Customer Reviews

Cultureshock Morocco (Cultureshock Morocco: A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book provides a detailed description of modern Moroccan culture for those from Western backgrounds trying to make sense of Moroccan values, behavior, and daily life. The content is explained well and easy to read, although the type face is rather small.

I enjoyed every page of this book. From the very complete but to the point review of Morocco's history and cultural foundations to the sectoion on language and helpful words and phrases.

I read the book in my first 10 days in Morocco and I felt I understood much more was I was seeing, hearing and experiencing.

This was my first experience with Culture Shock books and I am definitely interested in reading the volumes on other countries!

My wife and I came to live in Morocco, in Rabat, two years ago after I retired from the practice of law in Chicago. I recently reread the book. I enjoyed it even more upon rereading it. The authort approaches Morocco with sympathy and understanding. But at the same time, he does a terrific job of explaining the ways in which Moroccans behave differently from people who have come from an Anglo-Saxon culture. Those differences can be very frustrating for us "Anglo-Saxons." His insights into Moroccans' attitudes and customs are excellent. The analysis he gives is very much in accord with our experiences during the last two years.

We like to be respectful when we travel, and this book was very helpful in Morocco, which has a very different culture than our own. I didn't read the book cover to cover, but just glancing through it made our trip better, as we understood more.

I learned a vast amount about Morocco with this, and it gave me a great deal of insight into my relationship with my Moroccan fiancee. However, the author does make some broad statements that do not cover all of Morocco. He seems to write from a Fassi point of view, which is very different from, for example, a Ribati persons sentiments'. There is a large spectrum of difference in Moroccan people. These differences can even be seen between neighboring cities, but for the most part the author captured the general feeling of the culture. I would recommend this before visiting Morocco or just for an interesting look into a very different culture.

We bought his book for our parents before we moved to Morocco. It taught me the lesson that you should always read a book like this before you give it as a gift. My dad was terrified that I was taking my family to Morocco. He was nervous that we would all be taking showers at the public bath and living without toilets.

If someone were to ask you to describe America in one short book it would be quite the difficult undertaking. This review is written with that in mind. I, a Texan, would probably give a totally different picture of America than someone that lives in a city like New York. This book seems to make some pretty broad statements and attempt to cover the whole culture. Morocco is rich with diversity and has a lush village culture and thriving cities. The book has some great info, but keep in mind that it is coming from one perspective. It is impossible to describe a whole culture in such a short book. On any given day I see people in the streets of Morocco that are dirt poor and believe in magic and witch doctors. At the same time there are people in Morocco that are wealthier than any of the people I know in America and have very Western mind sets.

So again, this is a great read and can get you some starting points, but know that it is not a full anthropological guide.

I'm a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in rural Morocco from 2007-2009. This is the book I used to prepare for my trip, and it's extremely effective for doing so. The author's grasp of the culture, languages, and simply "how Morocco works" will give you a far better appreciation of the country whether you're there for 2 years or just a short visit.

Have just finished reading Cultureshock Morocco and found it to be just what we were looking for. Rich in detail about the country, its people and culture, it will be a valuable guide to anyone travelling to Morocco for work or pleasure.

The book provides a nicely balanced perspective on cultural norms, without passing judgement from a western perspective. It provides pragmatic approaches to some of the challenges that westerners may face to enable them to enjoy their experience at more than a superficial level, and not feel guilty if they do not wish to adopt the romantic sterotype of a culturally immersed foreigner in what is, afterall, a very diverse country.

I enjoyed reading this book for my upcoming travels to Morocco. I did receive valuable insight on the the vast cultural differences in addition to learning how to effectively negotiate deals in the market; however, for traveling purposes there was too much superfluous information on living in Morocco. So, if you are going for a short visit pick up Rick Steve's Morocco instead.

Culture Shock! Morocco is a wonderful guide the history, culture, customs and etiquette of Morocco. It's very important to respect the people and cultural norms of a country when we travel there. In addition, as a woman traveling to Morocco, I wanted to understand that most respectful ways to dress and behave. This guide gives me the tools to do just that. I highly recommend.