Men and Women segregated

I remember when I had to do a very simple task of paying through an ATM machine. The machine had all men and no woman around it. My male colleague had to excuse my presence and shield me from the prying eyes of the men talking to me through their eyes asking, "Why is she here?".

In all establishments, there is the female side and the men side.

Like in restaurants, the open areas (the usual table set up we see here at home) is reserved only for men. Women only eat in FAMILY SECTIONS and if a restaurant doesn't have a family section then that's no place for women.

A family section is made of dividers or curtains that segregate the family and women from men who can sit on open areas.

In the bank, the female section is made of women or if men have to face women, they can only talk through cubicle windows with a wall still separating them.

I would like to look at this as a cultural difference which must be respected. Pretty soon, changes will happen and if the barriers between men and women do come down and saudi women eventually are allowed to drive, or if they don't, either way, I'm sure it is a realization that the kingdom is better off this or that way.

By the way, if you're wondering how it is in the Supermarkets, there's no more separation when buying food or medicine is concerned.

Also if you are wondering how is it in malls when buying female needs, that's quite a story. Only men are allowed to be salespersons so...don't worry they're knowledgeable and understanding enough....you just have to be a little more open and a bit more patient in explaining what you really want (they're usually not saudi men, either pakistanis or Sri lankans) :-)