Abaya and thobe's
As we have already discussed the "highly skilled" driving abilities of Qatari's lets figure this out. If one is to cover the peripheral vision with a cloth garment then you should expect that they would realize that they should not drive. I saw a woamn today with all but a hint of her eyes showing, when she would turn it was quite comical to watch as she whipped her head side to side just to see. This is quite dangerous and at some point tradition MUST catch up to modern life and safety. We all understand that while on a camel there was no need to see to the side, but camels do bounce off each other, cars collide.
And what is on under the all that black anyhow? Some of the most expensive clothing and lingerie is sold in the stores here yet is it all worn underneath? Or perhaps they are all going commando and are just waiting for the proper momoent to open up and streak?
As for the men lets pick on them. The thobe is an interesting garment when it is extremely hot outside as it does allow air circulation and the headdress keeps the hot sun off the head. However, we now have air conditioning. When is the last time you even saw a Qatari get out of his car, they tend to enjoy drive up and honk service. As there is no longer a practical side to this clothing lets look at some comical aspects.....
Watched a guy go to get in his car and much like a lady he had to hike it up to get in his vehicle, miscalculating how much he had pulled up and ended up tangled amongst all the fabric.
Or if you want a really good laugh try watching one of them try to keep his pretty white outfit out of the puddles after a good rain, I do enjoy watching that.
If you are going to wear jeans underneath why wear it at all?
Yes we know it is "tradition" but if we all stuck to tradition throughout the ages I would be wearing a loincloth and buckskin shoes, the Scots would all be running around in Kilts as daily wear, and the Japanese would be wearing samari outfits. Let us all realize that culture grows and adapts and that the Middle East may one day catch up to the rest of the world.
As-salamu alaykum,
Founder of Sunaan.com here. It’s not necessary to wear abayas and thobes to be a Muslim; the key is modesty. As long as that is preserved, there are many ways to balance tradition with practicality in modern life.
For issues like restricted peripheral vision while driving, consider wearing a hijab that provides modesty without obstructing your view. For men, thobes can be tailored for better ease of movement. At https://sunaan.com, we offer custom-fitted thobes designed for comfort and practicality, addressing these very concerns.
Modernizing our approach while maintaining our values is crucial. How do you balance these aspects in your daily life?
The "modern era" that Americans live in started eons ago compared to the "modern era" in the middle east. As an American, it's highly unlikely that any of your ancestors wore loincloths and buckskin shoes at any point within the last 300 years. The Scots and the Japanese probably slowly phased out the exclusive wear of kilts and "samari outfits" during that same time frame.
What I have notice on you westrian , that you wearing the same clothes for days , you dont change I dont why??!! I sow the same jeans on some people for weeks, it might be ok in the west (could weather) but not in Doha , it get smilly , maeby you dont notice because you get used to the smill but others do belive me.
Note: No specific people but it something we sow in Many.
Do you find this story amusing? Sounds like an Urban Legend to me.
It doesn’t really matter how one looks. I guess!!
Thanks for the compliment, but I look ordinarryyyyy,Xana.
It’s all due people having different cultures, that’s one of the things that make us all special :-) In your cultures too there are things you won’t let go in order to remain more characteristics of identity.
However, my intention in wearing it is religious; because it’s modest ( talking about MY abayas) Because you know as a Muslim girl I should get dressed in a way that doesn’t show things. It doesn’t have to be Abaya of course.
Okayyy people, Go ahead, talk about Thobes and Abayas LOL . PLZ don’t talk about meeeee.
By the way, I don’t cover my face. So my Abaya is not exactly an obstacle.
I love the eye makeup that most women here wear. If you think about it, thats their way of showing their personality...that and embroidery on the abhayas. I love it. MAC Cosmetics has made a killing on the women here(including me). MAC should do an Arabian promotion or something...like they do MAC couture and stuff. ANYWAYS...
that it is very sad that you have to cover up, because you are very beautiful....
I have had the pleasure of seeing Aisha's pic.... Maybe a good thing that you stay covered.... or you might have one of those strange stalking experiences us uncovered ladies seem to have...
Just don't seem to be able to get used to them.... Maybe I should consider an abhaya....
