Greetings & Customs in Morocco

When Moroccans see someone they know, it is impolite to just say "hi" and keep walking. At the very least they have stop in order to shake hands and ask "ki dayr? Ça va ?" Always with friends and sometimes with acquaintances (shopkeepers, etc.), Moroccans will phrase this question several different ways, and then ask about the other person's health, family, children, and perhaps weather too.

Example :

Mohamed : Sba7 lkhir. Good morning ( morning of grace/wealth/goodness)

FaTema: Sba7 nnour. Good morning (morning of light)

M: ki dayra? labas 3lik? How are you? are you ok (no harm on you)?

F: labass, L7amdullah, w nta ki dayr? I'm fine (no harm on me), praise be to Allah, and you?

M: bikhir L7amdullah. ki dayrin mmalin ddar? wash kolshi labass?

I'm ok, praise be to Allah. How's your family (house owners)? are they all fine?

F: Allahumma lik l7emd, kolshi bikhir. Praise be to Allah, all's fine.

This exchange of pleasantries tends to be continuous and automatic ( the questions are strung together without really waiting for a response to any of them ). Sometimes, actually no real thought is put into the questions or answsers and both parties are usually talking at the same time. The exchange can last up to 30 or 40 seconds, and ends when one or both parties feel like to!

Moroccans are very fond of shaking hands every time they see someone they know or meet someone new. When we go into work in the morning or when we leave workplace, we're expected to shake each of our colleagues' hands. Sometimes when you're supposed to atend a familial gathering, and you found the room crowded with more than 8 people you can only say Ssalamu 3alaykom in a bit louder voice instead of shaking hands with everyone in the room!

Here are some costums of greetings in Morocco:

• We often keep shaking hands untill the end of the greeting process.

• Many Moroccans will look towards the ground when greeting ladies and elders.

• Moroccans address women (elders or married ones) by the honorific title Lalla, Lla+her name, or L7ajja and elder men by sidi, ssi+his name, moulay or L7ajj

• We often kiss elders' hands and their heads as well.You'll always hear them saying Allah yerDi 3lik aweldi/abenti or Allah ye3tik rrDa, both expressions are prayers that God will bless you and be pleasant with you..sort of.

• After shaking hands,

  touching the right hand to the heart is a sign of respect.

  This is not limited to one's elders; it is common to see adults touching their hearts after shaking hands.

• A person at a distance will usually make eye contact, smile, wave and touch his hand to his heart.

• Affection for children is shown by patting gently on their shoulders or heads, but huggin or kissing cheeks is more common.

• Male/Female contact is often limited to hand-shaking but it really depends on people's social class and their own habits.

• It's highly recommended to use expressions such as 7amdullah (praise be to Allah/Thanks to God), nshallah (God willing), baraka allahu fik ( God bless you) in a conversation. You'll leave a very good impression.