Travel
Dear Lydia,
Whenever a person travels anywhere, they need to first try to discover the morals and ethics and general behaviors of the people there and then try to follow etiquette, clothing and other guidelines very closely.
I have found that just as much as westerners act out in the Middle East, Middle Easteners sometimes act out here. They come in judgment of our morality and often start with the belief that all western women are sluts. I knew a guy who lived here for four years, was good friends with my husband and me, yet referred to American men in general as "White dogs". It is a two way street and this might be part of the problem when western women go to Egypt, also. Many people have already decided we are sluts without even meeting us. What we wear might not change their opinion in the least, but I still think we should try to dress appropriately to the moral and dress code of the country. I certainly does not hurt and might even help.
Meanwhile when some Arab guy tries to pick me up in a club in MY country and then tells me I must be available because I am wearing an off the shoulder sweater, I let him have it and inform him quite obnoxiously that this is America and I can wear what I want without it being a personal invitation to him! (That's kind of fun!)
Regards,
A'isha
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