Culture Shock! Morocco: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Paperback)

~ (Author) "An orientation to Morocco must begin with geography..." (more)
Key Phrases: Moroccan Arabic, Middle Atlas, Western Sahara (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Orin Hargraves, author of Culture Shock! Morocco knows whereof he speaks. As a Peace Corps volunteer to that North African country in the early 1980s, he learned firsthand about the customs and culture in the Maghreb. Hargraves covers the bases with a basic but thorough overview of Moroccan history, geography, and politics. He delves into the psychological and cultural mores of the Moroccan people, from their attitudes about men, women, and family to their views on homosexuality, hospitality, and religion. The areas for potential misunderstanding between western visitors and Moroccans soon become clear, and Hargraves does his best to offer clear explanations of Moroccan thought and behavior.

Chapters on intangibles, such as friendship, world view, and relations between the sexes are followed by practical dos and don'ts for living in the country. In "Communicating in Morocco," Hargraves gives readers a mini-Arabic lesson. in "Where the Guest Is King," he suggests pacing for the many courses likely to be set before a guest at a Moroccan dinner party and other important tips for how to eat from a communal bowl. He gives advice on finding housing, conducting business, and even how to spend leisure time. Though Culture Shock! Morocco is primarily intended for people making a lengthy stay in Morocco, it also makes a terrific introduction to the country for anyone planning to visit there. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

You'll never feel intimidated and awkward about the customs and etiquette of another country again. With the insights provided in this CULTURE SHOCK! Guide, you'll learn to see beyond the stereotypes and misinformation that often precede a visit to a foreign land. Whether you plan to stay for a week or for a year, you'll benefit from such topics as understanding the rules of driving and monetary systems, religious practices and making friends. There are tips on political traditions, building business relationships, and the particular intricacies of setting up a home or office. Great for the business traveler, the foreign exchange student, or the tourist who makes a sincere attempt to cross the bridge into a new and exciting culture. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Bravo Limited; Revised edition (January 1, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 1857331443
• ISBN-13: 978-1857331448
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,775,534 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great insider information on how to get along, October 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Culture Shock! Morocco (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette) (Paperback)

I wish that I had a copy of this book five years ago! My wife is from Morocco, I've traveled there several times and stayed with her traditional Moroccan family - and lived elsewhere in the Middle East a total of four years. This book really could have made me worry less about committing cultural blunders had I had it sooner. Unlike many "insider" guides, this book's author really knows what he's talking about. His insights, observations and advice are keen and accurate - unlike so many other books that deal with the often misunderstood cultures of the Arab/Muslim World and are so often plagued with ignorance and stereotypes. I would highly recommended this book to anyone traveling to Morocco who is going to be dealing with Moroccans on a personal or business basis. The book covers everything from the religious views and mentality of the people to their sexual attitudes and about everything else in between - including just general good manners. I especially like the "test" section where the author describes a difficult situation that one may be caught in (such as your host continually demanding that you eat more) and then gives three or four multiple-choice options. The situations were so well chosen and the answers so accurate and well thought-out that my wife and I actually got a good laugh out of most of them. I could almost say that a typical tourist could probably do without this book, since much of it deals with situations that most tourists who stay at a hotel, and just go shopping and sight-seeing, will never encounter. However, after witnessing first-hand all to often the cultural insensitivity of my fellow American countrymen and women, I think that reading this book could certainly promote more open-minded thinking and understanding. At the least, it will certainly enhance one's understanding of Morocco and its people. I was so impressed with this book that I plan on getting copies for my sister and any other relatives who plan to visit Morocco with me. It'll certainly help them out.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST for anyone going to or interested in Morocco, November 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Culture Shock! Morocco (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette) (Paperback)

In anticipation of accompanying my close Moroccon friend to his homeland on a business trip with another American, I read this book in one sitting and read it twice more before leaving for Morocco. It proved to be an invaluable tool to better understanding my Moroccan friend here in the states and it provided knowledge, information and tips that proved priceless during my recent stay in Morocco. I have no doubt that had I not read this book, I would have had a very different experience. This book enabled me to have the most incredible travel experience of my life despite the fact that I don't speak arabic or french. At the very least I had an understanding of this wonderfully rich culture steeped in tradition. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Morocco whether for travelling or simply interested in the country, their people and customs. While this book is ideal for someone relocating, I found it to be more useful than any of the other travel companions I purchased for my trip. Any future travel plans of mine will start with a purchase of "Culture Shock..." for that country.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone living with a Moroccan or in Morocco, December 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Culture Shock! Morocco (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette) (Paperback)

I have spent 3 summers in Morocco and 5 years with my husband who is Moroccan and this book clarified a lot aspects of Moroccan life for me. No matter how objective one may be about cultural differences, it helps to have a neutral party explain what is happening in a given interaction. I didn't even realize how much I suffered from culture shock until I read "Culture Shock!" Particually helpful were the author's comments on the difference in Western and Eastern concepts of personal space, public space and privacy.