Quote:
Originally Posted by lallakahina
I second Mirabai's suggestions. As for dance, if you can manage it, get yourself invited to a wedding. There's not a place in the Arab world where that isn't a dance class in itself 
I'd say it's best to avoid talking to men (for directions, etc) and not even smile or make eye contact with them. Of all the Arab countries I've visited, Moroccan men are the most, um, annoying and persistant. Meeting women would be a great way to learn dancing, since it seems most Moroccan women have belly dancing in their blood! |
Many Moroccan women have their own dancing in their blood, definitely. I think most belly dancing is absorbed through Egyptian movies and other outside sources, though. That's the impression I got when I was there. I think it would be more worthwhile to learn about the local dances rather than the imported ones when you are there, but that's just my take on it.
But, yes, I agree with the other advice: do NOT look men in the eye if you do not want to do them, lest they think you want to do them. I'm talking about strangers, not necessarily people you might have to talk to, like store clerks and such. This is true in so many countries outside of Morocco, too.
Embrace your inner ice queen! Resist from smiling. You do NOT have to be nice to everyone
However, I had to love whenever a 7-year-old would give a passing female the requisite chorus of "Ca va? Ca va? Ca va?" They learn their gender roles pretty quickly over there. Cute.
On a side note, if you get invited to a segregated wedding, insist on visiting both sides of the party. It's definitely worth seeing