Saudi Women Boycott Male Salespeople Selecting Their Bra Styles by:Tiffany Hart
The women in Saudi Arabia are boycotting the fact that male salesman are the ones that help select their bra styles
. They are now flooding the select few women's only stores for to buy their favorite bra styles. They feel it is an invasion of privacy. In a country that is so conservative that there is a strict segregation of sexes, this is an outrage.The strict Islamic laws have woman dressed from head-to-toe in black robes. They can not undress with a man outside. They can not even undress in a mall because the man is near. However, men can help women select their bras. They are the main salespeople because a saleswoman would not be able to wait on a man. To make matters worse, fitting rooms are banned since the women are not allowed to change. These salesmen look the women up and down. They are trying to help them select the proper bra size but it is very demeaning to these women. They are not allowed to live in an integrated society but they are allowed to be scanned for bust size and panty size measurements.
Everyday Saudi salesmen are talking to women about their bras, thongs, and even demonstrating how to wash stains out. The salesmen are even embarrassed but they do not want women to go home with the wrong sized bra. They have to look and check out their customer's female figure. They also need discuss their needs and wants with bras. They are there to help. However, this help is intimidating and embarrassing. Most of the women have little choice. There are very few women-only stores.
In the United States, it is still almost unthinkable to have a male salesperson helping a female customer with her bra and panty needs. Most women do not even like a male picking up the phone in a lingerie store. They feel discussing lingerie with strange men are very intrusive and invasive. The United States prides itself on being in the forefront with equality and rights. So, imagine the unspeakable personal violations that a conservative Saudi woman feels when shopping for lingerie.
Saudi Arabia is so conservative that their mannequins have to dress appropriately. Mannequins in bra stores have to be dressed in pajamas. They are not allowed to depict women in a sexual manner. They also have to be headless to keep with the ban on realistic depictions of women. They are so concerned with the realistic and sexual depictions of women, yet they allow men to talk to women about their most intimate apparel.
Most women due to the embarrassment try to grab their bras and panties as quick as possible. They feel like they are buying contraband. They often end up with the wrong sized bra or several different sizes. They just do not want to feel embarrassed and invaded. Others, if they can afford it, go overseas to buy their lingerie. Through boycotting, the Saudi women hope to get a 2006 law implemented. It states that only female salespersons can work in an apparel store for women.
Saudi newspapers and other social networking groups have written about this issue. Petitions are being passed around the country. Word-of-mouth is spreading like crazy. In a conservative society, like Saudi Arabia, women want to be able to try on, shop, and discuss their lingerie without the unwelcome presence of strange men.
About the author
Tiffany Hart writes for DivaBras.com - your online resource for plus size bras for women with real bodies.
http://www.divabras.com