brilliant improvisers As a rule Moroccans are intelligent, a bit high-strung, extremely sociable and quick to form friendships. They have few personal belongings, and are used to sleeping in a room with several other people. For most Moroccans, solitude is the worst thing imaginable. They hate to spend even a moment alone. Their culture is still tribal beneath its modern gloss, so individualism is called "egoism" and is frowned upon. The interests of family or clan have more weight than those of the individual. Young men are seen as extensions of the family who can be sent off to the cities, or overseas if possible, to earn money to send home. The idea that they might have goals of their own seems farfetched, even to the young men themselves. Young women are seen as a burden to be married off as soon as possible, to the first man willing. Little is invested in developing their character, although they are taught to make harira, a delicious red soup. A Moroccan might decide to travel to another city on the spur of the moment, while passing a bus station, with only the clothes on his back. His cousins in the new place will give him a base from which to try his luck. Moroccans seem to enjoy this haphazard way of life. They are brilliant improvisers, but they lack discipline or planning. They can see only a few days ahead. Beyond that, their goal is to marry a rich foreigner.
	location: Fez, Morocco date: May 10, 2005 average rating: [not rated] your rating (0-10):