I do not claim to be an expert or know what life is like in every middle east country. However, I can speak of my personal observations and experiences since arriving in the UAE. I hope it will shed some light and help educate those who think they know what it is like for a woman in this culture.
For starters, as a non-Muslim I am not required to wear a burka or sheila. Of course, there are a few exceptions where I need to wear a head scarf, but for the most part I am free to wear what I choose. When I went to the mosque and the boy's high school I had to cover my head, but those are the only two places that I have ever had to do that.
As a side notes of sorts, being blonde tends to attract more attention. Strawberry blonde with freckles makes it that much more interesting. You would think that I might want to cover my hair to avoid the attention, however, I have never felt truly skin crawl uncomfortable. Sure I get stares and the men will follow me with their eyes, but I find it no different than the creeps you encounter in any major city around the world.
I have a car, which I drive. I can ride with many women and I do not have to have a male escort. Yes, in some situations having a man with you makes it that much easier, but I can get around and function just fine as a single female. I know that not all middle east countries allow this freedom, but I wanted to make it clear that stereotypes do not fit the bill one hundred percent of the time.
I am not trying to pretend that women are considered equal here, but you cannot always say that is the case in America. I know we all want to believe our country is perfect, but it isn't and neither is theirs. I have found that there are benefits to being a woman no matter where you go. Here lines are shorter. When you are the minority sex, you tend to be able to get things done a lot faster. No lines for the bathroom and shorter lines everywhere else. It helps that most public areas are divided into men and women sections as well. One particular instance that comes to mind is the night I stopped at the bank. When I arrived there were at least 10 to 15 men in line for the ATM, within seconds a group of about 30 or more filled in behind me. I wasn't happy about the wait, but I thought I had no other choice. Less than a minute later a man gestured me to the front. He said something in Arabic to the men ahead of him and before I know it, I am at the head of the line and done in 5 minutes. Now, I know it might have had something to do with their discomfort of being around a woman, but I choose to see it as a kind gesture. We may not have as many rights as men, but we are treated with respect and class a large majority of the time. To find people willing to open doors or carry bags for no other reason than they can, is something you don't find very often in other societies around the world.
Because of the language barrier I am sure there are deeper things at work I do not understand, but as a whole I have had a very welcoming experience in the UAE. I have never been rug shopping and treated so well before. I was offered a seat and then a drink. He sent an employee to buy us sodas from a store a few doors down. Then all we had to do is point and each rug was rolled out. I was allowed to take off my shoes and walk around and test it out. Once I chose to buy, he was ready to fold it and bring it to the car. I could get used to this type of treatment. They are a very hospitable society and I find myself learning something new everyday. I am thankful that I am able to be here and be a part of this culture for a time.
For starters, as a non-Muslim I am not required to wear a burka or sheila. Of course, there are a few exceptions where I need to wear a head scarf, but for the most part I am free to wear what I choose. When I went to the mosque and the boy's high school I had to cover my head, but those are the only two places that I have ever had to do that.
As a side notes of sorts, being blonde tends to attract more attention. Strawberry blonde with freckles makes it that much more interesting. You would think that I might want to cover my hair to avoid the attention, however, I have never felt truly skin crawl uncomfortable. Sure I get stares and the men will follow me with their eyes, but I find it no different than the creeps you encounter in any major city around the world.
I have a car, which I drive. I can ride with many women and I do not have to have a male escort. Yes, in some situations having a man with you makes it that much easier, but I can get around and function just fine as a single female. I know that not all middle east countries allow this freedom, but I wanted to make it clear that stereotypes do not fit the bill one hundred percent of the time.
I am not trying to pretend that women are considered equal here, but you cannot always say that is the case in America. I know we all want to believe our country is perfect, but it isn't and neither is theirs. I have found that there are benefits to being a woman no matter where you go. Here lines are shorter. When you are the minority sex, you tend to be able to get things done a lot faster. No lines for the bathroom and shorter lines everywhere else. It helps that most public areas are divided into men and women sections as well. One particular instance that comes to mind is the night I stopped at the bank. When I arrived there were at least 10 to 15 men in line for the ATM, within seconds a group of about 30 or more filled in behind me. I wasn't happy about the wait, but I thought I had no other choice. Less than a minute later a man gestured me to the front. He said something in Arabic to the men ahead of him and before I know it, I am at the head of the line and done in 5 minutes. Now, I know it might have had something to do with their discomfort of being around a woman, but I choose to see it as a kind gesture. We may not have as many rights as men, but we are treated with respect and class a large majority of the time. To find people willing to open doors or carry bags for no other reason than they can, is something you don't find very often in other societies around the world.
Because of the language barrier I am sure there are deeper things at work I do not understand, but as a whole I have had a very welcoming experience in the UAE. I have never been rug shopping and treated so well before. I was offered a seat and then a drink. He sent an employee to buy us sodas from a store a few doors down. Then all we had to do is point and each rug was rolled out. I was allowed to take off my shoes and walk around and test it out. Once I chose to buy, he was ready to fold it and bring it to the car. I could get used to this type of treatment. They are a very hospitable society and I find myself learning something new everyday. I am thankful that I am able to be here and be a part of this culture for a time.
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