# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Gibraltar's Culture, Customs & Traditions by Gibraltar Rock Tours

# Gibraltar Tours # Gibraltar Rock Tours # Places to visit in Gibraltar #things to do in Gibraltar

# Tours in Gibraltar # What to do in Gibraltar # Private Tours of Gibraltar # Barbary Apes # Gibraltar Apes # Quirky fact about Gibraltar # Gibraltar facts # Love Gibraltar# Gibraltar Culture # Gibraltar Customs # Gibraltar Traditions #

What is a custom? seems a good question to bring up and help us define the difference between a custom and a tradition.

A custom is a usual way of behaving or acting and a tradition is a custom, opinion or belief handed down from one generation to another, often orally or by practice.

It is quite obvious to everyone who has visited or lived on the Rock that the culture of Gibraltar truly reflects the Gibraltarians ' diverse origins.

While there are very clear Spanish and British influences due to the result of the territory's status as a British overseas territory and its proximity to Spain.

The ethnic origins of most Gibraltarians are a mix of Andalusian Spaniards, Genoese, Maltese, Portuguese and British.

The main religion is Christianity, the majority group being the Roman Catholic Church, then the Church of England.

There is also a long established Jewish community, a Hindu community and a Moroccan Muslim population too.

And what is most wonderful and fantastic is that everyone gets along! A true example to the world!

Gibraltarians of Genoese origin came to The Rock in the 18th century, with the Maltese and Portuguese following in the 19th century, coming to work and trade in the British military base.

Spanish Andalusian origins are the result of generations of intermarriage.

During the Second World War, the civilian population of The Rock was evacuated, Gibraltarians were moved to the UK, particularly in London and Ballymena in Northern Ireland, as well as Jamaica and Madeira.

This served to strengthen the Gibraltarian identity, as opposed to simply being British when they returned to The Rock after the war.

Songs and plays were written, an overwhelming sense of unity was created. Which I believe is still true today.

Our National Day although relatively new in our History, must be our most popular tradition, although changes have been made to our celebrations in recent years and even though the most famous and popular red & White Balloons are no longer released into the sky we still manage to have a great day dressed in red & white every year to celebrate our National Pride.

Britain is full of culture and traditions which have been around for hundreds of years. British customs and traditions are famous all over the world. When people think of Britain they often think if people drinking tea, eating fish & chips and wearing bowler hats, but there is more to Britain then just those things and this is also true for us Gibraltarians.

In Gibraltar our Britishness is very important and at times quite apparent, Like the English we also drink tea with scones, and a great Gibraltarian custom is having tea even on a hot summer's day at the beach... come 4ish and the flasks come out and accompanied by a Japonesa (local cake) delivered to the beach by the Bakery van) Filled Bread rolls are preferred to the more British cucumber sandwiches for tea. Another Gibraltarian beach custom is to play Ludo. Usually on a handmade wooden Ludo Board also made Locally, cards are also played and Locals can be seen playing long into late afternoon/evenings on the beach in the summer.

Gibraltarian cuisine is the result of a long relationship between the Andalusian Spaniard and the British and often common to see too much of both types of food at celebratory events.

Breakfast could be a Full English Breakfast or a toast with olive oil, tomato & Spanish ham. We love them both !

We also love Fish & chips but I would call it a custom to have it on Friday's like in the UK but that isn't really so here in Gibraltar and no Bowler hats are to be seen anywhere on the Rock ever !...... we have so many influences from our diverse backgrounds that we have picked up from them all and customized some to make up our own Gibraltarian customs and traditions.

Gibraltar's community love a parade and are common to celebrate just about everything from the Queens Birthday to the arrival of The Three Kings at our Christmas Cavalcade and many celebrations in between.

I was recently given a very interesting book called Our Customs Traditions & Quirks by M. Ruiz BEM GA. It was surprising for me to see myself reflected in this book in the things I do or say as part of my every day life.

