In Morocco the boys like their photo taken but the girls don’t. 1982
Posted by razzbuffnik on August 9th, 2008
Years ago I used to love taking photos of people in the street. I hardly ever asked for permission and I used to take their shots whether they liked it or not. Many years later, I don’t feel comfortable with just taking people’s photo without asking for permission first.
In Morocco the boys are brought up like little kings and as a result they are usually confident extroverts who love having their photo taken. Many of them would jump in front of the camera so I would take their picture.
The girls on the other hand, either scowled or turned away when they saw me about to take their photo.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:00 am
The girls. They knew.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Did they have thick ankles? Oh, I couldn’t resist. Anyway, I think this is interesting–perhaps, having to do with religion in some way? Or, maybe Cafe is right: The girls. They Knew. I love that comment!
August 9th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Cafe
Knew what? That I was going to steal their souls, perchance?
Pat
Who knows what kind of ankles they had. I don’t have an ankle fetish and as far as I can remember they all had long dresses over long pants.
Since we’re on the subject of thick (or perhaps puffy is a better word) ankles how’s your blood pressure?
As for a clue why the boys and girls in Morocco act the way they do, check out the link in the post.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Have never had low blood pressure. When I got older, 50’s, went the other way so take meds for that. When I was 18, a freshman in college, I marched in the St. Patrick’s day parade in NYC, it’s a big, big deal for an Irish girl as long as you can dodge the TV’s being thrown out the windows by drunken brethern. When I got back to school, 30 miles north of NYC, the school nurse asked me what was wrong with my ankles. They were as you say a bit “ouffy”. I just smiled and said, “Oh, they always look like this!!”
I’ll check out the link. Thx.
August 10th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Yes, yes, that is what I meant. They saw you as a Soul Merchant. Wasn’t it in Australia that a fellow just sold his soul to a local bar? I think I read that. Perhaps on your site.
August 10th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Cafe
You didn’t read it here but there was a guy here in australia who offered to sell his life (all his worldly goods and friends etc) on E-bay.
Here’s a link to the story on Reuters
http://uk.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUKSYD21931720080630
August 10th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I think the little boy may have learned how to pose from planetross.
I was in Morocco for two weeks on my own in the 80s and it did not feel good being a girl over there.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I love it. Not so keen to sell my entire life, but quite keen to sell parts. Thanks for the heads up. Will let you know if I get any offers on my ‘regrettable memories’ sale on E-Bay.
August 10th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
PS trying to avoid a big rant about why girls don’t smile for cameras in certain parts of the world. Forgive me for not starting now. I think I might not stop.
August 10th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Nat
A blone haired, attractive woman alone in Morocco!
Ye Gods!
What were you thinking?
The Moroccans can have some very strange attitudes towards women ( http://blog.allthedumbthings.com/2008/03/07/another-arsehole-ive-met-fez-morocco-1982/ ) and I’ve seen quite a few things over there (that I’ll write about in the future) that makes me want to warn any woman going there on her own.
Epic
It’s the bad things in our lives that help us enjoy the normal things.
I can see why women don’t smile at strangers, after all so many men would take it as an invitation. Having said that, feel free to unload here.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Yep! I dressed incredibly appropriately considering it was summer (long sleeves and covered legs) but apparently I still was a “European whore.” Sometimes, you just can’t win!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Have you ever considered that/if they would pose differently for a woman than for a man?
For a girl in that kind of society, it might not be the same who attempts to steal your soul, i.e. dignity. Photographic appropriation is gendered (think only of the phallic telephoto lenses…) and in a way, colonial.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Grass
I’m sure you’re right in saying that the girls would prefer a woman to take their photo but I think it’s for a different reason. Because of the culture in Morocco, I think that girls are made to fear men (more so than in the European or south east Asian type of cultures). Any western woman that has been Morocco would probably know what I mean.
I don’t think that the young Moroccan girls were interpreting the short telephoto lens (135mm) in a Freudian way. Most of the country girls in Morocco would have received very little education, if any at all.
Their are lots of places I’ve been to where the females are much more relaxed about such things and just like the little boys they enjoy having their photos taken. The culture in Morocco has made interaction between the sexes, a very up-tight affair.
I find it quite sad, and I felt sorry for the little girls in Morocco because I don’t think their futures were going to be very bright. No where as free as the boys.