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March 9, 2005
I'm Buying a Burqe
Right now I am sitting in the middle of a smoky internet cafe across from the university called University Internet. It has become my regular hangout because everytime I try to use the computers at the university I get yelled at for chatting. Interestingly, the cafe has a specific room for women known as the VIP room so that women don't get harassed while they are in the cafe. (It took us forever to figure out why we were always put in there until we realized it was painted pastel pink for a reason) Today, however, my friend Haley and I are in the men's area because they were out of room in the women's area. While it isn't so bad during the day (because the day crowd usually is doing work or playing games) the weekends and the evenings can be quite interesting.
The cafe isn't the only place I have had encounters with men staring. The university is the worst place because guys just sit on the side of the path watching the girls walk by. As an American I stick out even more than a Jordanian girl so it becomes quite uncomfortable at times. The worst experience I have had was about a week ago when I went to take a picture of the language center. There were some grown men cleaning windows and they started whistling and yelling rude comments at me. Wearing conservative clothing doesn't help either because they sill know we are American and we still stik out.
After watching tv around here for quite some time now, I really think that these perceptions of American women come from the movies that are shown over here. Most of the movies shown wouldn't be allowed on American TV because of violence, language, and sexual content. Although I feel uncomfortable with these movies, my 13yr old host brother sees no problem with watching these aweful movies. He is lucky because he has actually met American girls and knows they aren't just 'easy' but most Jordanian men aren't that lucky. No wonder they think we are such immoral people.
However, buying a Burqe is another problem because I really don't want to be disrespectful. I feel like buying one as an uncovered woman just to take home for fun may not be the best way to show Jordanians that Americans are good people. Well, I will try my best to sort this one out while I still can.
Posted by rcollins at March 9, 2005 9:14 AM
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Comments
It's really tough because what can we do as Americans about projecting a better impression? I could honestly imagine that if I was from a foreign country I probably would have a pretty bad impression of Americans, judging from the media. But Hollywood likes to put out what it puts out, and it doesn't ever look like that's going to change. I don't see any good answer at all to this problem. Maybe the burqa is a good idea after all...
Posted by: Karl at March 9, 2005 10:51 AM
May be you were just to isolated as a child. I can remember walking around Minneapolis as a teenager and having men yell, whistle and stare at us. What America men where like in the 60's and 70's is what Jordan men sound like now. We (American's) have found womens rights and respect while Jordian men are still in search of it. By presenting yourself as an average American Woman you can teach them how to respect not only you but all womem.
Posted by: Barbara at March 9, 2005 1:01 PM