AIBU to think Marrakesh was far worse than I expected?

As a woman, I wouldn’t dare go to Marrakesh. And I wouldn’t go to Egypt either, for the same reason.

We went as a family of 4 just for some winter sun and stayed in an all inclusive on the outskirts of Marrakech. DH and 18 year old daughter went to the souk one day. Daughter loved it, but was fairly oblivious, DH came back so tense and refused to take me into the centre. We’ve been all over the world and I’ve never seen him like that anywhere. I think it was more to do with the animals than anything. I don’t think we’ll go back.

DD went again last year with her 6ft 4in MMA male flatmate. He didn't leave her side and there was no problem, but I bought her modest clothes and she took scarves to cover up.

You are bringing race into this. I just said it was a s-hole.
Most of the posts support my comment.

Because when in Morocco, I treat people with dignity and respect unless someone crosses the line in which case I put them firmly in their place - it’s not that difficult to understand. On my last solo trip - I went hiking in the Atlas Mountains. Spent days with the same group of Moroccan men. Initially had interest until I explained that I wasn’t interested. I never had a proposition again despite sometimes sharing tent. Their advances are not aggressive but more about directness, curiosity and admiration. Some people are looking for the evil when it comes to Muslim men and they will make sure they find it.

I went to Morocco 20 years ago with my now husband. We stayed in Agadir but visited Marrakech. I would rather never go on holiday again than go back there. I wore loose trousers and long tops with head coverings whenever we went out of the hotel. It didn’t stop the harassment and the groups of men staring openly and in a really intimidating manner. The animal cruelty was appalling and the child poverty was heart breaking. Everyone that was nice was trying to get money out of us. It felt like nobody was sincere or could be trusted. I cried all the way home and I’m not prone to melodrama! It’s depressing to hear that things haven’t improved.

Went in 2012 and found it horrible. The 4 star hotel I'd booked served us mouldy fruit as a welcome gift and mint tea that was far too sugary. The tagines were nothing special. The people were horrid. The animal abuse is on another level. The pollution is high.

I went to Marrakech in the 1990s with my then boyfriend. At the time I was in my mid 20s, blonde and curvy. I remember reading in my Rough Guide before we went that it was a good idea to cover up - cover shoulders and chest, long skirt or trousers, not to show any flesh basically unless I was by the pool. I covered up. I was very glad I did. I'll never forget seeing two western women with blonde hair in the souk, They were wearing strappy tops and shorts and they were being hassled, hissed at, etc. Even dressed as modestly as I was I was flashed at just outside the city walls and none of the men would speak to me, they all spoke to my boyfriend. The same thing happened in Istanbul, although that time I was with aunt. On both occasions I was glad not to be either on my own or with another female my age, as I felt the harassment would've been unbearable if I had. A lot of Muslim men think all western women are whores, unfortunately.

Sounds horrible, but been a few times with female friends and experienced nothing but respect

DH and I went in November, like many here it was not somewhere I would rush to return to. We had a riad in the old town and if I were to repeat the experience ( which I won’t) it’s one of the few places where I would choose to stay in a nice western hotel 3-4 km away to escape from the oppressive business of the city. Hated the Riad too because of the lack of windows, I found it claustrophobic NB I realise that is a me thing, and not something that would necessarily bother other people. I felt unsafe most of the time, but actually we weren’t mugged or anything, I think it’s just a different cultural view of personal space. I also found the food disappointing, but that’s possibly because we mostly ate at places that served alcohol - ironically Moroccan wine, particularly Gris was delicious.

We did however have a lovely time at the British owned Capaldi hotel near the Atlas mountains, but that’s possibly because it was set uo to suit Western tastes and had a French chef. DH went on a day long hike and ended up with diarrhoea and vomiting because he had lunch in the guides hut ( I assume this is where he got it as I was fine and only ate at the hotel).

We went to Costa Rica earlier last year and I have to say I found Marrakesh a lot more alien and out of my comfort zone.

An asolute boatload of projection going on in that post.

Fuck that!
Why would you go somewhere where this is necessary!!
Absolute madness.

The most hassley place I ever experienced was Italy in the 1980s 😬. I was literally pawed at. Ugh.

Agree…it’s a culture shock

great place - a faveof my husband and I in the days

Most hassley place I have ever been and I’ve been to India and Egypt amongst others. Only time we have enjoyed it is when we stayed in a fancy hotel and just did a guided motorbike and sidecar tour round the main bit.

Cheaper to go to Spain or Portugal if you just want winter sun. Was 24 degrees in Evora last week. AND all the history.

We considered it but when we realised women are expected to dress modestly we vetoed. Not because I wear anything particularly revealing but it’s a hot country, I have tattoos as well and I don’t want to go anywhere I’d be made to feel uncomfortable for wearing short sleeves. We also read about the rule against any show of public affection and just thought, nah.

I’m not blonde or light skinned but I know blonde women who have been similarly harassed in Türkiye. I also heard of a young white girl who was grabbed- thankfully not abducted but attempted. Years ago so hopefully things have changed but yeah. I like to feel safe as a woman wherever I go. Most places I’ve visited have been absolutely fine but I’m resistant to go anywhere with any remote hint I wouldn’t be safe.

Or having your boobs groped.

Well in all honestly there is plenty of FFS!!!! that goes on on MN.

What does it being hot have to do with the women being modest and having to be accompanied?

I’ve been to Morocco - Casablanca, Taroudant and Casablanca as part of a cruise - day trips. Found it interesting and was glad I was on guided tours. I thought it was dirty and not very clean. I wouldn’t go back.
I’ve been to Istanbul with a friend of mine for a long weekend - found th major sites very interesting but got loads of hassle. We were both 42 at the time. I wouldn’t go back to Turkey or Morocco.

Being told 'fuck you' is hardly local culture...

I want 8 years ago and had a similar experience with my female friend.
. We also had really awful service, even in our luxury (but small boutique) hotel. When my male friend joined us for a couple of days we got better service - even in my hotel, where he wasn’t a guest. That really annoyed me! We also went to Essouria on the coast and it was totally different- relaxed, good service, people warm and helpful and much cheaper. So I don’t think it’s the whole country/culture.

Et voilà

However, in Marrakech you can enjoy the city; there is fine dining, relaxation, art galleries, high end bars - the French have built an really good scene there (in concert with the Moroccans). Just stay away from the Medina - the shit area, as you say.

Yes.

Mine are too. So I was initially correct that she is Western European.