend and his
> family have treated me with nothing but kindness.
> I have gotten to see 2 weddings so far, they have
> been very interesting. I have also gotten to see
> a man and his family take gifts to his future
> wife. The people that I have meet have been very
> nice to me even thought I don't speak french or
> arabic. :-)
>
>
> I have visited Essaouria that was very nice
> however the water was to cold for me to go
> swimming.
>
>
> I have gotten a little sick while I have been
> here. I am feeling better now.
>
> I will write more later. Thanks to all of you
> kind people that have written to me.
>
> Take care
> Moroccobound.

Dear Moroccobound,
We're waiting to hear about your visit and how it went, don't let us wait too long...did you learn how to make Couscous by yourself now..lol
Take care,

experience showed me that,


i realised that by a majority of fact !


i wont say it is racism, eventough they dont tip well (by majority) they are more "human" than others, indeed, they have their charm, the one embedded by fraternity. and it was a plaisure working with them


with their famous (brother) i really apreciated it !



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/2005 09:07 by l9bi7.

I9bi7,

You make African Americans see like we are a special group of human beings. I am glad that you see that we are part of the human race. I agree with some of the other comments. African Americans are not the only people that dont tip.

I can not speak for all Afrian Americans I can only speak for myself. I tip if I fill I am getting GOOD service. There are times that I tip but it is not in a way someone wants me to. My friends tip every time we go out (once a month) to eat.

Let me clear up another misconceptions. Not all americans are rich.

You asked me about Malcom X, I don't have an opinion of him one way or another.

I have a question to ask you. Do you have any African American Friends or have you ever had a sit down conversatons?

I am going to close with this. If you don't know something about something please get some answers before you start assuming things. That is what I did before I left to go to Morocco. I asked questions based on things I have read from other people.

Almot thanks for your comments. :-)

My Moroccan Experience.

First I want to thank everyone for you kind words.

I was very hot there. I had a hard time dealing with the heat. If I was home I would be under an air conditioner. :-) But the fans and showers helped.

The food was okay, I am not use to eating 5 times a day but I tried to do what I could. :-)

My now fiance and his family were wonderful to me. They accepted me into their homes and treated my like a family memeber. When I got sick my fiance was right there although he had to go back and forth from his sisters and family home to take care of his sick mother. I was really bad off at one time and Mom even came to see about me.

I visited Essouri, Ourika and Au jidia (I spelled it wrong). These places contributed to me getting sick because I was not prepared for the cool nights and I did not have the clothes for the coolness. I had to work with my Fiance on our traveling and me taking the proper clothing. :-)

I also went to the Jemme (Marrakech) and the Menara which were very nice.

The only thing that I was not prepared for was the bathrooms (mainly a toliet). I was also very surprised that I had a hard time finding COLD DRINKS. Most of the time when we got something to drink is was just at the chill point.

Yes I has henna'd everywhere as part of the family acceptance and the engagement. Most of the americans are looking at me strange because I have it on the palms of my hand. Speaking of Henna, could someone please tell me what does the eye mean?

I will be going back in 2007 sometime to have a moroccan wedding if my fiance can get to the US next year. We will get married here first.

Can someone please give me some kind words of encouragement while I go thru this visa process?

If anyone is here in the US from Morocco could you also give me some advise as to help my fiance find work when he gets here or tell me what is the procedure would be before we get married for him to be able to work legally here.

I will send pictures of my trip if you would like to see them, you will have to send me your email address.


Bonjour
Kathy

all right, and me i have based my comment on my own experience, sorry if it does hurt, but yes i do have a african american teacher, who is a really good helping friend, I know personally his wife, his daughter, we had been invited into his house for a dinner, we exchanged gifts ... well i can tell u he is good as a person, really nice and i am thankful to him for his friendship.

he is not poor, actually he is the kind of univ. teachers who teach for plaisur, he has his own biz but when it comes to tip, it is like a principle ! they dont tip well.


He can give u food for free all the stuff, but not give u tip


sorry to bother, it was not an insult, not my 2 cents but i tought it was cultural or something, i could not asked him personally cause I was kind of hesitating, but here it is more open, i wanted to know, i wanted to learn. I do have habits even if they can be perceived wrongly , but i should be able to explain.

