The tribulations a Saudi woman must endure in trying to buy lingerie in the Kingdom is the subject of this piece from Al-Watan Arabic daily, here translated by Arab News.
The awkwardness could certainly be avoided by permitting women to sell lingerie. Why there is such a bar is mysterious to me. Were women permitted to act as salespersons, the only males they would have to deal with would be a few male customers and delivery men (as currently no Saudi woman is going to be driving the delivery trucks).
Lingerie Woes
Modi Al-Zahrani • Al-WatanNow that summer is coming, winter clothes are on sale. People tend to excessively buy clothes that are on sale as if they have been naked all year long. The mockery is definitely apparent at lingerie shops that sell items at wishful prices that often do not match the product’s quality or country of manufacture.
In spite of that, lingerie shops use an array of means to attract customers — even if this means displaying goods on mannequins to draw customers who would eventually buy what is on display.
Unfortunately, lingerie shops are still staffed by young salesmen who are torn between two modes of behavior. The young salesman could either be bold when presenting lingerie. If he is lucky, his style may suit bolder customers leading to a successful sale. On the other hand he could be hesitant in initiating contact with customers — especially the shy ones who are usually accompanied by their husbands inside these small shops where every move or whisper is noticed.
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April:06:2008 - 16:58
No comments? I can’t believe it. I’ve been waiting for something insightful, yet bitingly witty from Sparky!
April:06:2008 - 17:25
I believe Sparky is off doing insightful and witty things in W. Europe at present!
April:06:2008 - 19:30
What can I say, surely one of the weirdest hypocritical arrangements in KSA.
I already find the ladies in the lingerie-shops here mega-scary!!!
No way I would discuss my ”foundation garments” with a man!
Let’s hope Sparky will read everything when she is back! At least she got her wish: we’re not having much fun without her!
April:08:2008 - 15:31
Hello Friends
I was half tempted to ask a man if he would mind modeling a sexy outfit for me. I was torn as I was looking at him. Thinking what would he say. Would he do it? Would he hide behind the racks and excitingly model it for me? Maybe I should try it one day. I mean go into a shop and say before I will buy something I would like to see it modeled on a real person LOL…There aren’t any dressing rooms in most (nearly all except a few) stores soooo people are busy and time is money.
About Germany…you are spot on John. It was great and we (“We ARE FAMILY…I got all my sisters with me!) had a BLAST!
April:08:2008 - 22:02
I was half tempted to ask a man if he would mind modeling a sexy outfit for me.
Ha-ha! Would you believe it, I actually had that job once, modeling women’s undergarments. Not in a store, but in a visitor interactive at a fashion-oriented history exhibit. I was told by my supervisor (female) that if a visitor asked, it would be improper for me to help her on with them, I’d have to demonstrate their function by putting them on myself in front of the vistors (over my ordinary clothes, of course).
Solomon2 in stays and layered underskirts! Believe it or not!
April:12:2008 - 14:34
Hi Solomon2 That is interesting so you can come to Saudi to model some stuff for me then
I believe anything anymore lol….
April:12:2008 - 16:56
I want to see photos!
April:13:2008 - 00:12
I went sari shopping in India and an ever helpful salesman strutted up and down with a sari draped around himself to demonstrate the embroidery on the “pallu”–the part thrown over the shoulder.
I bought the sari because of the experience.
April:13:2008 - 08:39
I’m sure the entertainment value at least equaled that of the sari!
April:14:2008 - 01:54
I’m sure the entertainment value at least equaled that of the sari!
I don’t know what was funnier: the salesman parading in the sari or my American friend’s whispered inquiry as to whether all sari-salesmen were closeted cross-dressers.
Either way, purchase price was well worth it.