There was a lot of 'ladies' news today in the local paper. The first was that the transportation department has reserved parking spaces in public garages for use by women only. Like Handicapped parking the spaces will be close to entrances. This was billed as a safety measure as many women complained that they feel uncomfortable in underground garages. I'm curious as to how they're going to police this, but otherwise I find it interesting. I'm getting used to the fact that in clinics, government buildings and even banks there can be separate entrances and waiting areas for men and women. This has seemed more cumbersome than helpful to me. Often the clerk helping you in the women's area is male and once you're brought back to the doctor you are in a unisex area. When visiting a specialist for my daughter, my husband and I couldn't wait together with her but we had to run back and forth to let him know where we were. I've never been bothered before in a waiting room by the fact that the other customers are men. The parking thing, however, does seem like a good idea. There's nothing creepier than a poorly lit parking garage at night. It does make one feel unsafe and in this culture where, it seems, women are more attuned to that it could be liberating.
The other, very entertaining article regarded public indecency. I'm guessing it's in reaction to the emirates trying to get tourists to be more aware that they are in a rather conservative culture while not scaring them about visiting. The gist of the article was that there are no 'instructions' in the UAE that expressly ask police to question two unrelated people holding hands or alone in a car (apparently part and parcel to being 'publicly indecent'). So unless they are otherwise suspicious they will be left alone. More apparent displays such as kissing in public are violations but the officer should show discretion.
And I swear this is the example given...kissing your husband goodbye or at an airport is fine, but they draw the line at a 'hot kiss'. The policeman interviewed (a Colonel) says there's a "clear difference with a hot kiss" but he judge gets the final word. So much for clear.
I wonder what type of rubric is used to make that decision....
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