We are just having a little fun. Don't take it too personally. I dig you guys but you can't blame us for finding some of your customs funny.
Reason I don't like Abbayas is that I know many of you Arab women are very beautiful and its just a shame that we can't enjoy more of the view.
And please note the liberal use of "some" as it is not meant that all are large, just way too many
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
I never said I did not like the look. Quite the contrary in fact. I appreciate that the ugly women are covered up completely and I don't care about the guys since some have many sq meters of fabric to encompass their girth,some could use their thobe to provide a good size tent or tarp in case a need arises for emergency shelter or to cover a car.
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
Well I didn’t read all the comments up there.
BUT I think you should respect us more.
I like my Abaya and I do like the way our guys look wearing their Thobes :-) This is us, you know. Take us or leave us.
needed a change....might change it back though, i liked the 40's style of the other one.
Liana congrats! Losing weight is hard no matter how you do it. I'm so happy for you!
Cleavage and tall heels....
could make for some intersting times, just be sure that when you check in that you bend over the counter to speak to the guy with the beard. Good luck with your upgrade.
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
that this woman ignored Terramax.
hey munoz what happened to your funky avatar?
think i will go in my suit, and show some slight cleavage. and tall tall high heels so it looks like i would be uncomfortable in cattle class. and try to check in to a man without a beard. they might assume the abayya women are demanding and rude so deny the upgrade.
i got weighed yesterday and i'm now 68.5 kilos so its not coming off very fast but its been difficult in the cold weather, i havent exercised at ALL! in total i've los 4.4 kilos. now if i can just stay away from the crackle on Christmas day... ;-)
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?Must be since Arabs are such skilled drivers! No need for sight or headlamps just drive by braille
I have seen yesterday a VEILED lady driving a car. It was night, but she didn't had her headlights on. No matter how I tried to draw her attention to this, she was just ignoring me. And she had kids in the backseat.
Sheika Liana with a glass of wine and an aussie accent!!!
And then show cleavage.....
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
Liana...did you reach your goal? I've been reading your post about the diet center.
I guess the flight to convict land will be full. This means that you will have a better chance of an upgrade especially if you are travelling alone. I think that the abayya might be a help especially if you describe yourself as Sheikha Liana.
Forget the abbaya and show lots of skin. Works throughout the world to help trolls get all sorts of things. Upgrades should take only a modest showing of cleavage, much less than a dinner ;)
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
hey this IS the abbaya thread!! alright my mind is already on holiday in the land of the convicts.
my body won't be there until Saturday morning... any tips for getting an upgrade at Emirates? would my abayya be a help or a hinder?
Hmm... maybe he wasnt being sarcastic. now i'm wondering if i'm being a cynnical aussie msyelf.
its very funny having typed conversations, i like to write passive-agressively sometimes and let people wonder if i'm angry or just tersely polite. or being irreverent. who knows!! the abayya thread was pretty light and entertaining how could that go sour? what happened to it??? i will check.
Look at the posts I put up today, I was just trying to get some of these folks to have fun and be involved, instead it turned serious
Just check the Abbaya thread
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
Americans do understand sarcasm. We are some of the biggest smartasses around. Believe me, I am one and I married one. It's a bit hard to understand sarcasm when it's typed though.
No if you look at all of the posts chbck has I was quite appreciative for humurous input as I am just keeping the board lively for you Liana. Sarcasm is also so difficult in text, much better verbally.
but then again we do speak this pigeon english that is nowhere near as proper as our cousins'.
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
I guess us Americans is jest too damn dumb to unnerstan' sarcasm.
Why don't Americans understand sarcasm? thats a topic for another post Tyler!!
You have finally realized that I was not complaining just inciting. Thanks for your colorful input and keeping it humorous. Long hide the ugly people.
And the beautiful people who want to hide it can get one too. I don't mind as the eyes are very revealing as to what is underneath.
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
Oh and as far as hiding ugly women....yes it does. Except when you're a female sitting in a salon and they come in and remove them. Poor me.
So, whats supposed to hide the ugly men???
Invisible being??? Although, i can understand the point you were TRYING to make. What an awful thing to say!
I love the traditional dress. It's very sophisticated if worn right. Women take the covers off around other women and family. Therefore, people do see the clothing. AJust to let you know, women dress more for other women than they do for men. It's about fashion,not seduction.
