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omanoman · Joined: 11 Jun 2014 Posts: 140

There is plenty of mixing going on, human nature after all.....

omani and Filipino nurses will tell you the stories of pregnancy, abortions, the fears of de-flowering, STD's and so on.

Next time you are driving around, try to notice the cars parked off the road at night, only partially secluded and ask yourself "what might be going on there?"

On a far smaller scale than our wicked ways back home but it's happening none the less. That's why the dads are keeping a close eye !

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Human nature is what it is... Wink

VS

MuscatGary · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 10:27 am Post subject:

omanoman · Joined: 11 Jun 2014 Posts: 140

or the Ibra Hotel. super dodgy, essentially a brothel. Even the small towns get in on the action.

Sydney2002 · Joined: 10 Apr 2012 Posts: 55

Whateverwillbe's comment on life as a western female in Muscat is not exaggerated, I'm afraid. I was warned about this before moving here several years ago. I learned very quickly that walking around 'uncovered' (no hijab) without the company of male right next to me can and does open up the door to unwanted attention from locals.

I would not call it full-on harassment, as it usually only amounts to a comment, slowing of a car/or honking incessantly, and occasionally a lewd gesture. The parking area for my flat is just off a well traveled street and this is where I tend to get it the most. I take rubbish out extremely early on Friday mornings to avoid this-- as the dumpster is across the street.

I've been told that I dress like a nun, minus the head covering, so I honestly do not see why anyone would look twice at me here other than the fact that I'm tall and have light skin. Plenty of women in hijab have light skin as well though.

I do not know what Muscat was like in early 2000, let alone the 90's or 80's. But if this kind of thing wasn't happening then, I can only assume that the young men here have become very bold and given over to impropriety often. Expat women probably do tend to push the envelope more these days with regards to dress, but I don't feel that this excuses such behavior.

I have loved living here, and the benefits have far outweighed the annoyances during my time in Muscat. But this is not something that I will not miss when I leave.

I can't speak for the taxi situation as I've never gotten into one without my own brother or another male present. I have heard some disturbing stories from female colleagues that I work with however. Oh well...