tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676316.post8735851338590493912..comments2024-03-26T08:18:06.895-04:00Comments on Moristotle & Co.: Third Monday Musing: MashrabiyahUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676316.post-33480708034257953742014-02-18T13:32:29.351-05:002014-02-18T13:32:29.351-05:00Eric, thanks for reminding us (as Ed has taken pai...Eric, thanks for reminding us (as Ed has taken pains to do also) that the situation is fraught with danger, and dangers that are not always appreciated by naive, taking-things-for-granted Americans.<br /> I very much dislike Gothic stories that have an ingenue a nearly central character, because having to identify with such a person makes me feel very, very uncomfortable (is the presence of an ingenue already an ESSENTIAL element of any "Gothic story" anyway?). Well, it just occurred to me, I also feel uneasy in much the same way when I watch a movie portraying Americans obliviously "acting like Americans" in crowded streets or bars in certain other countries. "Obliviously" is the operative word (and perhaps "acting like Americans" is an operative phrase); they seem to have NO IDEA what "marks" they have to be in the eyes of at least some "elements" of the humanity surging about them, even of professional kidnappers.<br /> If I sound a bit phobic here, it's likely because I simply am, and am admitting it in no uncertain terms.Moristotlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02211602374384087074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676316.post-13871187989050443722014-02-18T12:50:36.865-05:002014-02-18T12:50:36.865-05:00I agree with Ed: I'm not going to risk it. But...I agree with Ed: I'm not going to risk it. But, from what I've read, the Arab male response to western (i.e. non-Muslim) women is very different from the respect given to Muslims. There seems to be a feeling that, by wearing less (or simply by not submitting to the moral teachings of the Qur'an), western women have looser morals, and thus are fair game. But the example also points out a potential level of sexual frustration among the men. Morris' acquaintance may not have done her homework by getting into a taxi unchaperoned by a male she trusted, and quite frankly by being there in the first place. I think my firm seldom sends female professionals to Saudi Arabia because of the inequality and the risks. Americans often take their constitutional rights for granted. One of the benefits of international travel is realizing the blessings we enjoy at home. Thanks for reading!Eric Meubnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676316.post-11378817532018291272014-02-17T21:59:37.816-05:002014-02-17T21:59:37.816-05:00I think they kill you for dressing like that there...I think they kill you for dressing like that there.Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676316.post-30277103402223882922014-02-17T13:09:35.849-05:002014-02-17T13:09:35.849-05:00Chuck, I feel similarly and am glad it's Eric ...Chuck, I feel similarly and am glad it's Eric and not I who is exploring that culture. In reading Eric's report, I remembered an account by a female business woman of getting into a taxi with two Arab men (from the business meeting) and being almost immediately physically groped by BOTH of them. There may be some more (pretty troubling stuff) for Eric to discover about Saudi Arabian mores. But he might have to dress up in drag to confirm the businesswoman's allegation.Moristotlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02211602374384087074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676316.post-41911220800935566562014-02-17T12:48:07.981-05:002014-02-17T12:48:07.981-05:00Thank you. I'm always fascinated to learn how...Thank you. I'm always fascinated to learn how an alien culture looks from the ground. I suspect that in this case its beauty would be lost on me, though. I can't help seeing it as a morally unacceptable denial of individual liberty, especially for women. My sympathies are with Malala.Chucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676316.post-51772074032278474422014-02-17T10:33:10.825-05:002014-02-17T10:33:10.825-05:00Enjoyed the tour, but if ever I might have wanted ...Enjoyed the tour, but if ever I might have wanted to visit---I have gotten over it. I was wondering if maybe the beauty you see is like a flower growing in a garage pile. It becomes more beautiful because of the ugliness around it. Be careful, I doubt they would send Seal Team 6 in for you.[smile] Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676316.post-39718708805164617172014-02-17T09:44:41.235-05:002014-02-17T09:44:41.235-05:00GOOD MORNING brother, wow and wowGOOD MORNING brother, wow and wowscpricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08375186489851315589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676316.post-30228514599780836002014-02-17T07:46:13.892-05:002014-02-17T07:46:13.892-05:00Thank you, Eric, for bringing back from Saudi Arab...Thank you, Eric, for bringing back from Saudi Arabia this fascinating account of how the Saudis impose screens between themselves and outsiders.Moristotlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02211602374384087074noreply@blogger.com