Job Discussion Forums

[dareva]

human beings, being intrinsically egotistical, always find ways of leaving footprints in the sand....why should women wearing abayas be any different

[desultude]

I agree with both of the last two posters.

Humans seem to be driven to decorate themselves. I am sure that this derives from our absolute lack of colorful natural decoration. And the women in Saudia, like every place else in the world, have their means of leaving footprints.

We even love to decorate our camels.

[dareva]

Yes, the many abaya sites I've seen testify to that.

RE: "we even decorate our camels" --You should see the cows in India - they even paint their horns and anything that doesn't move gets covered with garlands....

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

And the horses in southern Africa. They put black ans white racing stripes on many of them, albeit vertically, not horizontally...

NCTBA

[desultude]

And the cats, too!

[desultude]

I really like the elephants in India and Thailand. I wonder if all of those critters love being dressed up the way house cats love it?

[Linda467]

Hi all vets,

I�m still uncleared about what to do but have an idea, ask the employer, right?

I�m mainly concerned about the heat and as I do not have many long sleeved T-shirts was thinking if a combination of a long skirt which I have quite a few and short sleeves T-shirt may do ?? I�m thinking about bringing natural materials (cotton, silk) with the abaya at the top.

Do most of you keep in while teaching or put it away till you go out in public again?

Tks

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[veiledsentiments]

Now NCTBA... stop trying to stir things up!!

Linda... go back and re-read this thread. I believe that every possible question has been answered that can be answered. So much depends on your employer and where you live... especially the part about whether you wear it while teaching.

I found that knits were too hot for much of the year and much preferred blouses made of lightweight or gauzy cotton. Remember the key factor is "modesty" and to show as little flesh as possible and also to not show off the figure.

Of course, if you can or do keep the abaya on all day, you have more leeway on what you wear under it.

VS

[Linda467]

VS, I did read it before I wrote, just wanted to find some practical angles concerning the materials and heat which not many people talk about

It doesn�t bother me to wear them as they are so big (two, three sizes over mine) that I don�t think I will attract any unwanted attention. Head scarf is a total different story

Thank you, input always appreciated

[veiledsentiments]

[Linda467]

Dear VS, I totally understand

No, I bought my two abayas and two extra head scarfs at the Mosque in the City (two black, one grey, one medium brown) and they are way big or at least they felt this way when I tried them on - I�m Medium and I have a L and XXL but like I said everytime I look at myself in the mirror with the scarf on, it brings along a sad feeling �cause of the colour.

I am fortunate enough to have lots of nice cotton working clothes but I may need to acquire some elbow shirts once there. So far I though of wearing some of my small jackets that are that way too over the short sleeves T-shirt if it works.

[veiledsentiments]

Ah... but jackets add another layer...

I think I would have waited until I get there to buy abayas... perhaps you could take the most expensive or the largest of your two back. You will have a much better selection once you get there.

VS

[Linda467]

VS Good points

Even though they were cheap and not very fashionable. Actually I like the pants and tunic "fad" kind of......

Taking into consideration the activities alternatives I might take it into shopping or souk search for fabrics and materials and have some custom made like I had in Thailand - 24 hrs on the go

Regards,
Linda

[Cleopatra]