"Dining Out in Saudi Arabia a Police Matter"

That's the AP's headline for a report by Diana Abu-Nasr from the Arabian land conquered by the Saud family (and renamed in their honor):

I was still looking over the menu when the commotion began. The waiter sprinted in and shut off the TV that was airing a female pop singer's video clip. Another waiter hastily put up a wooden partition to screen me from the male diners.

Saudi Arabia's religious police were on the prowl.

Eating out in Riyadh is an unusual experience, apt on occasion to give the diner indigestion. The restaurants are trendy and serve all manner of local and foreign delicacies. But they are subject to the austere mores of an Islamic kingdom — no unmarried men and women together, no pop music, not even service with a smile...

I once found myself sitting on the steps of a coffee shop with two women — an American and a Canadian — after being ordered out during the prayer break. We found it interesting that in a country that takes extreme measures to shield the sexes during meals, we were being made to eat on the street.

Some Saudis are comfortable with the restrictions.

"I have the freedom to eat and enjoy the company of my friends without being harassed by men," said Haifa Abdul-Aziz, lunching in an enclosed restaurant booth.

Faisal al-Badrani disagreed. "We should all be together," he said. "I don't want this segregation."

Both are 18 and in high school.

Al-Badrani said when he takes his girlfriend out they risk arrest.

"We're all scared," he said. "But if the girlfriend loves you enough she'll go out with you."

...Because women are barred from working as waitresses, the staff is male. To give women time to cover up properly before they go into an enclosure, waiters knock and say "Excuse me." They are advised not to smile, lest it's taken as a come-on to the women.

I once walked into a bakery to order a manousheh, a pizza that's popular in Lebanon, my home country. The cashier got hysterical and kicked me out. Now I know better: I stand outside the door, waving to a waiter to come and take my order.

That evening at the restaurant, my waiter was gone more than 15 minutes after screening me off. It turned out he had been led away by an inspector.

He came back looking relieved. He had been let off with a mild warning.

An early breakthrough in the American civil rights movement were the 1960s lunchcounter sit-ins protesting segregation at Woolworth's restaurants (see above). Maybe Haifa Abdul-Aziz and Faisal al-Badrani would lead the 21st century equivalent at a Saudi restaurant?

0

0

0

0

0

0

Comments

[gucci shoes]

I will persist until I succeed. I must have the night to appreciate the day. I must fail often to succeed only once. Posed By gucci shoes

[Creative Recreation]

So nice to study your perfect weblog on the spare time. Your write-up brings me different type of feeling about the literature.

[Impotence causes]

I would first like to send a greeting to the readers, I share with my comment. for me everything that is extreme is great, I love all that is risky or totally impossible, I feel that that is what makes life interesting. who supports me? life is extreme!

[Cheap viagra]

My name is Rachel, I live in a place where strange situations occur every day, which is why I spend hours and hours sitting in my chair, watching the computer, I confess that since I have this habit never had the opportunity to read an article so interesting, I hope to continue to make contributions similar to or better than these. Thank you very much ...

[ivy]

the biggest feature is definitely enough to shine in the light irradiation is the focus of all attention,UGG bootsSale the metal loading efficiency usually relatively bulky dress, emphasizing the effect of self-cultivation, ugg womens boots and generally to tee mostly fine style sling. As the metal loading effect of the dress easier to light refraction in the Sale UGG bootsbanquet hall, try to choose the color of the shoes is a wise move low-key.

[Air Force Ones]

Detailed descriptions can best reflect the author's creative abilities, which stem from life and are summed up from life.

[generic cialis]

Thank you for sharing your great ideas.

Please keep continue like that

[moonboots]

The most beneficial process to go approximately that is to join a third person paid back review webpage. Which has a third special event given get a bird's-eye view of websites, you are likely to be proven lists of tested and proven to pay back get a bird's-eye view of sites.

[Ugg boots Sale]

The 3rd celebrate eye web site may also provide software which helps make completing these surveys a mouse click within your mouse. As an alternative to filling surveys just one right after one other, this software system will fill the survey along with a simply click of the mouse determined by your preferences. It will be this technique that vast majority of paid study takers use to create revenue over the internet working with satisfied surveys with none headache.

[gucci shoes]

Every country and every nation is not the same customs, and some look incredible, but at another very difficult to change them.

[Discount Coach Bags]

Would you love coach Bags? would you love fashion? If you answer is yes, you should go here right now!Here is your choice.

[Elijah]

Is it to rescue Mr Cameron from his impetuosity?,deflect pressure on Saudi Arabia and Bahrain?

[authentic jerseys]

thank you for sharing!
this is excellent article!i learn a lot information form this article,it open my eyes.