Did you ever wonder what the “boys in blue” (that is, the faux Tuareg tribesmen) were saying about the visiting tourists?
Before I begin, these are stereotypes, so don’t send me a lot of blowsy indignant comments about your nationality and how your peeps are just not like that. I do not care. This is how people are viewed in Morocco by the tourism industry in general. And by that I mean the side businesses of tourism – all the things they’re trying to sell you while you’re there. Carpets, fossils, leather bags, guided walks in the medina, camel rides, you name it. I’ve learned these by eavesdropping at various places – hotels, carpet shops, L’Escale in Marrakech (where all the guides hang out), etc..
Dutch: Look-look no buy. (Said in a very bad Dutch impression, “kakey kakey nit koper”)
French: Comes on group tour for 300 euros inclusive and expects five star service.
American: Gullible, will buy almost anything.
German: Fat like Americans, do not buy anything.
Japanese: Cattle mentality, very demanding, buy rarely.
Spanish: Prefer to get drunk, don’t buy anything.
Italian: Like to sing songs, buy sometimes.
Swiss: Polite, buy occasionally, hard bargainers.
British: Look like Americans but have bad teeth, buy almost as much as them.
Moroccan: Worst kind of tourist to get, wants everything “gratis”
I’m not going to tell you my personal stereotypes regarding the above groups, but I will admit to favoring Dutch and Italian visitors, for reasons of my own. (entirely unrelated to their shopping habits)
Aimee
January 29, 2007 at 10:52 am
Too funny. I would admit that my friends (Americans – for your other readers) certainly fit the bill on buying everything including multiple rugs, leather jackets & bags, lamps, hookas (sp?). It was a joy lugging their stuff all over Morocco. I also learned from a couple riads that they are not so fond of the French tourists. At least, now I understand the stereotype a little better as to why.
Cat In Rabat
January 29, 2007 at 2:29 pm
How wonderful that the Canadians were spared!
Felix
January 29, 2007 at 3:11 pm
I tried to think of something for the Canadians, but you’re pretty laid back, polite folks – I guess I could have mentioned all the Americans who pretend to be Canadians!
Paul O Mahony
January 29, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Lucky for you, you didn’t mention the irish either;-) I have an opera clip ready to post on my blog if you do, featuring an opera singer stabbing a men next to a dinner table. Ring any bells? It’s very dramatic;-)
Bill Day
January 29, 2007 at 11:16 pm
I do not usually laugh at blog entries, but this was very funny.
Felix
January 29, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Paul – Well, I’ve only encountered one Irishman in Morocco (from Cork, no less) and I kidnapped him immediately and took him to the Gorge! I remember an old Agatha Christie story where an opera re-enactment ends with a murder…hm.
Bill – Glad to give someone a laugh today, it’s been rotten.
BO18
January 31, 2007 at 10:13 am
Hahaha the Dutch one is so funny!
“Kijken, kijken niet kopen!”
or “Allemachtig prachtig” (How beautiful) is one that is being used as well.
Morocco has to be very thankful that they mainly receive the civilized Dutch tourists.
Turkey receives a totally other kind of Dutch tourist. The “Russian” types. (stealing the whole buffet and singing very loudly while drunk)
eatbees
February 1, 2007 at 12:50 am
Excellent idea, eavesdropping like that. Now you could write a manual for tourists on how to turn the stereotypes around and manipulate their Moroccan hosts!
Have you heard the term 7oroto by the way? A friend of mine told me that I got called that once in the Fez medina. He was upset (with me) that I got called that. He explained it to mean falling-apart clothes and stingy with money, like “dirthead” or “hippy-ass freak.” Later I learned to dress a little better around the faux guides, so as to leave a better impression.
Felix
February 1, 2007 at 1:52 am
BO18 – Rude Dutch people? Really? [Must revise own stereotype]
EB- What I’d like to do is bridge the gap – trying to figure out how to make a living at that. That term sounds familiar, I’ll have to run it by Hamou tomorrow and see what he says…how funny!
Timzgida Ouftas
February 8, 2011 at 1:12 am
It’s beautiful place everybody loves Morocco!