Pages

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Jeddah: Saloon Turkey


Barbershops in Jeddah are called "saloons" instead of salons.  I still get a chuckle out of this after more than five years living in Saudi Arabia because of the connotation of "saloon" where I come from - which seems especially ironic in a place where alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited by law. 

5 comments:

  1. Both saloon and salon have the same root, it is odd that saloon has evolved into meaning a drinking place (and I would guess it is also becoming archaic with that meaning).

    ReplyDelete
  2. It always makes me laugh too but because I envision a line of turkeys waiting to have their feathers clipped.
    Another sign I saw said Aluminium Chickens I think it meant Aluminium Kitchens.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wikipedia says that saloon is an Indian term for barber's shop.. Jeddah is full of Indians so I wouldn't be surprised to see such thing!
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saloon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Anonymous - I didn't think to Google it. Makes sense now.

      Delete

I welcome your comments and questions, but please be nice!