It is all about perception, and trust me , i did not meant to hurt and thanks for the heads up

khaty i discovered one good thing about henna if u wanna explain the henna phenomenon to an american, suggest him venice beach in california, los angeles, I was amazed they do henna tatoos by the same way we do back in morocco.



the eye mainly means u are protected from bad intentions, bad souls and ppl who want to make u harm, it is like an eye which is keeping you protected

l9bi7 a écrit:
-------------------------------------------------------
> all right, and me i have based my comment on my
> own experience, sorry if it does hurt, but yes i
> do have a african american teacher, who is a
> really good helping friend, I know personally his
> wife, his daughter, we had been invited into his
> house for a dinner, we exchanged gifts ... well i
> can tell u he is good as a person, really nice and
> i am thankful to him for his friendship.
>
> he is not poor, actually he is the kind of univ.
> teachers who teach for plaisur, he has his own biz
> but when it comes to tip, it is like a principle !
> they dont tip well.
>
>
> He can give u food for free all the stuff, but not
> give u tip
>
>
> sorry to bother, it was not an insult, not my 2
> cents but i tought it was cultural or something, i
> could not asked him personally cause I was kind of
> hesitating, but here it is more open, i wanted to
> know, i wanted to learn. I do have habits even if
> they can be perceived wrongly , but i should be
> able to explain.
>
> It is all about perception, and trust me , i did
> not meant to hurt and thanks for the heads up
>
>
>
>
> ***
> Sans mentir, si votre ramage
> Se rapporte à votre plumage,
> Vous êtes le Phénix des hôtes de ces bois.



My feelings aren't hurt. I am rather use to people thinking these things. But I do have a questions for you. Do you provide good service to the african american as well as everyone else that you serve? Maybe we should look at ourselves to see if we are contributing to the lack of response we are looking for.

I am good and thanks for the explaination about the eye.


Kathy

This is my first day here.I have read all the comments on this page and I think it is necessary to have the discussions a good way of help and giving tips and information about cultures or angthing that comes in mind that rises up a question.
As was told the Henna Eye on the Palm of the hand is carry on protection from devil people.The one that would harm you (somehow)by starring and feeling jalous of you.
Once you get Married, you will have to file a form I-140 (petition for your husband based on Marriage to US citizen.Along with it you enclose a biography of each of you.Two passport pictures of each of you.a copy of marriage certificate.your birth certificate and his (translated to English) and fees by money order.I don't know what state are you in but if you are in New Englad you need to file that at the head office of Vermont.I would assume the approx time of approval is up to one year.
you can also refer to Immigration main website at :
[www.uscis.org]
only when that is approved you will then need to file the employment Authorisation form ( I-751 i think)so that he can work legally in the states and get his employment card.
I am hoping that previous lines would help.Thanks

This is my first day here.I have read all the comments on this page and I think it is necessary to have the discussions as a good way of help and giving tips and information about cultures or angthing that comes in mind that rises up a question.
As was told the Henna Eye on the Palm of the hand is carry on protection from devil people.The one that would harm you (somehow)by starring and feeling jalous of you.
Once you get Married, you will have to file a form I-140 (petition for your husband based on Marriage to US citizen.Along with it you enclose a biography of each of you.Two passport pictures of each of you.a copy of marriage certificate.your birth certificate and his (translated to English) and fees by money order.I don't know what state are you in but if you are in New Englad you need to file that at the head office of Vermont.I would assume the approx time of approval is up to one year.
you can also refer to Immigration main website at :
[www.uscis.org]
only when that is approved you will then need to file the employment Authorisation form ( I-751 i think)so that he can work legally in the states and get his employment card.
I am hoping that previous lines would help.
Thank you all guys.

PS: Glad you had a great time in Morocco.

salam everyone,


almotanabi a écrit:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 19bi7 a ecrit: can I ask you a question ?
> why the majority of African american do not give
> good tips at restaurants ?
>
> This again one comment that is nothing but a lie
> with a scent of racism, it’s like after someone
> reads the yabiladi forums, sees that some comment
> are not polite and ask why are Moroccans so dump
> and impolite? which would not be fair, since the
> majority are polite and smart people.
> This is a new person on our English forum you’re
> asking, she is visiting our country and requesting
> simply that we give her some tips, not quiz her
> about who malcom X was, restaurant tips and or
> inflation in Mongolia. Do you think these are
> comments that make any of us look smart and open
> minded?. There are African Americans who do not
> give a damn about X and there are others who see
> in him a leader. There are Americans white,
> yellow, green, and orange who do not give "good”
> tips and yet you choose to separate African
> American with this bad comment and tasteless
> question, it could be the way you perceive and
> treat them. Do all Moroccans brush their teeth?,
> do all of them go to mosque?, do they know how to
> write and read?, do they all respect women? are
> they civilized and polite, by the way if we were,
> not many of us will choose to leave and work as
> waiters in restaurant where “African Americans”
> won’t give us tips…
> Racism comes in many faces, but it always starts
> with a simple prejudice…
> Read what romuse, wafine, Soprano, LotfiLotfi and
> Ilhem2 wrote, that’s what this women wanted from
> us, Help, not insult.
> Salaam,
>
>
> Almot
>

almotanabi,

thanks a lot for your words.....I very much respect people who has a sense of loyalty and justice toward everyone no matter where he/she is from and even if it hurts....