Like kissing leftover stale bread before I throw any of it out or having a San Pancracio with a coin on it's finger in my kitchen and some Parsley in a glass of water by it's side. These definitely sound like they are more Spanish to me.

I think we must also have some Italian influences with a custom which I feel is now growing out of fashion and no longer a tradition but was also highlighted in the book, to buy a newborn child a gold hand amulet. In Italy it is known as Mano Cornuto. This was very popular with our parents and grandparents generation but not so much nowadays.

We are a culture with many customs & traditions, too many to mention now but it just seems to me and makes me a little bit sad to think that some of these will disappear with time in our ever changing world.

These local books are true treasures full of history and explanations of the how's & why's we Gibraltarians are like we are. I will definitely be looking out for more on the subject.

I really hope this was as interesting for you read as it was for me to explore and write about and oh thanks for reading!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gibraltar Rock Tour - Customs and Traditions | Gibraltar Rock Tours

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Gibraltar's Culture, Customs & Traditions by Gibraltar Rock Tours # Gibraltar Tours # Gibraltar Rock Tours # Places to visit in Gibraltar #things to do in Gibraltar # Tours in Gibraltar # What to do in Gibraltar # Private Tours of Gibraltar # Barbary Apes # Gibraltar Apes # Quirky fact about Gibraltar # Gibraltar facts # Love Gibraltar# Gibraltar Culture # Gibraltar Customs # Gibraltar Traditions # What is a custom?

# data[].attributes.body
Den vigtigste religion i Gibraltar er kristendommen. Dernæst er der majoritetsgruppen, som er den romersk-katolske kirke og derefter Englands Kirke. Gibraltar er også et langt etableret jødisk samfund, et hinduistisk samfund og en marokkansk muslimsk befolkning også. - og det fantastiske af det hele er, at alle er velkommen.

Derudover, er deres nationaldag en meget populær tradition. Det lykkes dem stadig den dag i dag, at klæde sig i rødt og hvidt hvert år for at fejre deres nationale stolthed.

Gibraltarisk køkken er resultatet af et langt forhold mellem den andalusiske spanier og briterne og ofte almindeligt at se for meget af begge typer mad på festlige begivenheder. Morgenmaden kan altså både være en engelsk morgenmad eller en skål med olivenolie, tomat og spansk skinke. De elsker dem begge!

Gibraltars samfund elsker en parade og er fælles for at fejre stort set alt fra Queens fødselsdag til de tre kongers ankomst på vores julkavalkade og mange festligheder imellem.

# data[].attributes.headline
Forskelle og ligheder mellem Gibraltar og Danmark

# data[].attributes.subject
Forskelle og ligheder mellem Gibraltar og Danmark

# data[].attributes.body
- En af forskellene er fejringen af diverse højtider, episoder, personer og helligedage. I Danmark fejrer man de store højtider som Påske og Jul, men i Gibraltar fejre man stort set alt man kan komme i nærheden af med store parader og festligheder.
- Morgenmaden er anderledes
- Protestantiske er den dominerende religion i begge lande
- Styreformen i Gibraltar består af en guvernør og en lille parlamentarisk forsamling, men er under styre af den britiske dronning.

# data[].attributes.body
Danske og engelske normer er meget ens, bare husk og sig please, sorry og thank you, så er du good-to-go

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Guide to Etiquette in Spain - Spain Forum - Tripadvisor

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Answer 1 of 11: Guide to Etiquette in Spain Every country has its own culture and if one is smart, one should study the etiquette of that country before visiting that country. One always wants to show that he is a good ambassador of his own country and one does…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Morocco has been called "home" by many different people throughout the centuries. In addition to the indigenous Amazigh (Berbers), the country has hosted a variety of cultures coming from the East (Phoenicians and Arabs), the South (Sub-Saharan Africans), and the North (Romans and Spanish Andalusians - both Muslim and Jewish) throughout history.

