people – part six (cold North vs. hot South)

I may sound a bit inconsistent writing this negatively sounding post just after the previous one but treat it rather as a bunch of my impressions about Morocco and people here.

What I will write below refers to majority of people and majority of cases. However, there are of course people (or cases) who don’t apply to that. And God bless them! I love ya! :)

One of my biggest challenge here is the working culture. People are often late, they don’t reply your emails, they don’t keep promises and other such awful habits. I have been here for more than 8 months and I still can’t get used to that. I’m all the time pissed off about that. Or imagine a meeting – partially in English, partially in French, partially in Arabic. Even if there are parts in English you are often out of the context. Imagine yourself suggesting a solution to a problem. People get excited about it and start discussing that. They are so excited that they talk about it in Arabic. You don’t understand anything and you can’t participate in the discussion although you initiated it. It’s so annoying. I know they don’t do it on purpose and they are unconscious of that. Even when you ask 1000 times it will not work out… It’s in the blood…

A few weeks ago, I hosted 3 people from AIESEC in Norway who were traveling in Morocco. This was a chance for me to learn more about this country and confront stereotypes with reality. I asked if people in Norway are really so cold as it is thought. They confirmed that in mostly cases that is truth. However, if you really get to know a Norwegian she/he can be your friend for life. I don’t know if I’m right (only the time will show that) but I think it’s exactly the opposite in Morocco. People here are mostly very nice and open and not cold at all. But… how many of this nice smiles, invitations and words will become a real friendship for life? How many people can you really count on? How many people after you ask them for help will actually help you especially after they have promised to do so? How many people will keep the word? Again, from my experience I can say that most of them will just support you verbally and will take no actions. And again, I can say that each rule has its own exceptions and I can give few examples of Moroccan on which I can really count (minority but still!).

Well, if my theory is right (life, time and people will prove its truth or lack of it) I guess I prefer to be surrounded by people who seem cold but in fact they are really friendly when only properly reached. I guess I’m a bit an example for that. Once my Portuguese ex flat mate asked after some discussions about my relations with people: “My God! Why are you so hard to reach? Why are you so unattainable?” Well, she exaggerated a bit. I’m not that unattainable. Just a bit. But when you find the proper key you will have the access to my inner warmth only covered and hidden behind the cold :)