This is where I *could* start with a really good joke about an Ali Baba laundry basket, but I shall spare you, and leap straight in with the story instead. It’s not panto season….
Saudi Arabian women are up in arms, and there’s not so much as a burning effigy of George Bush in sight. It’s all about lingerie, you see. Panties, bras, that sort of thing. Nothing at all to do with the ex-president – unfortunately. Tony Blair doesn’t get a look in, either. Fancy that? The Saudi undies business is facing a revolution over the use of men, and only men, as shop assistants in clothing stores. About time too.
Strict segregation laws that prevent physical contact between unmarried men and women mean that Saudi ladies can’t be measured for size in store. Throw in a ban on fitting rooms, and they’re left with the only option of buying and trying on later. Refunds are easily obtained, but that’s hardly the point.
The campaign leader, Reem Asaad, has even set up a Facebook group, which can be found here (Facebook Login, required):
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?%20gid=20469931029
I say, do your bit of good today. Join the group and help these Saudi ladies out.
And just to be clear about it, civil unrest – including effigy and flag burning – is really quite uncommon in Saudi Arabia. I would hate for readers to form the wrong impression of the place.
I joined the group but it’s about the limit I’m prepared to go to fight for Saudi women’s lingerie buying rights.
It’s amazing that there hasn’t been much in the local media on this. Shameful, really. I work for a local English newspaper in Saudi and I’m in the process of trying to get Reem Asaad’s interview. Should make good reading.
Halo, The Facebook group is certainly gaining pace, though. Please feel free to come back and post a link to your interview when it’s finished – assuming it’s available online, that is.
Cheers Robert. The interview should be published on Tuesday so I’ll post the link then. It would be great to know what you think about this issue, and I could include your opinion in my feature. It’ll add a great and unique dimension to the issue.
In the eighteenth century a mini-revolution took place in the footwear industry. Until then, shoes and boots had been made the same for both feet. The wearer would try them on one way, and then the other. Whichever felt more comfortable was the way they’d end up being worn. Along came shoes in left and right, and everything changed – hence the phrase “If the boot were on the foot…”
I view the issue of lingerie sales in Saudi Arabia in a similar fashion. Underwear instead of footwear, male and female instead of left and right, but I’m sure that if the roles were reversed and Saudi males were restricted to buying their undies from stores run only by ladies…well, let’s just say I doubt that situation would have ever arisen.
For me, it’s not about buzz phrases like ‘women’s lib,’ or ‘human rights.’ Nor does it have anything to do with questioning different cultural and religious attitudes, or interfering in Saudi politics. The issue is a straightforward case of affording people a say in matters surrounding their everyday life, and allowing them to make decisions on affairs that affect them rather than having such decisions made on their behalf. It’s also a timely reminder to those of us in the West that freedoms and rights we take for granted were hard fought for.
Hopefully, the support from overseas will make a real difference to the campaign, but only time will tell. It’s certainly a superb example of how a local situation can be raised to a global level via social networking.
I’m more than happy for you to quote me as you see fit. Look forward to seeing your article.
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009030330972
Oh goodness. I completely forgot to paste the link to my article here. My apologies Robert. I hope you enjoyed it.
Cheers and sorry again.
No worries, thanks. Excellent article, btw.
this girl from iran . . . .
of course u r know iran girls
looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool
What girl? If you mean the one in the photo, I described her as a ‘Muslim Lady Viewing Lingerie’ without claiming she’s from any particular country. As far as I’m aware, though, the photo was actually taken in Turkey not Iran!