Morocco Angela De Vega

Morocco Capital: Rabat Language: Arab Legislature - Parliament: Upper house - House of Councilors, Lower house - House of Representatives Total area - 446,550 km2 Population - 32,644,370

Currency Moroccan dirham – $1= 9.55

Culture Hospitable Very tolerant Take of your shoes when entering the house Eat the given pastries that were offered If a foreigner were invited by them, they must use their right hand since the left hand is used for the toilet.

Culture Kisses on the cheek is a form of greeting Declining to eat meat is considered rude Liver is the sign of love not the heart Women takes care of the household

People Ethnic Groups –Arab Berber: 99.1% –Jewish: 0.2% –Other: 0.7%

Berber a member of an indigenous people of North Africa. The majority of Berbers are settled farmers or (now) migrant workers. there are 12 to 15 million Berber speakers in morocco. 40 to 50% of the population

Religion Ramadan –It occurs 10 days each year –No during the day Drinking Eating Smoking 99% are Islamic Christian: 1.1% Jewish: 0.2% Pray 5 times a day Fridays are holly day and everything is close

Time 5 hour difference from U.S. Ex. –America: 9 a.m. –Morocco: 2 p.m.

Communication Official Language: Arabic Business Language: French Others: Berber,

Business Attire Need to dress formal and conservative –Men Dark colored conservative suits –Women Elegant business suits Must be carefully covered appropriately Skirts and dresses must cover the knee and sleeves must cover the arm Avoid wearing expensive accessories

Business Meeting Its traditional to handshake as a greeting between individual sex No schedules on Fridays between 11:15 a.m.- 3 a.m. Be on time

Gifts Bring sweets pastries, dates, flowers for the hostess if invited by a Moroccan’s home Gifts are can't be opened when you just received Small gift for the children is seen as a token of affection Gifts are not usually brought to a first business meeting

NOT TO DO Wearing revealing clothing may not be obscene in and of itself but it may provoke some obscene reactions. Never eat communal food with your left hand. Eating or drinking in public during Ramadan is extremely rude.

Resources ml ETHNIC-GROUPS.html co occo/culture-etiquette/