Tipping in Morocco
Make sure you always have some change in your pocket. It will come in handy on many occasions. Remember that salaries are also often very low and tips are a way to make ends meet. Sometimes tips can be as much as 100% of your salary.
Ideally, tips should be frequent, but small, reasonable and proportional to the service and quality. A good tip is around 10-15% of the bill. However, you have to take into account the salary of the employees and cultural traditions that may make you and the waiter feel uncomfortable with only leaving this 15%. An example: you leave 2 to 3 dirhams for a coffee and 5 to 15% for a meal. It all depends on your satisfaction, the tip is like a thank you for the service provided.
It is preferable to tip in the local currency, so you don’t have to change money, which is not always easy for some people. At the airport, be sure to change money and ask for change.
WaitersMost hotels and restaurants do not include the price of service in the bill, so it does not hurt to tip waiters, baggage handlers, waitresses, etc.
Hotel housekeepers are probably the worst tippers. Many people do not tip, yet it is customary to tip the housekeeper and leave a few coins under the pillow, for example.
If you want to go on excursions, it is advisable to choose guides and here too tipping is almost obligatory. In the case of guides/drivers and helpers of all kinds, the amounts are indicated per day and per person, although the following formula is often used: “tips are left to your discretion”. The larger your group, the less you will have to tip. Don’t forget that your guide will earn about 30% on the purchases you make with him/her.
For parking, contrary to what many foreigners believe, it is not about tipping for parking, but paying for parking. The attendants manage the parking for a very low price and thereafter each car that parks there has to pay a fixed price. It is about 2 dirhams, rarely more than 5 dirhams and 10 dirhams for the whole night. However, you can give him a few extra coins and he will be happy to wash your car for you.
Don’t be fooled by beggars posing as guards. They will also tell you not to give money to children because instead of going to school, they take it as a job. It’s easy money for them.
You also have to be careful in some of the big squares, such as the famous Jemaa El Fna square in Marrakech. There are people dancing with monkeys or snakes. They will offer to put the monkey or snake on your shoulder, take your picture and ask 10 euros for it, which is more than 100 dirhams.
Last but not least, beware of unscrupulous policemen (fortunately, there are not many) who can stop you at any time. They will try to fine you for anything or take money from you, a “bakchich”, to get you to drop the case. Bakchich is a French term meaning some form of corruption.
The tourist is a good way to make easy money. For a service, whether you get lost in the souks and ask for information or directions, nothing is free in Morocco.
