Are these shorts too short? Foreigners told to cover up in UAE (A follow up to NJ event)

It comes down to respecting the customs and mores of another country and culture.

The travel agent should be aware of these different cultures when handling arrangements for clients. I was booking a trip to the British Virgin Islands a few years back with my then girlfriend, we were informed by the travel agent that beach wear, such as bikini tops, etc..., were frowned upon anywhere away from the beach.

This is much the same, though a bit more strict, obviously. If you are in their country? It's their rules. That's the way it should be.

We may not like it, but it is what it is.

Originally posted by beezzer
If a debate came up against catholics, I'd get squirrely and show up wearing a cross!

A bunny in a squirrel dress?! HOW DARE YOU, SIR!! Oh a cross.. lol you cannae fool me, you rabbits.. !!

But you see, even with the oft lamented poor taste of piss christ, poorly wee xtians only said "I don't like it." The mad freaks would have gone all out blowing people up moha .. wait, they did.

I just see it as very one sided. And when they get snotty and blow things up, I hear "Well how dare we disrespect their way of life." while in the same breath I hear "Well we should do as they do in Rome, especially in Saudi Arabia."

I don't actually care if I see a woman in full garb parading her children in line like ducklings, or sitting in the backseat of the car with mr beardy in the front, sneering at all and sundry that consider it sexist.

I do care when it's boiled down to a fervent inability of people to accept us heathens. If sally somalia wants to wear full clothing in 40c heat, let it be her choice. But don't expect to be given rights over everyone else - hoodies were in the news a while back, because a lot of criminal groups of kids wear them so as to hide their faces. Thats fair. No hoodies in malls. Same with banks. Can't wear a helmet into one, because it hides your identity.

It's of no consequence to me if a lady is wearing a nuns habit, a burqa or a bikini. Albeit I do prefer the latter. But here we are comparing two examples of the extremes WE are told to go in order to appease only one side.

That's where I put on my mankini and want to walk into myers. I bet I get escorted out. But then, I can't claim religious equality when it's only me being told what I can't do... and they get to do it anywhere they want.

btw I'm not xtian. I was.. but the hysterical bollocks contained in what calls itself religion today, makes me turn my head and cry.

When I was a young woman and still had a good figure,
I showed it off.
Now,I am an older woman with religious convictions and
I cover up.I wear skirts and dresses,no pants,slacks or
jeans.My skirts go down to around my ankles and I wear
more modest blouses and tops.
I would never consider telling anyone else how to dress.
That is a personal decision and not one that I can make
for another.I don't have a problem with the muslim women
wearing their burgas.I have a problem when they try to force
their moral codes onto others.You can't force people to
behave and dress according to your religion.Women of faith,
be it a muslim woman or christian,should be examples to other
women on how to properly dress in public.

reply to post by smyleegrl


oops read the name of the place wrong. It is how that countries laws are so the tourists already should know this and be respectful. I say that you are in someone else's land respect their laws I think it is a law? Some other poster in the other thread said when they travelled the travel agent told them to keep as covered as possible. That's why they tell them that.

reply to post by beezzer


Oh lol I forgot to mention - the debate was not against Islam at all. It was a discussion about current events in the country we live in. It wasn't an attack. There was no agenda.

But she felt it was an attack. I guess. None of us - adult students - were antagonistic. It was all reactionary.

Should women in islam feel threatened if they wear a veil, and what does it mean in our society. For an adult class that was supposed to be mature about it, her reaction, while never confronted, said more about how she felt about us than it did her own identity.

It's one thing to become defensive when the atmosphere is toxic. But another thing to become defensive at the mere suggestion of talking about something.

On the other hand, I also knew some Afghani girls. I don't know if they were muslim or not, but they wore a scarf. And they were just like all the other giggle little girls you'd expect to see in a school environment. MIgrants coming to learn. Sure they kept to themselves, but always seemed open to having a chat.

I suppose I can say the negatives about a lot of people like that, and to put it all on one person is unfair. That's true. But either it's more noticeable in the current political climate we all live in, or the more the merrier. And it's certainly a lot more now than is was when I was still in school. (before I returned to tech).

It certainly does not foster a comfortable social arena, when it appears just asking a question in an honest and open discussion, results in a complete defensive situation and one that you cannot say a word about for fear of being seen as validating said defensive attitudes.

ahh well, lol this is why I prefer to remain reclusive. youz allllll offendz me, I'z stayin over here... My little spot.

