A travel influencer has opened up about her nightmare solo travelling experience in a popular tourist destination, after she found herself being ‘bombarded with marriage proposals’.
Karolina Wachowicz, 35, from Krakow, Poland, felt like a ‘neon sign’ as she wandered the streets of Morocco, a popular tourist destination for Brits.
A ‘blonde single woman’, she felt her presence noticed on every corner, with men shouting compliments at her in French and Arabic, and following her down the street to ask for her name and relationship status – and even for her hand in marriage.
Although she initially took the attention as ‘harmless’, and ‘maybe even flattering’ Karolina’s patience soon grew thin as the barrage of unwanted admiration continued, even when she was modestly dressed.
And the men were persistent. She said ‘refusing politely’ was rarely respected, and she would often find herself having to cross the street to avoid admirers, or trying to cast them off by saying she had a boyfriend.
So ‘suffocated’ was Karolina by the attention that she left the city early, instead choosing to visit rural towns and villages where she felt safer.
Karolina said she was initially motivated to visit Morocco after seeing glamorous pictures shared by fellow travel influencer Katarzyna Lawrynowic, who regularly posts glittering content about her time in Marrakesh.
‘As a blonde, single European woman, you are not seen as just another traveller, you become the spectacle,’ Karolina said.
Karolina Wachowicz, 35, (pictured) from Krakow, Poland, felt like a ‘neon sign’ as she wandered the streets of Morocco, a popular tourist destination for Brits
A ‘blonde single woman’, she felt her presence noticed on every corner, with men shouting compliments at her in French and Arabic and following her down the street to asking for her name and relationship status, and even for her hand in marriage
‘Every glance, every comment, every offer of help is loaded with meaning you never asked for.
‘Here, it’s not about seeing Morocco as a tourist, it is a daily lesson in holding your boundaries, keeping your nerve, and realising you have to rewrite the rules for every block, market, or bus stop.
‘In Marrakesh, the onslaught is sharp and constant. Men make comments out loud, sometimes in French, sometimes in Arabic, as you walk by.
‘At first, you think the compliments are harmless, maybe even flattering, but they don’t let up, and you realise their persistence is never just about curiosity.
‘Refusing politely is rarely respected; instead, men often push for your name, your plans, your relationship status.
‘Sometimes, a casual “I have a boyfriend” is the only answer that truly stops them.
‘Yet the moment you let your guard down, or even just smile out of nervousness, it can be read as a signal to try harder.
‘In cafes and markets, you quickly learn to focus your gaze, answer monosyllabically, and keep walking.
Although she initially found the attention to be ‘harmless’, and ‘maybe even flattering’, her patience soon grew thin as the barrage of unwanted admiration continued – even when she was modestly dressed
So ‘suffocated’ was Karolina by the attention, that she left the city early, instead choosing to visit rural towns and villages where she felt safer
Karolina said the attention became even more intense when she left the city and travelled to small towns and rural villages
Karolina said she was initially motivated to visit Morocco after seeing glamorous pictures shared by fellow travel influencer, Katarzyna Lawrynowic, who regularly posts glittering content about her time in Marrakesh
She said: ‘As a blonde, single European woman, you are not seen as just another traveller, you become the spectacle’
‘Men bombarded me with questions and compliments, even sudden proposals!’
Karolina said the attention became even more intense when she left the city and travelled to small towns and rural villages.
‘The attention is sometimes suffocating.
‘Simple acts, like sitting in a café or shopping for groceries, become events.
‘I couldn’t cross the street without at least one person asking for a photo or money. Marriage proposals were, of course, also common.
‘Here, any visible skin or uncovered hair is read as a statement, no matter how modestly you think you are dressed.
‘Suddenly, you realise that even a light summer dress and exposed shoulders can make you the focal point for requests, proposals, or relentless questions.’
‘Their eyes could slice through me, especially if I wore something slightly less modest than their standard.
Despite the frequent attention of local men, Karolina said the opposite was true of the women
Despite the challenges, Karolina said it’s possible to enjoy time in Morocco ‘if you understand just how different the social codes are’
‘The key to survival is a blend of thick skin, improvisation, humour, patience, and cultural sensitivity,’ Karolina said
‘A skirt above the ankle or uncovered arms was enough for some to glare or shake their heads in disapproval.
‘On one occasion, a woman even raised her voice and scolded me in Arabic.
‘I didn’t understand her words, but the tone said it all.’
Despite the challenges, Karolina said it’s possible to enjoy time in Morocco ‘if you understand just how different the social codes are’.
She added: ‘Morocco can challenge and exhaust you, but it will also teach you resilience, flexibility, and the importance of cross-cultural kindness, if you’re willing to look beneath the sometimes exasperating surface.
‘The key to survival is a blend of thick skin, improvisation, humour, patience, and cultural sensitivity.’
Despite the frequent attention of local men, Karolina said the opposite was true of the women.
‘Instead of sisterhood, I was met with openly cold, critical stares,’ she said.