Today, the majority of the population identifies as Berber or Arab and the country's official language is Arabic. Morocco is a Muslim country, with 99% of its population identifying as Sunni Muslim, but religious minorities are widely respected.

Moroccans are a very welcoming and tolerant people towards different cultures, ideas and ways of life. This doesn't mean they don't have strong beliefs and cultural norms - and you should definitely avoid offending those at all costs. Things that may be commonplace in your native culture can be misinterpreted when discussing culture and etiquette in Morocco. Below are a few rules (or hints) to make sure you respect the culture throughout your tour of Morocco and as you make heads and tails of this fascinating country.

Clothing

As a conservative and religious country, clothing is something you have to be mindful of when visiting Morocco. Especially in rural areas, you should always attempt to cover body parts considered "private". For women, this can mean covering the arms (or at least the shoulders) and the knees up. For men, it requires covering up the shoulders and above the knee.

In cosmopolitan cities, such as Marrakesh, Rabat and Fez, the dress code is more relaxed and common to see women wear short-sleeve tops and knee-length skirts and men often wear sleeveless t-shirts. If you are ever unsure about what to wear, keep in mind that the best guide to knowing what is appropriate is to note how the locals dress and follow their lead.

Greetings and Gestures

Moroccans tend to be more formal when greeting than Westerners. When you meet someone for the first time, it is common to inquire about marital status, children, as well as the health and well-being of one's family. Moroccans typically greet with a handshake and sometimes two kisses (starting with the left cheek) but this only occurs when the two people greeting are of the same sex. In any greeting that takes place between a man and a woman, the woman should extend her hand first if she wants to be greeted - if she does not do this, a man should bow his head in greeting.

Public displays of affection in Morocco should also be kept to a minimum, as this is a conservative culture. Hand holding is considered platonic between members of the same sex but homosexuality between Moroccans is illegal. (Read more about Morocco for LGBTQ travelers in this post.)

Any gesture you make in Morocco should be done with your right hand (yes, even if you're traditionally a lefty!). The left hand is considered impure and is saved for bathroom duties and cleaning chores. All greetings, dining manners and other gestures should be done with your right hand. It is also impolite in Morocco to point at someone with your index finger to motion them towards you. You should instead beckon someone by placing your palm downward and sweeping your hand towards yourself.

Mosques

Unfortunately, if you are not Muslim, you are not allowed to enter most mosques in Morocco. The only exceptions to this rule are the ancient Tin Mal Mosque in the High Atlas, the Great Mosque at Smara in the Western Sahara, the courtyard of the imperial sanctuary-mosque of Moulay Ismail in Meknes, and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.

In other mosques, your experience is limited to a few snapshots of the magnificent outer structure and some stolen glimpses through open doors. However, even in these cases you should be sensitive: peering into mosques may be considered acceptable to locals in the main tourist cities, but in the country you should be a bit more hands off.

Walking through graveyards, near koubbas (tombs of local saints), and near zaouias (religious schools and monasteries) should also be avoided as these are considered holy places.

Ramadan

Ramadan is a month-long holy celebration held each year in the Islam world. The Islamic calendar follows a lunar pattern so every year Ramadan is held at a different time in the Western calendar (it generally moves 10 days forward on the later calendar from year to year). This month of celebrations is dedicated to swam, or fasting, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. From sunrise to sunset, the faithful abstain from food, drink, tobacco, and sexual thoughts and activity to focus on spiritual renewal.

As you can imagine, this month of fasting has a deep impact on daily life in Islamic countries and Morocco is no exception. While traveling during Ramadan is a great opportunity to discover Islamic culture and customs, it does require some planning ahead. Although you are not required to fast while in Morocco during Ramadan, it is expected that you show respect by avoiding eating and drinking in public places. For more practical information on how to travel in Morocco during Ramadan we have a complete post on the subject.