Where Im safe from the conundrums and dirty germs you humans carry... Oo

Originally posted by NowanKenubi
I hope she knows it should be BOTH ways. If SHE comes to America, she should be fined if not dressing like women do here.

And how exactly do women dress here?

I see a myriad different styles on women, and none are *wrong.* I might find some nasty, distasteful, and disgusting, but rarely wrong.

I'd like to see how many of these people who claim freedom of dress and the like think it is OK to ban baggy pants on African Americans.

Then again, Dubai has a different culture, and they grow up different. When they see something to which they are not accustomed, it certainly stands out. It doesn't make the opinion to do something about it right or wrong, just different.

I am tired of people comparing the US to other countries only when convenient. "Well, if we did that in their country," etc. But this is AMERICA, and we don't WANT to be like other countries in regards to intolerance (even though we are in many ways).

What makes us great is that we are NOT like, so why do some of you want us to be even more repressive?

reply to post by Liquesence


Begs the question, why do people with such extreme dislike of a certain culture, one that is established and well known, want to stay where it is predominant?

Makes no sense to me that even if someone born here finds the society they live in to offensive, they'd rather oppose it at every turn, than become part of a culture that they accept and feel socially acceptable in.

alas, it will continue, ad nauseum until breaking point - and I hope I'm long gone bfore that occurs. Francs was an eye opener. Where you live or where I live. There is little difference.

Originally posted by Scaledown
There's a story i heard that happened in the UK. a woman collected porcelain pigs, and had been collecting them her entire life, they where her pride and joy. She lived near a mosque and the congregation was highly offended that she had pigs in her front window. They complained to the police that this was offensive and the the police confiscated her pigs.

As some previous posters have stated. What's good for the goose is good for the gander!

How would this lady feel in abu dhabi if this women moved to her country and was outraged that she had a religious symbol on her door and demanded it was moved?

I agree that when your in the country you respect the customs ...

Now that is ridiculous! Let's just say if they ever get pork removed from the menu at my favorite mall food court then there is going to be some problems, lol. That is pretty much what this equates to. Also my daughter loves pigs and also collected them. I would feel devastated if they confiscated hers, she was very young (8-10) when she did collect those pigs.

Originally posted by Liquesence

Originally posted by NowanKenubi
I hope she knows it should be BOTH ways. If SHE comes to America, she should be fined if not dressing like women do here.

And how exactly do women dress here?

I see a myriad different styles on women, and none are *wrong.* I might find some nasty, distasteful, and disgusting, but rarely wrong.

I'd like to see how many of these people who claim freedom of dress and the like think it is OK to ban baggy pants on African Americans.

Then again, Dubai has a different culture, and they grow up different. When they see something to which they are not accustomed, it certainly stands out. It doesn't make the opinion to do something about it right or wrong, just different.

I am tired of people comparing the US to other countries only when convenient. "Well, if we did that in their country," etc. But this is AMERICA, and we don't WANT to be like other countries in regards to intolerance (even though we are in many ways).

What makes us great is that we are NOT like, so why do some of you want us to be even more repressive?

OKAY have you seen the people of wal mart, in some respects I wish we did have laws against certain things like this ( it didn't post and I haven't got the time to go upload and do all that but for example: Fat women in short shorts and tank tops, that should be against the law. It sucks but some of us doing our grocery shopping might not want to see that lol.

reply to post by smyleegrl


I don't know why everyone is making such a big deal about this...

If one is at beach resort in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, one is free to wear a bikini--just like at other tourist destinations.

"When in Rome...do as the Romans"...respect local customs...is it such an inconvenience to cover ones knees or shoulders when you go to a public (not private hotel/condo) environment like the mall? I know it gets very hot and humid, but there is some A/C...and can't one go for capris or bermudas and a simple t-shirt? That is all that's being asked. Common sense to me.

Just because the US and other countries have a lax dress policy doesn't mean that the reverse should be applied here only to certain individuals?

The UAE is actually one of the more moderate of the Arab, Muslim countries.

