AIBU to think Marrakesh was far worse than I expected?

She's found Germany racist? I know it's everywhere, but it does surprise me that it's so overt.

I went with my husband and we had to avoid eye contact in the souk as we got hassled to buy constantly. In fact, we completely avoided all the markets as it was so uncomfortable. As you say, the condition of the donkeys and monkeys is sickening. It's an ancient walled city which is horribly spoiled by air pollution and there is no concept of conservation of the surrounding countryside. We did love all the palaces and gardens we visited but I'd never go back.

Agree. Cairo is amazing. I loved it. Enjoy.😍
Sorry the op had a bad experience. I think with destinations such as Morocco and Egypt you just need to do a bit of research before visiting and lower your expectations. You also need to be accepeting that they are developing countries. I agree that some of the behaviour towards female travellers is unacceptable and their animal welfare track record is appalling. However, sadly wherever you visit in the world there will be customs we don't agree with. Thousands of people still visit Spain each year even though there are bullfights.

My daughter lived in Cairo on her own for over a year and loved it. She’s also lived in Turkey and Jordan for some time, and never experienced a problem in any of the three countries. Now that she’s moved to Germany, she and her husband have found it incredibly unwelcoming and racist.

Agree with MrsDoyle when I was in Cairo I’d spent my hard earned money to come to a place full of people that basically hate me for just existing! No thanks! Not making that mistake again!

The airport was an eye-opener. Queuing? Unheard of. There was running and heaving and shoving - really horrible.

It’s a total dump. I got food poisoning too. I’d never go back.

We know what the culture and the law think about the human rights of women in most Islam-majority countries without secular liberal principles. Why on earth would I - or any woman who earns her own living, with money earned from the labour of the brain attached to her vagina-having body - spend that money in any country that barely recognises her status as human? It blows my mind.

There's a lot of posters saying they avoid Muslim countries.
However, there's one unlike the countries being complained about.

Jordan is wonderful. A lot to see and do, & it seemed quite safe to me.
People are very friendly, most women still wear a hijab, but a lot of younger women don't.
We were only "hassled" by school children, politely introducing themselves and asking if they could practice their English with us. We were quite tickled to be addressed as Sir & Madam - even if it was sometimes the wrong way round.

Can’t believe you are shocked

Would never go to Tunisia or Egypt for this reason! (And certain areas of Turkey) I’ve heard some awful stories about Egypt and Tunisia from friends which is a shame as both are beautiful countries. My friend isn’t blonde but she was accosted constantly in Egypt and felt up.

I went when I was 21 with mum. Yes the local men leered and harassed us a lot. Some were just very complimentary and offering my mum camels for me! Others were worse, one lad kept on groping my bum and wouldn't leave me alone. I must say Turkey was far worse for harassment and assault, the worst place I've been to for it. Also saw monkeys in chains, snake charmers, awful to see. It was Eid when we were there and the streets were full of slaughtered sheep i kid you not! It was such a culture shock, but the markets at night were amazing and the spices! It was a mixed bag. I wouldn't go again though now I'm a mother.

Hated it. Was so excited to go but the constant hassling was next level. I was dressed modestly and with my husband but was still physically shoved into the road by an older man. Felt unsafe all the time and it’s the one place we both couldn’t wait to leave.

Now there's an idea...!

I visited with said male and I am quite a long way from blonde and fair skinned. Spat
on (phlegm gobbed down me), had stones flicked at me, overcharged, grabbed- bloody awful. it was years back and someone told
me who went recently that the place has ‘transformed’ … sounds just the same
as what I remember!

I hated Marrakech. Will never go back. I thought everything about it was awful, not just the horrible men.

Marrakesh is a place I would never go back to, agree with the OP, we were hassled every step of the way. Unpleasant for women visiting.

I’ve never been to Morocco but DD2 and I are currently day 9 in and around Cairo visiting DD1 (on her uni year abroad here) and very much enjoying it.

I know a woman in her 50’s who goes to Turkey every year for sex with young men. These young men pay for the hotel room, for a bunk up with her, and it’s multiple men.

Yes, it does explain romance scams, although, as we've said, not harassment!
I suppose the boundary lies where women actually feel safe, or in danger, and if the police would support you if attacked. In other words, what does that country actually allow?

Well no, I literally said, "Obviously that doesn't explain all the harassing and leery behaviour," but it explains why Moroccan men are so keen to get involved with women from the West, and the common romance scams that go on.

But yes, clearly there's a lack of respect as well. Although I'm not sure how much more of a lack of respect there is over there, or whether it's just expressed more explicitly. Personally I've had multiple experiences of supposedly well-educated, well brought up men (and not teenagers) not taking "no" for an answer and being quite coercive. Is that fundamentally any different in terms of attitude?

We went a few years ago and soon discovered that if you head for the French Quarter it is much nicer, no harassment and great fixed price shops.

I went years ago with my DD who was around 18 and we did get comments but on the whole it was fine and most people were very kind, friendly and helpful. We both enjoyed it there, though I did get food poisoning.

I've been twice ,once twenty years ago and another time about 15 years ago
Both times were fine 95% of the time and no major hassle. Once in the main square someone shoved a toy jn my DD hand then tried to demand payment and the second time in essoruia I glanced for too long at a sunglasses seller !
However that's not bad for two trips and into the Medina etc.

Maybe things have changed ?
Id like to go back with older teens but some comments are putting me off.

I didn't experience the attitudes on here but it's making me think of the type of males who are being abusive to girls in the UK when they come off the boats.

Don't get it .....................