Dining and Social Events

If you happen to be invited into someone's home, know you will have an amazing experience. However there are also some rules of etiquette to be followed. First, it's important to always make sure that your spouse was also invited with you. Some Moroccan families may be more conservative and thus not entertain mixed-sex groups or may organize separate dining areas for women and men.

As soon as you enter the home, you should remove your shoes and leave them by the door (your host will let you know if such a formality is not needed). It is also a good custom to come bearing gifts. These can typically be a treat such as pastries, figs, dates, nuts or fresh juices. Fresh flowers can also make a great gift and you can also consider bringing a smaller present for the children of the household. Avoid bringing alcohol (unless you know that your host drinks and exactly what they enjoy) and never bring hot dishes.

Once dinner is ready, expect to be seated on a floor mat around a knee-high round table with one communal dish in the middle, or on couches around a large round table. Before the meal is served, a wash basin may be brought to the table: hold your hands over it while the water is poured and then dry them on the towel provided. When your host starts eating you may begin as well. If you are eating from a communal dish, keep to the triangle of food immediately in front of you. It is custom to use your right hand to eat however if you are left handed it typically is not an issue or faux pas. Expect more food to be offered to you once you stop eating. It is polite to refuse the first time and then take a small portion upon a second food offering. If you are completely full, simply pat your stomach and shake your head while saying " La, shukrran " ("No, thank you"). Do not be surprised if your host continues to push you to eat, it is a sign of respect and generosity.

Tipping

Tipping in Morocco is customary, so you will be expected to leave a few dirham in a number of places during your travels through the country. Although there is no standard amount that you should always leave in different establishments and different circumstances, we've covered the most basic rules of thumb to help you out.

In hotels, you should tip bellboys (10-20dh depending on the size and number of suitcases) and cleaning maids (20dh or 100dh per week). At restaurants, you should always tip your waiters but this will vary according to the style of the restaurant: consider leaving about 5dh in moderate places and 10%-15% in more upmarket establishments. At museums, monuments and local tourist attractions, it is custom to leave 3-5dh to curators.

If you indulge in a spa treatment during your holiday, you should consider tipping here as well: it's customary to leave 20dh to 25dh per person that services you.

Taxi drivers don't typically expect a tip but generally appreciate it so you can always consider rounding up your bill to the nearest 5dh.

Tipping tour guides and drivers is a more subjective experience. You can consider giving 100dh per hour to your professional tour guide and giving anywhere from 5% to 10% to your driver at the end of your trip. If you get lost and someone helps you find your way back to your hotel, restaurant, etc., consider offering a 5dh or 10dh tip.

In all cases, tipping is a very emotive attitude and it's often based on a personal perception of the quality of the service provided. Even though it is customary to tip in Morocco, how generous you are can be left up to you and to your satisfaction. The most important thing to remember, however, is to never ask someone how much they are expecting to receive in tips from you. This will only lead to an awkward conversation and you will still be left in the dark.

Women in Morocco

There is no doubt that for women traveling in Morocco it is different than traveling in a Western country. In Morocco, gender roles are much more defined and the traditional views of a patriarchal society are quite prominent which means women will have to take extra precautions when discovering the colorful streets of Morocco. Women may experience catcalling and more attention from members of the opposite sex, the best way to deal with this is to completely ignore them. Should you feel uncomfortable at any time, promptly alert the nearest police officer for assistance.

Women are generally expected to dress more modestly, not engage in drinking or smoking in public, and avoid physical contact with men. Although this code of behavior is now more relaxed in big cities such as Rabat, Marrakesh and Fez, it is important to follow it in rural Morocco. Pay attention to the Moroccan women around you to gain helpful clues as to what is acceptable. Visiting women are not expected to dress as Moroccans do, but a little bit of respect can go a long way.