I agree that it is dangerous for driving.
I think you hit the nail on the head Tyler. The tradition of wearing Abayas was created strictly to hide ugly people from public view. You have uncovered the secret, good work.
Abayaas are great. I have one myself, even though I'm not muslim, its very convenient to just walk around being effectively invisible when you feel like it! Bad hair day? Abayya! Nothing to wear, or not in the mood for being perved on? Abayya! Double booked yourself and lied to someone about being sick in bed? you get my drift!
I agree with Jaelee the crisp white thobes are verrry sexy.
I too agree that abays are good. For the dads you can make your beautiful daughter into an invisible being. And we also don't have to see any of the ugly ones, their fathers too get to cloak the girls in anonymity. I especially appreciate the latter.
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
I think the thobes looks very smart. Especially nice crisp white ones with smart cufflinks, smelling of good after shave ... works for me :-)
I also would have thought they would be quite cool to wear here in the hot weather. Lets the netherregions breath!!
I also disagree with the Abeya's. Haven't you noticed now the very smart ones, with glittery edges, matching head scarfes etc. Or maybe as I am a woman and lived in the middle east for 10 years now have become a bit of an expert on them :-)
I don't see them as just black cloaks anymore. Although some of them do wear quite boring ones, there are certainly some very smart ones out there. Matched with nice handbag and shoes it can look pretty good.
Each country is entitled to their identity, and what a boring world it would be if we all dressed the same??
Quite a funny story but by no means limited to Doha. This is much like getting pulled over for speeding back home due to an urgent need to evacuate the bowels. The police officer asks why you were speeding and all you can think is "I'm gonna crap myself in about 10 sec if you don't let me go"
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
Ok i just couldnt help but tell this story, well when Qatari women first started driving there were too many concerns like "how will they fix a flat?" and "what if they get in an accident will they know how to deal with it?" these were inside family concerns because they always feared that the young crazy drivers would try to play innocent when the police showed up and that they would always put the blame on the women for any acciedents.
Anyway back to my story, when qatari women driving became popular there was an sudden super movement of all of them wanting to get driving licenses at once and show confidence and independence and all that, so one time a woman in abbaya and even the full face cover with only the eyes showing got in a small bumper-to-bumper in a traffic light in the lane that truns right. She rear-ended this landcruiser (obviously). The guys came out of the car and they saw nothing had happened both cars were ok so they were telling her to pull the window down they want to let it go the cars are ok, but she didnt come out of the car and waved to them to stay away. The guys said lets wait for the police then we dont know whats wrong here.
The police came and knocked on her window and tried to open the door but she had everything locked and she wasnt even answering them!! The police were confused they were telling her at least to pull over so other cars can pass! But she just covered here face with her hands and didnt reply!
So they called for a female police officer to come from the other end of doha to see what on earth was wrong with this woman!! There were no women on shift at the time so they called one from her home and she got dressed and came to the scene. When the police woman came to the window and knocked on it the woman actually slightly pulled the window down and talked to the pilicewoman, who's face had a grossed out expression on it now!! The police woman told her to just put the car in Drive and go home!
Everyone was confused as hell?? what happened, and the police woman was blushing but at the end gave up and told them that the woman got so scared of the cars hitting she had crapped in her clothes, and since she sat there and marinated in the sun a while once the window came down the poor police woman could smell it!! The woman ofcourse was too embarassed to come down and deal with the accident with poop dripping from her!!
The woman was never known or named, but the story in the history of qatar shall remain forever!
Remember the MC Hammer Parachute pants and shiny shirts? Those were comfortable too
Lets buy al of MC Hammers old wardrobe and they can try wearing those pants. It would help with the Aladdin Genie look as well
Hmmm- which personality is coming out today?
I kinda dig the thobes. They look very smart and quite elegant. I guess they are the equivalent of a western man wearing a lounge suit. Lounge suits are not always that comfortable but they do look smart. It is more comfortable to wear a tee shirt and jeans but for a business meeting a suit is a must. I guess it is the same with thobes.
Abbayas are a different story though. I think it is impossible for anyone to look good in an abbaya.