JEDDAH, 6 June 2004 — Women here have unanimously welcomed the Cabinet decision to insist on female staff in stores for women’s accessories.
Some shops with blacked-out windows for women only have existed in the Kingdom’s malls for a decade, but in many others it is still customary to find male sales staff selling women’s underclothes, for instance.
“It’s about time it became illegal for men to be working in such places,” said Ashwaq Sulaiman, a medical student at King Abdulaziz University. “Actually, it’s not about what is officially permitted, it’s about what’s natural and logical. Anywhere else in the world it would’ve been considered absurd for men to work in cosmetic or lingerie shops.”
Leila Mohammad, a free-lance market researcher, said one of the most important aspects of this decision was that it would provide more jobs for women. “Plus, it just may boost the female consumer market because more women will be comfortable and eager to shop at stores where female staff assist them.”
She added, “Obviously a saleswoman can provide better assistance where women’s necessities are concerned. Who better than a woman to understand the needs of her fellow women?”
Maram Al-Ahmadi was shopping at Gazzaz, which is well known for its cosmetics counters. “A saleswoman is much more credible and convincing when it comes to cosmetics,” she said when Arab News approached her. “In fact many women are encouraged to buy cosmetics at beauty parlors because women are selling them there.”
Al-Watan reported a 70 percent increase in business at shops where saleswomen assist women customers. Nouf Al-Sulaiman, visiting from Riyadh, said, “Why can’t there be more malls like Woman’s Kingdom in Riyadh? I even see Western women shopping there. Besides the fact that we’re relieved from harassment — be it from authorities or male shoppers — we also don’t have the awkwardness of having to deal with a salesman regarding women’s things.
Arab News asked a salesman working at one of the local lingerie shops how he would feel if the shoe was on the other foot.
“Never!” Mustapha said. “I wouldn’t even go into a shop where a woman would be selling men’s underwear!”
“I’ve always thought it contradictory. Women are ordered to outwardly cover themselves, and yet their intimate clothing is displayed openly in the glass windows and is handled by salesmen. Where are the piety and propriety in that?” says a female shopper at Jamjoom mall. “For years I had my mother do such shopping for me or wait until traveling. I’ve known other women compelled to cover their faces when purchasing such items because they were so embarrassed!”
