Tips for women travelers in Morocco
I'd like to pass on the only foolproof way to discourage young men
from bothering me in the streets of Morocco.
I lived there for 2 1/2 years and found the only way to get
persistent "drageurs" from hitting on me was to say (in French, but
English would probably work, too) "My husband is Moroccan and he
doesn't want me to talk to men in the street." Apparently, this plays
on fear (of reprisal should hubby find out) and chivalry (here's a
good woman trying to do right by her hubby). Works like a charm.
Although it pained me as a feminist to use this technique as I was in
effect relying on an (absent) male to rescue me, it was so convenient
and non-confrontational, I just swallowed my pride and used it anyway.
Incidentally, I married an older, Moroccan ex-"drageur", so for me it
wasn't always a lie! Also, he liked this technique because he still
feels sorry for the young men who have no job or hope for a job and
therefore have nothing better to do than try to get lucky with
Western women. This technique is easy on their feelings.
Katherine
P.S.
No, I didn't meet my husband in the streets. He was my student in an
advanced English class I was teaching.
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