Blog 2: Ability or Social Status

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While visiting the souks in Morocco, I noticed how differently many market sellers are treated depending on the expectations of tourists, especially French tourists. Morocco was under French colonial rule from 1912 to 1956, and the effects of colonization are still visible today in language, tourism, and economic systems. French is still widely spoken in business settings, and many tourists from France visit Morocco expecting locals to accommodate them culturally and linguistically. According to Britannica, French colonization heavily influenced Morocco’s economy, education system, and urban development, creating long-lasting social and economic divisions (“French Protectorate in Morocco,” Britannica). In the souks, many sellers depend on tourism to support themselves, which can place them in a lower social position where they feel pressured to meet tourists’ expectations in order to make sales. This creates an imbalance where tourists often hold more power than the local workers whose livelihoods depend on them.

Personally, walking through the souks made me think a lot about social status and how history still impacts everyday life. Many of the sellers were incredibly hardworking and welcoming, but I could also tell they were expected to constantly adapt to tourists in ways tourists rarely adapt to them. It felt unfair at times that some visitors seemed to expect the markets to cater completely to them instead of appreciating the culture they were entering. Seeing this made me realize how colonization can continue affecting people long after it officially ends, especially through tourism and economic dependence. It also reminded me to be more mindful as a traveler and to approach different cultures with respect instead of expectation.





Reference


 Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). French protectorate in Morocco. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Morocco/French-protectorate-1912-56

 

Comments

  1. Emma DaxeMay 26, 2026 at 2:02 PM

    Reading this post made me reflect more on what I saw in the souks and how tourism can create power imbalances between visitors and local sellers. I also noticed how vendors would quickly switch languages or adjust their approach depending on the tourist, which connects to your point about French tourists and Morocco’s colonial history still influencing interactions today. I thought that you really highlighted how easy it is as a visitor to overlook the pressure sellers are under while trying to make a living. One thing I found that connects to this idea is that while tourism can bring important income, it can also create economic dependence in some regions; according to the World Tourism Organization, tourism is a major source of jobs globally but can also increase vulnerability when local economies rely heavily on foreign visitors.

    World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). (n.d.). Tourism and sustainable development. https://www.unwto.org

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