The business department where I work sponsored a conference last week with the theme of Energizing the Emirati Economy (Otherwise known as E3). We had locally well-known guest speakers, a big food sponsor with gourmet goody bags, cosmetic samples and makeover coupons, a giant Pepsi display with chilled bevs on ice, and lots of talk about Emiratis getting involved with the multi-national business going on here.
But the subtext of this event was far from business-ey. Though we are a women's college, we invited guys from the men's campus and filled the auditorium with students. The rules for these events at our conservative campus require that the guys sit at the front, the girls sit at the back, and two rows of faculty separate them.
When the girls enroll at the college, we ensure the men who act as their guardians (dads, brothers or husbands) that this is a women's zone, (male faculty aside), and that their 'women' will be looked after and shielded from unwanted male company, let alone improper advances or flirting.
But the day before the conference, we faculty escorts were given a talk about enforcing the rules on mobile phones, namely, that they must remain off and out of sight inside any campus buildings. This was especially important at this event not because the phones might go off and disturb our distinguished guests, and not because it is impolite to chat on your mobile in a business setting. The main reason is that this would be one of the few opportunities this year when our female students would be in close enough proximity to the boys that they could 'blue tooth' each other.
Up to this point, my knowledge of bluetooth technology was limited to that awkward ear piece I sometimes try to use when I drive. I did not know that you can turn it on and use it as a sort of radar, to locate other mobile numbers in the zone where you sit, and exchange info, numbers, names, etc., without ever a phone going off. Go figure.
Along these same lines, I called tech support to the classroom this week and when the jolly fellow arrived and I opened the door without hesitation he looked at me like, 'lady, you can't just let me in..', and so while I coaxed him into the room, I turned around to find three of my gals swishing around their sheilas (or headscarves) to get more covered in preparation for his presence. Though I've been here almost 4 months now, it still happens weekly that I stop in my tracks at what seem to be absurd gender roles, rules and limitations. (See posting called 'unveiling'). As much as I'd like to think I'm getting to understand the custom, I don't know if I'll ever not shake my head (inside my head) when I hear someone talking about the guardian of an articulate and educated 22 year old woman.
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4 comments:
Ok so you shake your head inside your head- what do the kids and Billy have to say about all of it? Have they commented on any of it?
Jill
Blue flirting? Back in the day we had to do it the old fashioned way--write our number on a wet cocktail napkin, and wait by the phone.
Your posts never cease to amaze me. The culture there is vastly different from what we know and teach in the States. Jill is right. I guess the question does become what you say to the kids? Especially since Brady is old enough to understand.
Ann
I've heard about (but not heard myself) ring tones for cellphones that are pitched high enough that young ears (like those of students) can hear the arrival of calls and text messages but older adults (like their teachers) can't hear them. There was a lengthy piece on NPR a few months ago. Gotta be careful with those sneaky kids...
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