Clearly I haven't posted in a while. Please don't hold it against me, I promise I will explain in a future post. But onto more important things. Facebook. Sometimes when I hear ridiculous, entertaining, jaw-dropping, mind-blowing, is-this-$hit-even-real stories, I tend to just post them on Facebook because it's faster and the satisfaction I get from getting "likes" outweighs the time it would take to write a blog. But I'm going to try to collect all the craziness and provide a little commentary. Here are some Facebook stories that I have neglected to update my blog readers on...
1. Men Selling Panties May Disappear as Saudi Lingerie Stores Can Hire Women
Yes, you read that right. Given the strict level of separation of men and women in this country, it is most embarrassing to try to buy a bra from some creepy dude who is clearly assessing what you have going on under your abaya. A friend of mine tried to escape the muttawa by going into a lingerie store only to have the old, bearded man follow her into the store and demand she cover her head. I will provide an update in January to see if any women will actually be working in the lingerie stores. I'm skeptical that this will actually be implemented, but hopeful nonetheless.
And you may be thinking that it would be easier to just order a bra online and have it delivered to my home and save the embarrassment. Unfortunately, online shopping hasn't caught onto the Saudis. Most business is done entirely in cash, credit cards are hard enough to use. Though, McDonald's, KFC, and Popeye's provide home delivery in the Middle East.......?!
2. Saudi Arabia's Religious Police Outlaw 'Tempting Eyes'
So I barely manage not to trip over my abaya on a daily basis without showing too much ankle, now I may be asked to cover my entire face. As my Dad commented, "Tempting is in the "eye" of the beholder. Maybe the tempted should cover their eyes instead". Couldn't agree with you more!
3. Letting Saudi women drive will promote premarital sex
I'm no scientist. I haven't taken a science class since high school. But I like logic. Things that make sense. Cause and Effect. Due Diligence. Coming to a reasonable conclusion after some appropriate research.
I have tried using all the reason I have to try to understand this research process but still I do not understand. The irony of it all is that not allowing women to drive encourages interaction with unrelated males. We are forced to take taxis and buses everywhere where the driver is a stranger. *sighs*
4. Hindustani
Onto a lighter, more exciting topic. Everyone loves Bollywood. The feel-good movies, the infectious songs, the dances, the larger-than-life movie stars. The genre appeals to so many different cultures and I love that. The latest Bollywood movie is number 4 on the U.A.E. cinema charts. When people find out that I am of Indian origin, the typical response is "Oh, from the land of Shah Rukh Khan". Yes, from the land of SRK. Evidently, the Arabs love Bollywood so much that they have produced an entire show in Arabic!
A glitzy new OSN produced musical comedy; Hindustani was filmed in Mumbai with a Saudi cast and was inspired by the US hit show Glee.
Watch for yourself and be dazzled!
Until next time,
-M
1. Men Selling Panties May Disappear as Saudi Lingerie Stores Can Hire Women
Yes, you read that right. Given the strict level of separation of men and women in this country, it is most embarrassing to try to buy a bra from some creepy dude who is clearly assessing what you have going on under your abaya. A friend of mine tried to escape the muttawa by going into a lingerie store only to have the old, bearded man follow her into the store and demand she cover her head. I will provide an update in January to see if any women will actually be working in the lingerie stores. I'm skeptical that this will actually be implemented, but hopeful nonetheless.
And you may be thinking that it would be easier to just order a bra online and have it delivered to my home and save the embarrassment. Unfortunately, online shopping hasn't caught onto the Saudis. Most business is done entirely in cash, credit cards are hard enough to use. Though, McDonald's, KFC, and Popeye's provide home delivery in the Middle East.......?!
2. Saudi Arabia's Religious Police Outlaw 'Tempting Eyes'
So I barely manage not to trip over my abaya on a daily basis without showing too much ankle, now I may be asked to cover my entire face. As my Dad commented, "Tempting is in the "eye" of the beholder. Maybe the tempted should cover their eyes instead". Couldn't agree with you more!
3. Letting Saudi women drive will promote premarital sex
I'm no scientist. I haven't taken a science class since high school. But I like logic. Things that make sense. Cause and Effect. Due Diligence. Coming to a reasonable conclusion after some appropriate research.
I have tried using all the reason I have to try to understand this research process but still I do not understand. The irony of it all is that not allowing women to drive encourages interaction with unrelated males. We are forced to take taxis and buses everywhere where the driver is a stranger. *sighs*
4. Hindustani
Onto a lighter, more exciting topic. Everyone loves Bollywood. The feel-good movies, the infectious songs, the dances, the larger-than-life movie stars. The genre appeals to so many different cultures and I love that. The latest Bollywood movie is number 4 on the U.A.E. cinema charts. When people find out that I am of Indian origin, the typical response is "Oh, from the land of Shah Rukh Khan". Yes, from the land of SRK. Evidently, the Arabs love Bollywood so much that they have produced an entire show in Arabic!
A glitzy new OSN produced musical comedy; Hindustani was filmed in Mumbai with a Saudi cast and was inspired by the US hit show Glee.
Watch for yourself and be dazzled!
Until next time,
-M
