Latest news with #marriageproposals
Daily Mail
13-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Female solo traveller reveals the country where she was bombarded with marriage proposals - and says men are so pushy you can't just politely refuse to speak to them
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 moderately 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. 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. '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. '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.
Condé Nast Traveler
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
Charleston Sailing Charters — Tour Review
Zoom out. What's the big picture here? Charleston is hemmed in by water: two rivers merge to form the harbor. And while it's great to watch regattas from land, it's surprisingly easy to get out there yourself—no experience necessary. The folks at Charleston Sailing Charters (CSC) have slowly grown their fleet for almost two decades, offering fully crewed excursions on any of their multiple vessels, from a roomy motor yacht that can accommodate larger parties, to sleek and meticulously maintained sailboats with a passenger limit of six (Coast Guard regulation). We booked a two-hour sunset tour on a French-made 43-foot beauty called the 'Fate' (cue the theme-song from Gilligan's Island). What were your first impressions on arrival? We parked at the Safe Harbor Marina on Charleston's west side, where our captain awaited with a cart to transport our bags. A short walk through the lattice of floating docks, past impressive mega-yachts, quirky houseboats, and old-school Gatsby-era cruisers, took us to our vessel. Shoes off, and we stepped barefoot (with a polite assist from the captain) on deck. A quick tour of the monohull, with its cozy cabins and comfortable galley, and we were ready to glide. Tell us about your fellow tourees. We were all friends—three couples who love a glass of wine and good conversation, and don't mind wind in our hair. You could reserve the entire boat exclusively (lots of marriage proposals here), or if you are an avid sailor, you could be as active a participant as you care to be, but we were there to enjoy the breeze and just be taken care of. And the level of service? CSC doesn't cater, but they have established relationships with local caterers, so they've got great recommendations for gourmet markets like Caviar & Bananas who will hand deliver goodies to the boat. In our case, we brought our own wine and charcuterie board courtesy and the crew took it from there, serving and pouring throughout the voyage. One of the owners has an interest in a Yadkin Valley, North Carolina vineyard, and we were all pleasantly surprised by the quality of his Montepulciano (available on board for a price). Best of all, drinks don't spill: they stay magically anchored courtesy of weighted, flexible, silicone drinkware, no matter the pitch of the sailboat. How were the guides? Our captains were two: one younger and affable who skillfully manned Gucci-level electric winches while topping off our drinks, the other slightly older and very experienced, with something like 50,000 nautical miles under his cap. The latter, Captain Ryan, is also a history buff, so he was able to teach us about Castle Pinckney's fortifications as we sailed past them, and to share maritime war trivia about Charleston's harbor, from the Revolutionary siege to Civil War bombardments. Anything you'll be remembering weeks or months or years from now? Little things, like the moon reflected in the harbor as the shrimp boat lights came on, our smooth-as-silk, slow-motion sail past the flickering lanterns of the Low Battery, and how the captain referred to sea spray as 'Nature's kiss.' Anything else to keep in mind? A few hours on the water was dreamy, but CSC offers longer and even overnight sails where you travel 40-60 miles down the coast and back along the intercoastal waterway, dine at the Salty Dog Café at Bohicket Marina, and spend the night in cozy cabins fully equipped with in-room showers. So bottom line: why should we book? Because sea spray and dolphins really do cure everything.