Other ME countries like Saudi Arabia do not allow these luxuries, so I would personally avoid them as a (mostly) Westerner.

reply to post by ldyserenity

Yes, i have most certainly seen People of Walmart (website & reality), lol. Which was what i referring to when i said i might find some things nasty, distasteful, and disgusting. They do, however, allow for an EXTREMELY interesting observation as a species, and i don't have to look at it (unless I'm in line behind an elephant in a dirty pink thong, in which case i can get in another line), nor do i have to be offended by it. I don't even have to go to the WM, but it's cheaper than the zoo, and far more interesting, lol.

Should it be illegal? No. Should WM or other stores have policies? Sure. Should fat chicks were pink shorties that say juicy? Heck no!

But still not illegal, lol.

reply to post by mainidh
I think we agree for the most part. I will defend anyone wanting to wear, act, speak how they wish.

But that defense ends when it infringes on anyone else's rights.

I enjoy a wee nip of scotch every great now and then. (Constantly, really.)

And I respect those who don't want to experience the joy of a single malt.

But the second that they try to impose their brand of temperence on me. . . . . . .

reply to post by ldyserenity


I couldn't resist...

I quite see your point .

As someone said earlier, "when in Rome". Locals mores and customs should be followed.

If they think that is offensive wait til they come here or to france and go to a nude beach!


While i see nothing wrong with her attire they do have different belief system and hell when in Rome as they say.

In this case When in Abu Dhabi .

Originally posted by Telos
***snip***
Faceless hypocrites. This stupid cow
***snip***
Makes me sick to the stomach.
***snip***
ninjas with those burqas and face covering veils
***snip***
Pure B.S., hypocrisy and double standard.
***snip***

WOW!

scared the crap out of my kids giving them nightmares for over a week

How children react is directly proportional to how their parents bring them up.

***snip***
I'm ok to be tolerant, welcomed and hospitable***snip***

Ha ha ha! Oh my Gods. What a load...

Here in the above post you have the perfect example of what is wrong with the world today. Extremism plus retardation...and you have the dough for the perfect crap pie.


p.s. Please, next time try to agree with my post otherwise it'll be to hard for me surviving the sadness...

This pisses me off for some reason.

On one hand, I feel that bitch should mind her own business. As the old adage goes, "If you don't like what you see, don't look". And, additionally, nobody should get to tell anyone else what to wear. Period. She should have better things to do than twitter about some random girl in hotpants, really.

But on the other hand, as much as I hate to admit it, I see her point of view, because it is a religiously rather extreme country, and as the OTHER old adage goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans". That was common courtesy once, before this era of War on Terror. The tourist chick should've thought of that. There's not really any need to ruffle feathers when you go to a country in the Middle East.

So, yeah, I dunnow. I get angry reading it, but at the same time, it's their country, their rules, as much as it sucks to admit it.

I enjoy looking at scantily dressed females as much as the next man, but sometimes we see women dressed to show as much as possible (without getting arrested) and young women (teenagers) dressed as if they are "on the street" looking for customers.

It is easy to understand why some countries don't really like that. In this case it is a middle eastern country, but there are plenty of other places where a display of too much skin is frowned upon.

On the other hand much is said about religious extremism and how wrong that is.

I ask you to consider the religious extremism that you find in good ol' America.
Gays shouldn't marry.
Politicians can't be pro abortion.
Religiously based attacks and murders on people and clinics performing abortions.
Men having sex with many girls get to be little heroes. Women having sex with many men are sluts.
"In Gold We Trust" (sorry about that - it should of course be "In God We Trust").
Swearwords are beeped out on television - even though everybody knows what they are saying.
Allowing religious nutters to stop the teaching of evolution in schools.
To name a few examples...

Clean your own house before you demand others to clean theirs.

Their hangups are (among a lot of other things) scantily dressed females.
You have different hangups.

IM SEXY AND I KNOW IT...!

reply to post by smyleegrl


When you're in another country you are obligated to follow their laws or face the penalty for breaking them. This is a culture clash. Ofcourse we know the men had no problem eyeballing those womens' exposed legs, ofcourse this is an invitation to be raped by local men.

Personally i don't care, it's not like theyre wearing string bikini's and fornicating on the sidewalk, but like i said if you're in some other country you're obligated to follow their laws and ways or pay the penalty. This is a 2 way street though, i know islam tries to say that people must obey the laws of their land but when they come to the U.S. they think they can ignore our laws and ways in favor of their own and then use the "right to religious freedom" to support their cause. Islam likes using our own laws against us and under the right to religious freedom, our hands are tied.