returned from Morocco

I just returned from Morocco and felt extremely comfortable there. The people were friendly and polite - men often moved out of the way when passing (unlike many folks in NYC) or actively steered clear when I was taking photographs. I wore long sleeves for most the time because it was cold in some places, but when I moved to short sleeves (not straps) in Marrakesh, I saw maybe only a slight difference in response and then it was just that I would be looked at more often. I found the younger men to be charming and clearly unable to judge age, but they were very polite and as soon as I wanted to be off from a souk or conversation, I had no problem moving on. It is a lovely beautiful country and worth anyone's visit. Just use common sense as you would anywhere.
 going to Morocco for the first time in May. I have done a lot of research online and found I'm am even more nervous about being harrassed than I was before I knew anything. We are quite adventurous and if any other women have some tips for us that would be amazing. tuneinturner@gmail.com
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holiday in Marrakesh

I have been to Morocco recently and experienced a hassle free holiday. There was no such issue about clothing and unwanted attention. It is not a typical muslim country with strict regulation etc. I saw many local women in western clothes like jeans and tee shirts but not in short skirts. However there were many tourists and many white women wearing short skirts in the souks and bikinis at the water fall. So as I even read a lot about moroccan men before going there I found a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. People are very helpful but ask for money if they take you to a place or negotiate on your behalf in souks etc. which I think is acceptable. Yes there was a bit of hassle in the souks, especially in the evenings but simply smiling and walking away worked the best for me in all situations.
I went to Morocco in April 2009, what a wonderful country, the safest I have every visited nothing like what I have to deal with here in North America. Like all countries of course there are areas that are not safe, but as a young woman traveling alone never did I feel unsafe. Sure there were many men who asked for my number to none I gave, a polite no was all it took. I did find the worst dressed were tourist, they seem to have no respect that Morocco is a Muslim country. For women dress respectfully and stop showing so much flesh, who needs to see your ass cheeks hanging out your shorts and your cleavage showing for all to see? Dress appropriately. Morocco is a wonderful place, too bad the government does not do more for the poor.

I have just come back from a holiday in Marrakesh and unfortunately while we were there we had our bag stolen, got separated and my friend was raped. There is little or no victim support/ rape centres and you will not receive the same treatment as you would in the west. However the police were efficient and one man was caught within days.
Marrakesh is a wonderful place, just make sure that you don't walk around the medina late at night and don't trust anyone, despite how helpful they may be. We dressed appropriately and even wore headscarves, we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time

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visited Marrakech

The ONE AND ONLY place I realized that I had better cover my white face up with a woolen scarf and keep my down parka hood as tight as possible around my face was in a remote train station of Mongolia, heading for the Siberian border. The Mongolian men were huge, and mainly drunk on vodka. The female Mongolian teachers I traveled with were careful and extremely cautious of having me be seen . . . and I watched and listened to their cues. In the middle of the night, in the middle of "nowhere" and totally freezing cold, the name of the game is take your cue from the locals.
I am visited Marrakech last year. I did find the hassling by children, beggars and vendors annoying, and it reminded me how much more relaxed a time I have visiting countries like Spain and Greece where this happens so much less. So as a woman you'd have this on top of unwanted male attention, and it all depends how thick your skin is but I agree it is more of an irritation than a danger. Regarding dress, most of the girls in the French school near I was staying wore short skirts and I saw plenty with sleeveless tops, so I think the dress thing is less critacal than in other muslim countries.
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