Morocco

By Adam Webster

Capital city of Morocco: Rabat

The primary language of Morocco is Arabic:

-Morocco in Arabic
The people are known as Moroccans
The primary Religion of Morocco is Muslim (Moslem)

Tourist attraction 1
What you do see is the old Spanish fortress
just off shore. They built it during their period
of colonialism here in Tarfaya to protect the bay
of the town. Today the fort looks like a squareshaped rock in the waves: very rough and not a
lot of details. As far as I know it is not possible
to visit it, but it's definitely an interesting sight:
a proof of the historical value of Tarfaya.
- Peter11 http://www.virtualtourist.com/

Tourist attraction 2
The Place Mechouar is a central
square, a place where the community of
Laayoune can gather for events and
gatherings. It is located near the
outskirts of town instead of in the
center. Official events require the
squares space but is usually quiet and
empty.

National Cuisine
Tea- Strong and sweet,
sometimes infused with
mint leaves. Heated
directly on a wood fire
and is an important part
of traditional Hospitality.

Tagine- A meet
or vegetable
stew, named
after the pot it
is cooked in.

Stereotypes by Americans of people

of this culture
Criminal Wasteland: Moroccans are masters of haggling
and know how to squeeze the most profit out of a deal.
The haggling process is mandatory, if you do not haggle it
is actually considered an insult and lowers the natives selfesteem
Bargaining Power: There is really no reason to go to
Western Sahara unless you are looking to be robbed,
beaten, or murdered. - The Coastal cities are more of Safe
havens then you think, it is the actual desert which is not
enforced by the law.

Superstitions
At the tomb, one should make requests, sleep beside the
tomb of the ancestor, and wait for the response, to be given
in a dream.

Avoid lighting a fire for three days in a house where

someone has died.

Hand Gestures
Never eat or drink with your left hand, it is
considered unclean. Same goes with giving a thumbs
up, only use your right hand.
The picture to the right is a hand gesture with many
different meanings, it can mean: how are you, Im
fine, or a little.

Business Culture - etiquette and

body language
Men have an extended handshake through a conversation to
other men, while women nod to men and women. Age is
Highly valued in Morocco, the elders are supposed to
initiate the handshakes to their subordinates. You should
address titles such as Doctor (Dektuura) and Businessman
(Marsa) along with their surnames, much like in the U.S we
say Dr. Cooper. When greeting someone you must greet
with the proper time of day, Good Morning or Good
evening.

Business Culture - relationship

building
Business relationships are based on trust and respect. High
value of Hierarchies in both business and personal matters.
Business visitors must send an outline of their teams
hierarchy, so the Moroccans can make the seating
arrangements appropriately.

Business Culture - communication

styles in decision making
Foreign visitor subordinates may not address the senior member of the opposite
team, if they wish to communicate with the senior member they must run it by their
own teams senior member first. If the Moroccans do business with a foreigner that
does not speak Arabic, the foreigners must hire a translator. The decision making
process will usually be quite lengthy.
You must pay attention to:
Tone of voice
Body language
Silence or pauses
Most Moroccans find it difficult to say no, so you should clarify your statement or
ask it in a different manner.

Business Culture - power structures

in decision making
The business structure is solely based on a hierarchy. The
decisions are made solely on the leader or a top group of
executives, some allow middle-managers to contribute but
this is rare.

Business: Differences/Similarities
in body language from the U.S
Americans prefer to keep their personal space if they do not
know other business negotiator, will most likely greet with a
formal hand shake if it is a Face-to-Face meeting. This
differs from the Moroccans from their continuous
handshake or nod during the talk Face-to-Face, they are
similar by their greeting of a hand shake.

Business: Differences/ Similarities

in Communication styles from the U.S
Moroccos communication is more indirect, meaning you
need to view body language highly. While U.S is more of
paying attention to what the person is saying/writing.

Business: Differences/ similarities

of Power structure in the U.S
A similarity in the Power structure is the hierarchal
structure, in big business companies in America they
typically use a hierarchy. The difference would be that in
Morocco, the Hierarchy is used in just about all businesses
and is very strict, while in America if it is a small business
or a tech company there will be more of a consensus
building.

