SIGNS OF CULTURE - "FAMILIES ONLY"

SHOPS CATERING TO WOMEN ARE DESIGNATED "FAMILY ONLY"

I CAN'T IMAGINE WEARING SEQUINED UNDERWEAR!

"FAMILIES ONLY" = WOMEN + CHILDREN.

MALE CUSTOMERS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A FEMALE.

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WEEKEND ROUNDUP - LETTER "U"

STARTS WITH "U" - UNUSUAL - MACHINE GUN KEYCHAINS AT A 5 RIYAL STORE

"UNDER" AN UMBRELLA - VENDORS IN THE SUN

A FAVORITE - "UNEXPECTED" IN A LINGERIE SHOP

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FRIDAY BLISS

 

Souk Shopping

Even though lingerie shops are supposed to be staffed by women, there are still plenty of other small shops in souks that employ men in those positions. Since these shops also sell clothing items for men and children too, they are allowed to keep salesmen in these positions.

 I've seen lots of funny videos lately of people making face masks out of brassieres. Have you seen any?  Hope you all are doing well with this CoronaVirus Twilight Zone we are all living. 

Jeddah Lingerie Shop

Colorful and sexy lingerie on headless mannequins in a shop window in Jeddah ...

a sharp contrast to the shop's customers, all clad in black.

Our World: Confusing

I'm always taken aback by the confusing mixed signals I see in displays such as this here in Saudi Arabia.  The model's faces are completely blurred out in this advertisement for sexy women's lingerie. 

Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.

Creepy

Despite laws now in place requiring businesses in Saudi Arabia that cater to women to actually employ females to sell those products, there are still some businesses that don't seem to have gotten the message.  Most lingerie and cosmetics shops in malls have made the switch to replace salesmen with a female sales force.  But I have still seen shops here and there that still employ men to sell brassieres and panties to Saudi women - ironic for a place where there is strict gender segregation enforced.  These photos were taken in a Jeddah mall just a few days ago.   

Our World: Crystal Bras

For such an uptight and sexually repressed society where women must cover up like nuns when out in public, I am always surprised and amazed at the variety of unexpected goods and products available here in Saudi Arabia.

Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.

Family Only Lingerie Shop

"Family Only" has become a common sign outside many businesses in Saudi Arabia.  Restaurants have historically had family sections apart from single men's sections.  But now lingerie shops are required by law to restrict single men from going inside without a female family member.   It's always confusing to me to see window displays such as this sporting a half naked headless mannequin, yet women in public must be totally covered - usually in black formless cloaks - from head to toe.

Mountains of Bras for Sale

There are still places like these that sell mountains of women's lingerie, but the good news is that new laws implemented in Saudi Arabia now demand female salesclerks in lingerie and cosmetics shops.  YAY!  It was really creepy before, women going into upscale lingerie shops and having to purchase undergarments from a strange man.  Plus there were no dressing rooms to try on the items.  Of course in a place like this one, there are no fitting rooms.  I don't know how women can purchase a bra without trying it on...