We hope these basic culture and etiquette tips will help you have an enjoyable time in Morocco without worry!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Morocco Culture and Etiquette: Skills to Succeed

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Morocco has been called "home" by many different people throughout the centuries. In addition to the indigenous Amazigh (Berbers), the country has hosted a variety of cultures coming from the East (Phoenicians and Arabs), the South (Sub-Saharan Africans), and the North (Romans and Spanish Andalusians - both Muslim and Jewish) throughout history.

# data[].attributes.body
- Det er helt almindeligt for både mænd og kvinder i Spanien at give kindkys, dog ikke i formelle
sammenhænge (som ved et møde)
- Man skal ikke røre ved, give hånd eller klappe en spanier på ryggen, hvis ikke man kender dem rigtig godt. De skal derimod række dig hånden.
- Det giver dårlig opmærksomhed at  skille sig ud ved at gå med farverigt tøj
- Mænd kan godt give lette knus til veninder
- Man bør ikke gå i shorts (især ikke hvis man er kvinde: kan risikere at fremstå som en der sælger sin krop)
- Man klæder sig elegant og konservativt på ved forskellige arrangementer
- Man må ikke give blomster der er hvide eller gule
- Mænd og kvinder har elegante accessories på - f.eks. ure, og businessmænd går eksempelvis i slips og jakkesæt uanset vejret
- I sydspanien er det uhøfligt at komme til tiden: man skal derimod komme ca. en halv time senere
- Hvis man taler til en voksen bør man tiltale dem som senor eller senorita
- Øjenkontakt mellem mænd og kvinder kan misforstås som et romantisk signal
- Medmindre man har meget høj status er det ikke underligt at klø sig i skridtet, selvom andre kan se det (som mand)

# data[].attributes.body
Når man besøger andre folk er det normalt efter aftale, og man dropper ikke bare forbi.

Det er høfligt at tage sit hovedbeklædning af når man træder ind af døren

Når man møder folk giver man et hårdt og fast håndtryk.

Man kindkysser ikke første gang man mødes

Hvis man skal præsentere en yngre mand for en ældre mand, har den ældre mand højere status

Mange brittere kan godt lide chokolade

De har en striks og respektfuld køkultur

Man kommer til tiden, hvis man har aftaler. Ellers er man meget uhøflig.

Man venter med at sætte sig til værten har sat sig ved bordet når man er inviteret hjem.

Facts over emotions.

generelt reserverede og private folk.

Det er uhøfligt at afbryde folk

Det er ikke forventet at give drikkepenge, men det er sat pris på.

Man skal ikke stirre, eller pille næse.

Meget brug af sorry/please som høflig tale, man bruger også cheers som tak.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Det er vigtigt for kvinder at dække knæ og arme/skuldre, og det er for mænd vigtigt at dække lår og skuldre, for at respektere deres kultur. (Ikke lige så strenge krav i turist som f.eks. Tangier)

2. Man må ikke pege, da det er uhøfligt. I stedet for skal man sætte sin håndflade nedad og skubbe den med sig selv.

3. Man må godt holde i hånd (det er platonisk, men homoseksualitet er forbudt.

4. Hvis man vil hilse ved håndtryk med en der er det modsatte køn, er det forventet at kvinden skal indbyde først. Hvis hun ikke gør det, bukker manden.

5. Alle høfligheder fungerer med højre hånd - dette gælder også når man spiser fast food eller drikker af flasker i offentligheden - medmindre at der er noget der forhindrer en.

6. Vi har ikke adgang til moskéer, da det kun er muslimer der har adgang.

7. Det er normalt at efterlade drikkepenge, helst 10-15% af prisen.

8. Da Marokko er et meget konservativt samfund, er reglerne selvfølgelig anderledes. Det anses derfor som uhøfligt for kvinder at ryge eller drikke i offentligheden.

9. Udvis altid respekt for landets kotume. Vi er gæster og repræsenterer Danmark. #Represent

10. "No, thank you" = "La, shukrran"