Religious and conservative women in the Middle-East might wear long-sleeved burqas that only show their hands and their eyes but most of them pay more attention to the choice of their lingerie than the chicest women from Paris or New York.
Why?
In Syria, it is a woman’s “job” to please her husband so he does not frequent prostitutes or divorce her. I am hearing some of you screaming already but I encourage you to view the video at the bottom of this post for interviews of Syrian men And women. The video focuses on the wedding night, which symbolizes the passage from virginity to respectable married womanhood.
In the US, the view is mostly coined by the saying: “There are girls you marry, and girls you don’t.”
Men usually agree with this phrase that clearly states the difference between the Saints vs. the Whores, the Marriage Material Girl vs. the sleazy raunchy hot chick. Men also seem to agree to think that “once She gave birth to YOUR children,” it is hard to imagine her doing anything “naughty.” Hold up! If this is true, then are we all supposed to bid adieu to a romantic, spicy & healthy sex life after the first kid is in the cradle?
Unlike in the US, where raunchy lingerie and acts are reserved for “prostitutes” while the wife keeps a respectful appearance outside and inside the bedroom, in the Middle-East it is the Woman’s duty to have a raunchy & outrageous attitude in the bedroom to keep their husbands from going elsewhere. Apparently last year, the lambada dance was all the hype!
Of course a middle ground exists for most of us. But you have to admit that it most definitely let’s you rethink your notions of Islam, doesn’t it ?
Time to start shopping at Frederick’s of Hollywood, Mesdames !
Anyway, this explains the flourishing naughty lingerie business that can be found now in almost every Souk. To stimulate your imagination, get your hands on the wonderful book: The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie: Intimacy and Design by Malu Halassa and Rana Salam.
Why books like these are important ?
” Books have the power to change attitudes, to liberate our thinking by presenting new information, a new vision. They are killers of the commonplace repetition of prejudices. Books force us to see parts of the world with new eyes.” (Peter Stepan)