Blonde Tourist’s Nightmare: Harassment and Culture Shock in Morocco’s Streets

A trip that will remain a bad memory in the mind of Karolina Wachowicz, 35, from Poland. "As a blonde, single European woman, you are not considered a simple traveler, you become a spectacle. Every look, every comment, every offer of help are loaded with a meaning that you have never solicited," she said to What’s The Jam. She claims to have been the victim of a "nightmarish" harassment during her vacation in Morocco. The influencer confesses to having had the impression of wearing a "flashing sign" while walking the streets during her visit to Morocco.

In Marrakech, the assault is fierce and constant. But the attention became even more intense when she left the city to go to small towns and rural villages. "The attention is sometimes stifling. Simple gestures, like sitting in a cafe or doing shopping, become events. I couldn’t cross the street without at least one person asking me for a photo or money. Marriage proposals were, of course, also common," the tourist recounts. She adds: "Here, any visible skin or uncovered hair is perceived as a statement, even if you think you are dressed modestly. Suddenly, you realize that even a light summer dress and bare shoulders can make you the center of attention for endless demands, proposals or questions."

According to the thirty-year-old, men often insist on the tourist’s name, projects, and marital status. Sometimes a simple "I have a boyfriend" is the only response that really stops them, she continues. In contrast to the men, the women welcome with cold looks. "Instead of feeling solidarity, I was greeted with cold and critical looks. Their gaze could pierce me, especially if I was wearing an outfit slightly less modest than their standards." She recounts that a skirt above the ankles or bare arms were enough for some to shoot her with a look or shake their head in disapproval. "Once, a woman even raised her voice and scolded me in Arabic. I didn’t understand her words, but her tone said a lot."

However, Karolina does not paint an entirely dark picture of her trip to Marrakech. She thinks it is possible to enjoy Morocco if you know the rules, "if you understand how different the social codes are." And to add: The kingdom "can challenge you and exhaust you, but it will also teach you resilience, flexibility and the importance of intercultural benevolence, if you are willing to look beyond the sometimes exasperating appearances. The key to survival lies in a mix of resistance, improvisation, humor, patience and cultural sensitivity."