Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

I think it's a good idea... not the cracking down, but at least if they have a law they have a proper framework and hopefully some consistency. There is talk of leaflets in hotels and at the airport etc. Education can only be a good thing.

and if tourism tanks as a result... great, quieter bars, pools and cheaper hotels for me.

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

Its about time they came out the Dark ages and got with the program.

FGM, Stoning for adultery, Honor Killings, Not being able to drive, Wearing black in this heat, Seen as baby machines, A life of 'obeying your husband' - all these things happen because of tradition. That is also perfectly acceptable Mentalist?

Whilst I agree, there are a lot of shit women drivers out there and a wife should tend to my every whim, Its a pretty repressive life in a day and age when the world is evolving, giving equality to both the sexes?

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

On another note, My friends Missus got a phone call yesterday morning on her way to a meeting in Doha. "Hi, dont take this the wrong way, but what are you wearing today"? Her reply was a "A Skirt over knee length"

She had to cancel the meeting, The office security had banned any women going into the building without wearing trousers.

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

Are you seriously suggesting that abayas should be handed out at shopping malls? When I think of the hypocrisy and wrongdoing I see in the Middle East, whether a woman has her arms fully covered registers pretty far down the scale. I don't think I'm alone in that school of thought and all the pretend media coverage in the world won't change that....

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

Cool idea. Full face burqa (not a hijab) as well obviously and the gloves for good measure. Does anyone remember reading about how the glimpse of a ladies ankle in Victorian times was something shocking? I suppose that times change and move on.

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

This seems to be your hang up not the world's hang up. A pair of shorts worn by a man is surely not considered over-sexualisation of men? Are you applying this idea unequally?

I think people should dress appropriately for the conditions, nobody usually rocks up to a church like they stepped off the beach so I don't understand why they do this at mosques (especially ex-pats who should know this better than tourists)

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

It really isn't that hard to dress without revealing a lot of flesh, although part of me does wonder why everyone gets so hung up about seeing the human body. You've either got it or you've seen it.

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

You're thinking of the Cole Porter song "anything goes" where a 'glimpse of stocking was something shocking..."

The Victorians were highly sexual people who simply kept things proper in public...if you read literature from the time it's frankly filthy, wonderful stuff. Compared to the GCC, the Victorians were miles ahead in most regards. They get a bad rap for no reason - judged in their time they were leaders of the world in almost every positive social reform.

Rule Britannia and all that!

N.

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

Mathematist, can you please give me the number of the Taliban office here in Doha ? In view of future developments, I'd like to enquire if they happen to have a spare Burqa for me.
You see, I just can not bring myself to spend money on hideous things.

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

Looks like you guys are going to be first....http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-n...dress-code-law

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

Ha ha ha, I'm sure if you go, they'll offer one for free...:thumbsup:

Talking about them, Yvonne Ridley may be a better person to ask! She don't wear an abaya but is modestly dressed last I remember...

This is not about burkas or abayas. It's about not wearing very revealing clothes on par with what prozzies wear and night-club attire in a public area such as a park and of course, malls. Wear what you want, but not in public is the message.

Clearly, people are having problems understanding this.

You see, I just can not bring myself to spend money on hideous things. she says. Exactly what most of the non-white expats think why spend so much money on something hideous that doesn't cover anything...

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

I agree that some people are inappropriately dressed in malls etc, but surely a law is the wrong way to go about stopping it. Not even Saudi has a law stipulating dress-code. A law governing what clothing is deemed decent can only ever be too strict!

Information and education is by far the better approach, but the problem is that most people who are in fact offended don't speak up and of course the guards in the malls are useless. For an information approach to work it will require commitment.

UAE is a land of contrast as we all know though. On one hand it is a conservative society, but on the other hand they are pragmatic enough to close their eyes to all kinds of goings-on in the name of progress. I can understand the reasoning behind the overall approach, but introducing laws that could end up being ultra-conservative kind of clash with the whole idea. Could it be considered the first step in a new approach? What does it mean for the huge number of expats in the country? What does it mean for tourism?

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

Define 'very revealing', or try to define what clothing is appropriate? You'll find that you're very quickly on the slope to abayas.
In your ever so humble opinion of course :blink:

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

Whilst I am a firm believer in dressing up rather than down and always for the occasion I think this issue in this region is quite misdirected.

People, not clothing are indecent or not. Look at the rude stares, the reckless driving, the jumping lines, the screaming on the phone and the general 'me first' attitude of both local and expat alike and then decide if a national dress code would make the country a better and more decent place.

Dress codes are wonderful things for schools, institutions and private companies...but no damned government anywhere has any business telling people what to wear. That's the job of culture and society.

N.

Re: Lack of Clothes - again
 

Oh come on... of course you KNOW what inappropriate clothing is. If you don't, then what can I say, oh dear, you really must be a deluded individual living in cuckoo land mate...

The fact that for the last few weeks, it's been everywhere in the media means that this is being taken to another level...

Best start using such clothing to wash your car or scrub the floor with now love although the surface area of such clothing may not make much contact with anything...

By the way, I keep on saying I am not going to reply to this thread anymore, but end up doing so...but I'm sure nobody would want Mathematist and his thoughtful comments to disappear now would they...:thumbsup: