Is it disrespectful/problematic to take a sex toy in hand luggage to Marrakech?

[sleepitoff]

We are going to Marrakech for a holiday in a few weeks and I would like to take my vibrator.

I’m likely to take just cabin bags.

Will I encounter issues either going through or leaving the airport? I know it’s not illegal but I don’t want issues - or to appear disrespectful.

No judgments please, advice only.

Oh please, it was a question,that's all! There's no way I would as I'd be too embarrassed if my bag was checked.

Then they complain when they're done for breaking the law in that country.

Some British tourists are so arrogant they think they can get away with anything they like. I'm ashamed and embarrassed at people's behaviour sometimes, it's the same ones who speak to cabin crew and airport staff like shit usually.

I don’t think it has occurred to you that hardly thinking might be the problem here. The sheer arrogance of your post is jaw dropping. You think that the OP presumably being British is going to help her if she falls foul of their decency and morality laws? Does the name Marcus Fakana ring any bells with you? Try nipping over to Dubai and telling the authorities how to deal with ‘our ways’. I dare you 😂

If you seriously think that the authorities of these countries give a shit about the ‘ways’ of westerners then for God’s sake don’t venture out of the EU countries for your holiday.

I must say I think that's unfair. Being on holiday would probably the best time to use it. Of course if you're going with a real one (a man), you might not need it.

But I'd still take it in case!

Been to Morocco dozens of times, both Agadir and Marrakech. Don't recognise the descriptions above of surly and rude customs officials I must say. Never had an issue. Nor have I ever had an issue with taking in a sex toy (in my case a womaniser) either in hold luggage or carry on.

As to why not leave it at home, well my home life is busy and im often exhausted by the time i get to bed and holiday sees me more relaxed and with arthritic fingers hand is not an option!

Also re headscarves, personal choice. Agadir is more westernised than Marrrakech in terms of dress etc. In the souks and around the medina/Jma el F'naa square in Marrakech it is more conservative and I would recommend less revealing clothing though there are plenty of tourists who walk round in skimpy outfits which is disrespectful imo.

Never had an issue being harassed either, been many times solo, with 1 or both daughters also (teens). If stallholders are persistent then a loud no and carry on walking. Many will laugh and joke saying Asda price, lovely bubbly etc.

At the end of the day you're not going to be walking around waving a sex toy at locals, enjoy your holiday.

The voice of common sense has arrived! Agree with all of this.

The current law is 15 for marriage, just one year younger than it was in England and Wales until very recently.
It will soon be raised to 17.
Morocco moves to reform underage marriage – DW – 12/24/2024

'Used vibrator'? You do realise people clean their vibrators, no?

I agree with pp, there's something about the wording of your post that suggests something other than prudery.

Trouble is, you’re working on the basis that everyone is sticking to the law. The Prevent Forced Marriage site states;

In rural areas in Morocco, religious and social customs make child marriage a common practice11 and few applicants for underage marriage are male, which implies a pattern of minor females being married to adult male spouses.12 Brides as young as 12-years-old13 have been documented, and testimony by girls and women support the contention that many are forced into early marriages against their will.14
Currently, there is no specific law prohibiting forced or child marriage in Morocco. In 2013, the Ministry of Justice suggested reforming the penal code to include a provision criminalizing forced marriage, however, the draft of that bill has not yet been adopted. Parliament only recently amended the article of the penal code which allowed a rapist to escape prosecution if he married his underage victim.15

Theoretically, they’re quite positive on women’s rights. In practice, things are often different. But I’m sure it’s a lovely experience walking around the markets, eh?

Interesting replies! I still think there's a lot of weirdness around the OP even entertaining the idea of taking a vibrator...but each to their own.

@Boomer55
If these countries want the money from Western tourists, then they need to accept we have different ways. As we do with other tourists, 🤷‍♀️

What a very arrogant way of thinking! "They" don't need to accept anything and neither should "they". What do "we" accept from other tourists that isn't already the norm in the UK?

"Currently, there is no specific law prohibiting forced or child marriage in Morocco. "

How can that be if the legal age of marriage is 15, soon to be 17?
Surely those young marriages are not legal ones?

"But I’m sure it’"s a lovely experience walking around the markets, eh?"

I don't personally want to go there, but I don't think boycotting the country would help with positive reform.

😂 They won’t be reforming, positively or otherwise. They think it’s us who need to reform, not them.

It’s more a case of considering carefully whether you want to go to a country where attitudes towards morality, specifically women’s morality, are so ingrained that behaving in a way that would be totally normal in the UK, would be enough to potentially get you locked up, in conditions that would breach Article 3 of the ECHR, and where you can’t rely on police to either protect you or even abide by the laws.

How can that be? Seriously? Well they won’t be civil marriages, but if you’re religious and someone in your Mosque is willing to perform a ceremony for your young daughter so that she’s married in the eyes of God, who cares about the difference?

I find it quite shocking that some of you think countries known for Human Rights violations are always complying with the laws.

"Well they won’t be civil marriages, but if you’re religious and someone in your Mosque is willing to perform a ceremony for your young daughter so that she’s married in the eyes of God, who cares about the difference?"

Well, I would argue that it matters whether it's a legal marriage or not.

I lived and worked there for a bit. They won’t give a shit. Yes, it’s a Muslim country but nothing like Saudi Arabia for example. As another poster said they have their own sex shops. They also have nightclubs where you can drink alcohol and strip bars. I wouldn’t go waiving your vibrator around in public, that likely will cause you some issues. But security in the airport won’t care. It’s a massive tourist destination, they’ll have seen them before.

Why? It’s not going to stop young girls being repeatedly raped and impregnated, and used as a domestic slave by middle aged men, is it?

Some users out here really show why certain tourists and their mentalities are more disliked than others lol

Op is so snippy, sounds like you need to use it now luv.

Why do you think this? It’s not remotely judgemental, just suggesting a temporary alternative if you’re worried about your vibrator. Bemusing that you interpret it as judgemental. Do you have internal shame about using sex toys or something to interpret such an inane comment like that? Either risk it, use your hand, or go for one holiday without getting yourself off (you won’t die!)

Sheesh, there really is some racist views coming out in latter posts.

Also:"But I’m sure it’s a lovely experience walking around the markets, eh?"

It really is. I cannot describe Jma el Fnaa (and the souk in Agadir..the so called Sunday souk) except to say it touches all your senses. It's a cacophony of noise and smells, colours, some wonderful workmanship (Agadir souk is better for this as it has distinct sections and you can see crafts in real time from metal beating to make lanterns, to carpentry making amazing furniture, men making beautiful clothes and doing repairs to clothing, and so much more).

As I said in a post above, I've NEVER had an issue wandering deep into the souks, often away from the tourist areas either alone or with 1 or both daughters. Ironically, the 1 issue was when I was with then husband and we were corralled away from the souk and into a side alley. Soon solved.

I've also stayed in private riads in non tourist areas and have been lucky enough to find amazing local bakeries and even get caught up in a wedding procession in the narrow streets (and was made very welcome) while doing so.

I appreciate some have issues, but in dozens of visits, often solo, I haven't and am going again in Feb, to Marrakech, and staying in a riad just off Jma el Fnaa. I'll be respectful, enjoy watching the bonkers transformation of the square late afternoon (with around 100 pop up restaurants built in just over an hour) and wander around the souks.

I have been to Agadir, Marrakech and Essaouira and the mountains.

I am/was a seasoned traveller and very respectful of local dress and customs.

The harassment I faced in that country still makes me angry, years later.

Very nasty men,

This!