Its well expected to be ask tourist price at places like Marrakech Medina Market. Generally it will be a few USD dollar at most for any help or any minor tourist activities.

I saw this snake charmer playing with a cobra snake, and it would be a wonderful photo opportunity for FIN. I ask how much in the beginning, and they kindly said anything I want, avoiding putting a price tag on it.

After a few not so inspiring photos, I offered them 20 Dirham (2 Euros), more than generous. They gave me back the money and said “for the 6 photos, you should really give 400 Dirhams, it really worth that much!”

I got so freaking mad that I started deleting photos, I told them this isnt worth 400 Dirhams. I would rather delete them. I didn’t even like any of those shots anyway.

No matter which developed countries we are from, 40 euros is a lot for just a few photos using your own camera. They really have no clue the value of 400 Dirham for a tourist. For them, 400 Dirham is way more than what the avg makes in a day over here. To put it in more local perspective, 400 Dirhams will buy you 6 Tajine Dinner is a very tourist priced restaurant, with luxury such as air cooling mist, on top of the terrace, over looking the town square.

It is sad how this square has changed due to the sudden boom in tourist, attracting non locals Moroccan to work their game, creating a sour tourist experience. With 4 snake charmers and a bunch of exotic snakes surrounding you, while one guy has a firm grip on your arm and telling you in the eye 400 Dirham is what they deserve, I’m sure all it takes is one tourist willing to pay that 400 Dirham to get out of the situation.