I never meant to imply that Spain is in the midst of an Inquistion. I love Spain. I apologize that it came across that way.
I don't support covering of hair in
Egypt by non-Muslim tourists because it only enforces what a few religious fundamentals want. I didn't think women in countries like Spain covered their hair outside remote villages, or that the natives like to throw acid on Christian girls, but I didn't think I had to specify as we were mainly talking about Egypt in the thread. Sorry!
As I don't support that covering policy, the only policy left is to dress modestly, which helps in other countries around the Mediterrannean (and other continents for that matter...), as well.
Greece isn't a Middle Eastern country either, n'est-ce pas? Nor is Portugal, for that matter. As much nude sunbathing as there is in all these countries, it doesn't change the fact that they have machista traditions. That is the common thread they share with Middle Eastern/North African countries, regardless of religion. It doesn't have to have come from the Moors.
I don't appreciate cat calls, whistles, ass slaps, in short, basically being treated like a dog in heat when I want to take a stroll. That has happened to me in my frequent travels to these countries. The common thread is sperm in the air
I think that dressing modestly can help you in countries where men make a sport of riding by on a moto, leering at you, and adding some unnecessary comment like "me pones a cien" while their pregnant wives sit behind them. I don't think behavior like this necessarily reflects on a country's human rights record or tolerance of other cultures, but it does tell me what I should expect in terms of treatment of women.
I knew a very immature and naive girl who wore a "f--k me" outfit out in Madrid, left with some guys, thwarted their advances and got hit in the face for it. She was mystified as to why she came back from her outing with a shiner. Some places, including in "modern" countries like the US
, you can't wear something like that and not get labelled as a whore. You can't go alone to hang out with guys and not get labelled. It doesn't make it right, but I would rather avoid the situation if I knew we were dealing with a different mentality.
I got away with a sleeveless top and a skirt in Turkey and Morocco without trouble, so I don't think dressing modestly means dressing like Eleanor Roosevelt. It might mean not wearing one of those mini-skirts with the flounce bottom that lets others know if you are suffering from shaving irritation or vaginitis.
I just think its necessary to cover our bits in some countries (and some parts of rural Maryland
) to show men that we don't want to exchange bodily fluids, and that their advances aren't welcome. I heart Spanish men, but I am at the same time wary of the assholes that lurk where'er I may go.