tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928481807787723755.post3269856592055596460..comments2024-01-30T07:45:47.337-05:00Comments on Sadie Abroad: And the Dress Code Is...Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348502564760792668noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928481807787723755.post-27883925424626671832010-09-24T13:29:50.734-04:002010-09-24T13:29:50.734-04:00this is fascinating. I'm going to link to you ...this is fascinating. I'm going to link to you from my blog.Bfileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17657766918735380467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928481807787723755.post-26378909278656903602010-08-28T12:09:18.608-04:002010-08-28T12:09:18.608-04:00Very interesting. I'll have to re-read the blo...Very interesting. I'll have to re-read the blog post and the indepth comment. Thanks so much.<br /><br />And thank you for your service to our country.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12442161798588161621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928481807787723755.post-27157942049380831742010-08-25T03:46:03.813-04:002010-08-25T03:46:03.813-04:00Isa Lee and Sadie,
Thank you both for the explana...Isa Lee and Sadie,<br /><br />Thank you both for the explanations. It totally makes sense that when you're not at work or "on duty" you would rather not show everyone you're US Diplomats and be just like any other ex-pats!<br /><br />Tourisita.tourisitahttp://tourisita.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928481807787723755.post-24541873600094956712010-08-23T22:35:13.993-04:002010-08-23T22:35:13.993-04:00I resisted until I realized that the abaya is idea...I resisted until I realized that the abaya is ideal airplane garb (a socially acceptable snuggy that hides awkward airplane seat contortions and is remarkably stain-proof) and from that point I had to have three. With embroidery. And sparkles. Preferably looking all-around bedazzled. It happens.Liz Lnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928481807787723755.post-15734123173391980272010-08-23T11:17:11.367-04:002010-08-23T11:17:11.367-04:00Thank you all for your readership and comments. M...Thank you all for your readership and comments. My colleague/friend Isa touched on a lot of important points (esp culture vs religion), but there is one more than I'd like to stress. In my blog posts, I am writing about my personal life only. My work life does not get chronicled here. But I will elaborate for clarity. I don't wear abaya for work or for many social events or in the car. The abaya is for going out in public on my personal time. When an event bridges personal and professional life, the dress code may go either way, depending on the circumstances. Again, I appreciate your comments, and thank you for bringing up an important topic!<br /><br />-SadieSadiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04348502564760792668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928481807787723755.post-55695494203914123762010-08-23T04:51:00.314-04:002010-08-23T04:51:00.314-04:00Actually, we DON'T have to wear the abaya...bu...Actually, we DON'T have to wear the abaya...but it's a good idea. I never ever wear mine when I'm on official business; I wear a suit. I only wear mine when I'm going shopping or out to run errands. <br /><br />I don't wear the headscarf (hijab) but I carry one with me, just in case an enthusiastic mutawa (religious police) decides that he wants to gesture wildly at my head (they're not allowed to talk to unrelated women, strictly speaking. Those who do are violating their own religious strictures. Instead, they'll bring a policeman with them, then gesture wildly at your head then hit their own heads to tell you that you're screwing something up. Or so I'm told. I've only ever seen a mutawa once, and he didn't notice me. Yay?)<br /><br />I never, ever, EVER niqab (veil). Frankly, though Riyadh is by far one of the most conservative cities in this conservative country, a lot of women don't veil. Most foreigners don't hijab. And the mutawa tend to leave us alone, for the most part.<br /><br />I wear the abaya mostly because as a 5'8" pale-skinned, light-haired very foreign-looking woman, I already stick out in the crowd. A lot of diplomats will tell you that we DON'T want to stand out too much in the day-to-day running of things. It's like painting a big red bullseye on your back. I was with a group of diplomats at an event one night, and a young woman approached us to ask about the status of her visa - a lot of people already know who we are, and that can be a bad thing. It's important to note that the title of diplomat offers us a lot of protection, but some of that protection is after the fact. When you get your commission, it doesn't mean you're suddenly bulletproof. It just means that someone will probably pitch a major fuss if something happens to you.<br /><br />I think of the abaya as camoflauge. It helps me blend in just enough that I'll get second looks, but fewer stares (and I get plenty of those, by the way). The hijab, to me, takes it too far, though, so I resist wearing one. <br /><br />Finally, from what I know of the abaya, it's that it's more of a cultural thing rather than a religious one. The headscarf I'm not going to comment on because that's too touchy a subject and I refuse to say anthing about the veil except that if I ever wear one, it will probably only be under duress.<br /><br />A side thought on cultural clothing, though. When I lived in Japan, everyone wanted to wear a kimono or yukata - the traditional clothing of Japan. But we looked weird in it and there weren't many opportunities to wear them. I think that if I had had the option, rather than feeling as though I would be harassed for not wearing it, I would be happier to wear the abaya. My problem with any form of dress comes when it's a matter of force, rather than choice. But that's my (rather long) two cents.Isa.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00746232598933093151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928481807787723755.post-36321961549242703522010-08-22T23:14:34.258-04:002010-08-22T23:14:34.258-04:00Wow...I also have almost the same questions as the...Wow...I also have almost the same questions as the previous poster asked. I didn't know even a US diplomat has to wear abaya? That's insane. I mean any non-muslim women wearing abaya is really insane IMO. I'm Muslim, and I don't wear one..but then again I'm not in KSA or from KSA...tourisitahttp://tourisita.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928481807787723755.post-33489433051644221152010-08-22T22:36:15.677-04:002010-08-22T22:36:15.677-04:00Wonderful writing about an interesting topic. I am...Wonderful writing about an interesting topic. I am a surprised. As a US diplomat, you wear an abaya? Can you explain a little more when you'd wear it? Do you take it off during your official functions and wear it riding in cars?Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12442161798588161621noreply@blogger.com