The other week I had to conduct a few transactions at my bank. Given that the banking hours for women are from 0930 – 1600 hours and my working hours are much longer, I had to take time off from work in order to conduct my business. Now this was a time sensitive matter and I had truly forgotten before making arrangements to go to the bank that I did not have an abaya with me.
Since the weather remains cold in Riyadh I have been typically leaving my house in the morning wearing a traditional Saudi farwa. (a farwa is an oversize Saudi beudion robe with fur lining) Due to the bulk and size of the farwa coupled with the fact that I depart from my house and go directly to my office, I have chosen not to wear the abaya to and from work.
Now back to the banking story, I was driven to the nearest branch of my bank to my workplace. To my surprise and dismay I learned that it did not have a ladies section. So I gathered up my courage and wearing my farwa and minus any kind of a head cover, I tepidly entered the men’s branch and asked the first official I saw whether it would be possible to conduct a transaction.
Although I felt very conspicuous, to my relief I was treated with the greatest courtesy and welcomed right in. I was escorted to the private banking section where I was given a seat in an area which sheltered me from the rest of the customers. The manager himself assisted me with my business while offering me coffee, tea and biscuits.
While this is not an action I would wish to take every day I’m glad that it was happily resolved as it was. I’m sure that there must have been some customers wondering what was going on seeing a blond haired, blue eyed American Bedu wearing a farwa being served in their bank! Again, I am thankful and appreciative of the respect and courtesy I was shown by this particular branch.
Given the recent incidents though of an American woman being apprehended by the muttawa while out with a male colleague in a coffee shop, I doubt that I would take any chance and repeat the incident of going into the men’s only branch of the bank.
Filed under: culture, gender, islam, politics, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel, Uncategorized
You sure have guts … !
totally defiant of “In Rome act like Romans” .. lolz!
Brilliant! Glad you were able to sort out your banking business at last!
Excellent! You lead an adventurous life!
And very nice to read a story that shows us that the courtesy and hospitality we also associate with the Middle East still exists too.
Thanks All!
I continue to be fascinated by your writing on life in the kingdom. I have you on my reader and so read often, but lest I be a luker I just want to say I am finding them very imormative
Onedia,
Thanks so much for “speaking out” and posting! I’m glad you are enjoying the various postings.
Regards,
Carol
Carol,
My heart was pounding so fast for you as I read this. I could maybe do that in the U.S. but in Saudia, NO WAY! That must of been a really important transaction you needed to make! LOL! All joking aside, I’m glad it went well for you.
Peace!
Hi Tina! Yes; it was and when I realized that the nearest woman’s branch to where I worked was about 45 minutes away my heart dropped and resolve rose to see if I could get the business done at the men’s branch instead. Thank goodness!
Did it help that you were blond and blue eyed meaning they knew you were an expat?
I’m sure it did…it was quite obvious!
I wonder if I was there what would happen? I am burnett but have blue green eyes. I think as soon as I opened my mouth they would know I am an American. I have a slight southern twang. :^)
The non-Arab, non-Saudi women who somewhat resemble an Eastern woman have to be watchful. What I mean by that is if such a woman is out and about and uncovered, she would likely run a greater risk of being asked to cover her head by a muttawa than a western woman with blond hair. The Eastern women are naturally expected to conform to the traditions of the culture.
Very intersting blog you have here! I hope to be coming by more often!
Thanks Miss Muslimah. It’s nice to have you here.
When my banking cards were stolen and my husband was out of the country, I went to the women’s section to get new ones. They were extremely aggravating during the whole transaction (seemed to be operating in some kind of a fog) and in the end told me they couldn’t help me because their card machine was broken. Sorry. I left and promptly stomped into the men’s section next door, much to the shock of all within. After demanding to speak to the manager, I received the same courteous and efficient service you did. No less than three people were put on the task and in about 15 minutes I was out with my cards. Wonder if it was the same branch? LOL!
Since writing this post I have had other foreign women AND Saudi men tell me much the same in how the men’s branch will give better service to women. I do not think I would try that out regularly as I think it would be asking for trouble but interesting to hear, nevertheless. I have overall had good service when I have also gone to the women’s branch.
The Chicago Sun Times chose to publish this post here:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=CzCso0daZ4bnXBEZgr4vZTMqJCzALfeR4YAiHFCzCrK2htsSRVt