Lipsticks for Moroccan ladies?
Sep 15th, 2010, 10:07 AM
#1
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Lipsticks for Moroccan ladies?
I will be leaving in 3 (hooray!) days for my long-awaited trip to Morocco.
I have about 25-30 brand new lipsticks that I got as a promotion.
Would it be appropriate to give them to some of the women I come across in the various places I will be visiting?
I'm not sure of their culture as to make-up and I certainly don't want to insult them.
What do you think???
I have about 25-30 brand new lipsticks that I got as a promotion.
Would it be appropriate to give them to some of the women I come across in the various places I will be visiting?
I'm not sure of their culture as to make-up and I certainly don't want to insult them.
What do you think???
Sep 15th, 2010, 10:43 AM
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I have been trying to frame a response without seeming judgmental; here goes:
To answer only the question asked, some Muslim women wear makeup and there are cosmopolitan areas of Morocco where I observed it to be the norm. Just as some women wear a headscarf and some do not or some where a complete covering that we usually call a burqua.
Going beyond the question:
Are there women who are going to be hosting you or assisting you in your travels? Because I know some people do give things away as a "hostess" or "thank-you" type gift when traveling to another country and receiving assistance from a guide or host but in any other context it seems almost insulting. If you make some kind of connection with a person, than a small gift like this might be appreciated and then you will know based on your interaction whether she would appreciate/use lipstick but if it's more in the context of seeing women in a small market and offering it, well, that's weird.
To answer only the question asked, some Muslim women wear makeup and there are cosmopolitan areas of Morocco where I observed it to be the norm. Just as some women wear a headscarf and some do not or some where a complete covering that we usually call a burqua.
Going beyond the question:
Are there women who are going to be hosting you or assisting you in your travels? Because I know some people do give things away as a "hostess" or "thank-you" type gift when traveling to another country and receiving assistance from a guide or host but in any other context it seems almost insulting. If you make some kind of connection with a person, than a small gift like this might be appreciated and then you will know based on your interaction whether she would appreciate/use lipstick but if it's more in the context of seeing women in a small market and offering it, well, that's weird.
Sep 15th, 2010, 10:50 AM
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I was thinking of giving them as tokens to guides (in addition to $)and to women as hostess gifts (along with other items I am bringing).
My intention is not to give them out to strangers.
My intention is not to give them out to strangers.
Sep 15th, 2010, 01:22 PM
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As above, you will find women in western attire and wearing makeup with coiffed hair; others more traditional and still others that are covered.
But, if for women as guides or hostesses, instead of handing out hand-to-hand, consider putting a few into a small bag with tissue paper to reflect a "gift" rather than it to appear as an after thought.
On some of my travels, have found many "local" women prefer nail polish over lipstick... duh! Actually had a women putting bracelets (she would otherwise be selling) on my arm, wanting in exchange nail polish as she kept pointing to my hands/nails... thankfully, I was able to get into my bag, extract what I had brought and handed them over. She and her friends were thrilled. I now pack a few colors wherever I travel as one never knows
Such bags and tissue paper are inexpensive and can be packed flat (in a ziplock to avoid spills/dammage) in your suitcase.
But, if for women as guides or hostesses, instead of handing out hand-to-hand, consider putting a few into a small bag with tissue paper to reflect a "gift" rather than it to appear as an after thought.
On some of my travels, have found many "local" women prefer nail polish over lipstick... duh! Actually had a women putting bracelets (she would otherwise be selling) on my arm, wanting in exchange nail polish as she kept pointing to my hands/nails... thankfully, I was able to get into my bag, extract what I had brought and handed them over. She and her friends were thrilled. I now pack a few colors wherever I travel as one never knows
Such bags and tissue paper are inexpensive and can be packed flat (in a ziplock to avoid spills/dammage) in your suitcase.