Internet penetration rate and most popular

social network sites in the country.
Internet access is Severely limited, commonly found in
Hotels, usually just the lobbies but sometimes in your
rooms. According to Vincos.it Facebook is the leading Social
media site as of December 2014.

Individualism vs. Collectivism

Morocco is traditionally a Collectivist country. Collectivists
countries usually commit themselves to a group that take
care of each other in exchange for long-term loyalty. This
consists of loyalty to the group, be it the family, extended
family, or a relationship.

Large or Small Power Distance

The power distance in Morocco is a large power distance.
Large power distance simply means that there can be a
significance in inequalities between member of a group, like
a hierarchy. In Western Sahara there is a strict hierarchy of
the subordinates being told what to do and the bosses reign
supreme.

Strong or Weak Uncertainty

Avoidance
Uncertainty avoidance deals with the future and how it can
never be known, strong or weak strikes at the idea of a
society saying should we try to control it Morocco is in the
Strong (high) uncertainty avoidance, with their need to
make money and their strong sense for the need of security.
Along with a strict form of codes.

Masculinity Versus Femininity

Morocco is in the Mid-range for masculinity so it is
inconclusive or just not really known. Masculinity is the
means of more competition while femininity is in the means
of caring for others over competition.

US and Moroccan
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Morocco(bar on the
left)

The Moroccans are more

of Collectivists. Loyalty to
the group, be it the
family, extended family, or
a relationship.

U.S (bar on the

right)
The U.S are more of
individualists (hence
the higher rating, 91).
Americans typically
look out for themselves
as an individual more
over relying on others.

http://geert-hofstede.com/morocco.html

U.S and Morocco, Large or Small

Power Distance

Morocco

U.S

The power
The power
distance in
distance in the
Morocco is a
U.S is fairly little
large power
meaning small,
distance. In
there is not much
Western Sahara
of a based
there is a strict
hierarchy, with
hierarchy of the
the exception of
subordinates
big business
being told what
to
companies.
http://geert-hofstede.com/morocco.html
do and the bosses
reign supreme.

U.S and Morocco in Strong or Weak

Uncertainty Avoidance
Morocco

U.S

The U.S are just

Morocco is in the
below the point of
Strong (high)
High uncertainty
uncertainty
making them a weak
avoidance, with
uncertainty
their need to make
avoidance. Meaning
money and their
that there is room for
strong sense for
new ideas, not really
the need of
trying to control what
http://geert-hofstede.com/morocco.html
security. Along
goes on in the future.
with a strict form

The U.S and Morocco in Masculinity

Versus Femininity
U.S

Morocco

The U.S is in the

high score range
meaning
Americans are
driven more by
competition. As
success in America
is defined as a
winner.
http://geert-hofstede.com/morocco.html

Morocco is in
the Mid-range
for masculinity
so it is
inconclusive or
just not really
known.

Current events in Morocco

In todays resolution, the 15-member Council extended the
UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
(MINURSO) until 30 April 2015. MINURSO has been in
effect since 1991. UN News Centre
The UN are currently trying to establish a settlement in
Western Sahara, this act has been sought after since 1991
and is still in current effect.

Work cited
Africa: Western Sahara. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from https://
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/wi.html
Blackboard Learn . (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://
www.globalroadwarrior.com.ccbcmd.idm.oclc.org/directories.php?cat=POI&iso3ltr=ESH&cid=176&
c_name=Western+Sahara&parent=Travel
Blackboard Learn . (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2015, from http://
www.globalroadwarrior.com.ccbcmd.idm.oclc.org/ContentInfo.asp?iso3ltr=USA&nid=65&cid=156&n
ext_nid=66&parent=Overviews
Ferris, S. (n.d.). Protocol Professionals, Inc. | Observing Proper Protocol in Morocco. Retrieved March
20, 2015, from http://www.protocolprofessionals.com/articles_morocco.htm
Moroccan Gestures. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVcz_zln5ZI
Security Council extends UN Western Sahara mission through April 2015. (2014, April 29). Retrieved
March 19, 2015, from http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47681#.VQtEuY7F_Z0
Western Sahara Things to do. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://
www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Western_Sahara/Things_To_Do-Western_Sahara-MISC-BR-1.html
What about Morocco? (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://geert-hofstede.com/morocco.html