Sitting here with my jet lagged toddler for maybe the forth night, I can't help but reflect on my recent trip. I just flew to Houston and back in the month of September and couldn't help but notice this time I did not come across any rude airport security or customs employees on either leg of the trip. That was really refreshing.
Coming in, my husband who has a visa and me a citizen where directed to go to the same line. Last time we were told to separate and then I got reprimanded for it later and for only having one customs form. I was a bit nervous about it coming up to the immigration officer, but he was professional and did his searches and we went on about our business.
At customs we were asked to go have our baggage scanned. That was fine. As long as you ask politely, I'll do it. And they did. Such a different tone. Now that I recall it, we flew on September 11th.
And the big shocker, this time on the way out as we went through security, all the employees were very calm. No one raised their voice unnecessarily, security was professional and did their jobs and we did ours by giving up our bags, belts, shoes and what not for the scanners.
This is maybe the first time in 15 or so years it was professional at every check point. Thanks for that improvement whatever you guys did!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Religious Trendy Dressing
It always crosses my mind whenever I see a man with a short distash, why is that? I am told that this means they are more religious.
How does wearing a piece of clothing that is shorter than everyone make you more religious? I mean in the US we have some religious women who do not wear pants or cut their hair, so I guess that is possible - I don't get that either, and how it makes you more religious, but to each his own.
The modern Gulf Arab men are incredibly polished in their distash - crisply pressed, never dirty or showing age. It looks pretty sharp - and not always in white either, which I don't know anything about what is required to wear a tope or navy colored distash. Although I have read it is considered festive and often done during Ramadan. The younger guys have made it even more Western and wear baseball caps with it. I think its coolest when they tie their head scarfs in a non-traditional way. Its kind of funky, but that's just me.
So at a dinner or party a few weeks ago this subject came up. And not all non-Gulf Arabs themselves were sure what it meant. While their cultures are very different, being a little geographically closer I thought I might get an answer. Someone told me they think they wear a shorter distash to signify that they do not care about modern materialism. Have a shorter robe means that they are above material things signifying their religiousness.
Hmmm...doesn't this kind of contradict that by making a "fashion" statement in itself?
How does wearing a piece of clothing that is shorter than everyone make you more religious? I mean in the US we have some religious women who do not wear pants or cut their hair, so I guess that is possible - I don't get that either, and how it makes you more religious, but to each his own.
The modern Gulf Arab men are incredibly polished in their distash - crisply pressed, never dirty or showing age. It looks pretty sharp - and not always in white either, which I don't know anything about what is required to wear a tope or navy colored distash. Although I have read it is considered festive and often done during Ramadan. The younger guys have made it even more Western and wear baseball caps with it. I think its coolest when they tie their head scarfs in a non-traditional way. Its kind of funky, but that's just me.
So at a dinner or party a few weeks ago this subject came up. And not all non-Gulf Arabs themselves were sure what it meant. While their cultures are very different, being a little geographically closer I thought I might get an answer. Someone told me they think they wear a shorter distash to signify that they do not care about modern materialism. Have a shorter robe means that they are above material things signifying their religiousness.
Hmmm...doesn't this kind of contradict that by making a "fashion" statement in itself?
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