Do western women really get stared at?

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by JunFan

My Mrs is always stared at when we go out and we think it's quite funny. We've noticed the guys from the indian Sub-continent are the worst culprits, they just don't seem to have any comprehension of it and that some could find it offensive or rude, that said they just don't know any better. The 'locals' sometimes look but more discretely apart from some of the women who can look quite disapproving if the Mrs has her cleavage on show.

The funniest situation is when on the beach and your get the floating Indian heads just staring at any woman in a bikini, but then again I keep my shades on!! ;-) LOL

Just a moment. And this is aimed at many people.

As I said earlier we are talking about diffrent cultural norms. In other cultures staring is not considered rude, so to judge someone by Western standards and to criticise them for not understanding your culture seems to be very hypocritcal to me.

-

[Pasanada]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

I do think some of you are over-reacting somewhat. The staring from most Asian men is simply curiosity. You must realise that not all cultures are the same and that in many it is not considered rude to stare at other people if they are of interest to you. 99% of the time it is not a sexual issue.

As in any city, there will be a few perverts in Dubai/UAE, but do not assume that every man who looks at you wants to jump you! As long as they are not touching you and being threatening you have nothing to worry about.

Someof these men will stare at ALL women, including those dressed in abayas, but you will attact more attention if you go out in revealing clothing. Whilst you may not stand out in parts of new Dubai, in the more mixed areas of town you will be stared at more if you do not cover your legs to your knees, your cleavage and shoulders.

People seem to forget that this is not a Western country and get so het up when things are different. You have to accept that a huge mix of people live here and that most will not think or act in exactly the same way as you. It is all part and parcel of living overseas.

-

Totally concur with Elphaba. Can I also add that staring at women isn't only an Asian "thing", men in Spain do exactly the same thing and I suspect most Mediterranean men are the same.

[Maz25]

I can live with the staring (think I am so used to it, I do not even pay them any attention!) but I take great exception to someone trying to touch me!

[Pasanada]

Try breaking their fingers, it always works a treat for me, Maz

[JunFan]

whoah tiger...(and I think I was one of the many) I wasn't playing Judge John Deed or anything...I actually said these guys don't know any better. I did catch a guy trying to video my wife once, and there was no cultural misunderstanding 'cos judging by the way he nearly did the 100m sprint faster than Linford when he saw me look at him, he knew he was wrong.

[DesertStranded]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

Just a moment. And this is aimed at many people.

As I said earlier we are talking about diffrent cultural norms. In other cultures staring is not considered rude, so to judge someone by Western standards and to criticise them for not understanding your culture seems to be very hypocritcal to me.

-

It might surprise you but it is considered to be rude here by the locals as well. And an Arab woman being gawked at or touched would react a lot more strongly and probably would even get the police involved. Even my female Indian friends would complain about guys that were obviously leering. I think it is YOU that overreacts with the PC mantra too often. Maybe you should get out in the 'real' world and learn something about the local culture before you start preaching to the 'virtual' masses. Sorry, but after 4 yrs. in Europe i'm really sick of all this koombaya (let them behave however they want but you better be understanding) PC crap.

[Andy Capp]

I love staring at women....

[tiffclark1]

I don't seem to have a problem...then again if you are dressed immodestly to their standards you would probably give any guy a reason to stare regardless of where they are from. I think this is one of the most comfortable places i've lived!

[adywicaksono]

Originally Posted by Sparkysair

I totally agree. I feel far far safer here than I did in England - packs of roaming chavs are far more intimidating!

Asia man looks western woman as beautiful woman, take it easy

[Monalisa]

Just to let you know that sometimes it happens whenever you just look different .I lived for 20 years in the States and since I am covered(Hijab), I used to get more than a stare sometimes.Some people due to their ignorance of others would assume that I did not even speak English.Same if a woman dressed in a black abaya walked through the mall in Florida, she would definitely be stared at. I just say use your judgement when you are out to be safe.