Kathy ,

congratulations for your engagement and I’m glad that you liked my country...


wish you all the best for your wedding....

Moroccobound a écrit:

> My feelings aren't hurt. I am rather use to
> people thinking these things. But I do have a
> questions for you. Do you provide good service to
> the african american as well as everyone else that
> you serve? Maybe we should look at ourselves to
> see if we are contributing to the lack of response
> we are looking for.
>
> I am good and thanks for the explaination about
> the eye.
>
>
> Kathy


Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express my point of view about this issue.

You know when I, as a driver, am giving service (known as delivery) I feel like robotic, here is the basic senario.


Me : Hello, how are u today ?
Customer : good thanks and you ?

ME: I am doing fine, thanks

...


have a good evening,
"you do the same"


that's the typical senario that happens with customers, but with you, i feel more warm in the conversation than the other because you employ some word that can engage conversation (and thus communication), they, others (to be less intrusive) are just mechanic, and I am telling you, my best professor and my best friend is an afro american, who loves moroccans


When talking about tips, I did not mean to make it relative to any other caracteristic. and this does not interfer in anyway with my respect that I give to all people.

Well as a driver, I am commited to serve fresh, hot and well packed food to the consumer in a timely manner. Backed by an average of 3 accidents a year

Best regards.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2005 05:37 by l9bi7.

Well i am driver, and i work in a restaurant, not because I dont brush my teeth or something like that. I do work for the seek of work, support myself and learn.


and other thing : innama l2arza9o biyadi lah

many of us are cab drivers in morocco, and they have good education, just lacked a chance. whatever it is, I wont see an insult troughout what you said brother almotanabi, as long as I dont deliver something against my principles, as long as I work following my principles, and as long as I get rizk al halal

My dear friend 19bi7,
I have no doubt in my mind that you are not a racist, haacha lillah, I’m 100% sure that you cannot be one, you are a Moroccan just like me, and we simply can’t be racists. Because we, who experience racism, some of us on daily basis, know very well how much it hurts and how much damage it creates. Therefore we should be the first to raise the flag for the first sign of prejudice that we see. I'm sure there are as many black bad tippers as whites. What I said in response to your remark my friend, and I hope you believe me, was not intended as an insult toward you, hacha lillah, I would’ve said the same if it was my real brother who said that and not you. And if you read some other posts of mine on yabiladi, I said the same when someone says something hurtful about Doukkali, chelh, fassi, noir and others, it’s just not right. And we all should refuse to engage in prejudice and stereotyping each other.
And I’m sure you also know that if there’s a list of groups of people who were historically so discriminated against, so abused, and so dehumanized, African Americans will be on top of the list, not only that, but other groups got the help to erase their historical wrong, but not this group, yet.
My dear friend 19bi7, rest assured that I will never, not even for a moment think that you are anything but a good guy, but I wish we open our arms wider to our new friends in this forum without any questioning that could make some of them feel uneasy about staying amongst us, other groups may find it hard to do but not us, Moroccans, simply because hospitality is in our blood and part of who we are, that never change whether we live in morocco, Europe or the USA.
I made many wrong remarks on yabiladi in the past and I’m sure I will make some more in the future, sometimes they were just not right, or not well measured, and thank god, there was always someone to remind me to reconsider or to be little more polite, and I was always thankful to them. I hope you see my remark just like that and nothing more. But if you do see it otherwise, then please accept my sincere apologies.
Salaam,





Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2005 05:26 by almotanabi.

no problem brother.

La9ad karrama laho man 3arafa 9adrah

God may bless u all.

whenever you go there are bad and good people no matter their race.

I need some help.

Can someone please tell me where in the United States I can get traditional Moroccan wedding dresses made or to be purchased? Can someone tell me what kinds of tradtions can I incorporate into my american wedding? I am already looking at henna cake. Do Moroccians send out wedding invitations? Are there any stores or website in the US that may cater to a Moroccan wedding? Any information would be appreciated.

Does anyone know of a support group for Moroccan Men especially coming and coping with being in America?

Thanks :-)

Hello
I have read your story with interest and congratulations!!Unfortunatly I don not live in the states but in Europe, so I cannot help you with adresses etc. Here in Europe we are used to the mix of tradional moroccan weddings with European traditions. Just let me know if you would like to know more about this. I love to help.