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In Saudi Arabia so much is done to enforce conformity. When in public, most of the men and women look very much alike. The women are a sea of black in their abayas and hijjabs. Many of the Saudi men choose to wear the traditional long white thobe and a smaugh atop their heads.
Segregation continues to be enforced both publicly and in many Saudi homes. Restaurants, banks, hospitals and other businesses have separate sections for men and women. Within some Saudi homes a brother-in-law or sister-in-law will never meet let alone see one another. She may get to see him but in all likelihood she’ll be fully covered at the time.
Saudi schools are segregated. Even in most businesses which employ both sexes, there will be separate areas for the men and the women in which to work.
Given that there are few natural opportunities for interaction, it is not unusual for the single Saudi male or female to have an innate curiosity about the other. Yes; young women will enjoy having discussions about Saudi men they have seen or heard about. Young men may also discuss with their friends their desire to meet or get to know a certain woman.
However, the culture and traditions of Saudi Arabia are such that a young man and young woman are not to be in contact with one another unless they are engaged. Then they may be allowed to speak on the phone or maybe text one another. There is generally no personal face-to-face interaction until after marriage.
As a result, a young adult Saudi may be naïve about intimacy and relationships. Sure, they are curious but who do they ask or who can they talk to when those subjects are viewed as taboo? It’s not unusual for a young Saudi man or young Saudi woman to no little on what to expect exactly on a wedding night. It’s just not something that is discussed; it’s too personal.
Therefore, it was with great surprise that I learned of a new blog on the blogosphere that is written in the English language by a Saudi male. It’s called “Sex and Beyond: Saudi Arabia.” This Saudi blogger is taking sensitive issues head on and writing in a direct yet unoffensive manner on the subject of sex and within the context of the traditions and culture of Saudi Arabia.
Filed under: culture, Freedoms, relationships, Saudi Arabia, Saudi blogs, Saudi culture, Saudi Living, Uncategorized | Tagged: blogging, culture, customs, Love, marriage, Relationship, Saudi Arabia | 24 Comments »