Tag Archives: restaurants

Starbucks Gender Segregation

Starbucks Gender Segregation

I walked into the Starbucks in the fancy Kingdom Tower mall. At the counter, the man there asked me, “Please, can you use the families section?” Where? “Around and to the left.”

I’d walked into the men’s only section. It looked exactly like most Starbucks I’ve seen elsewhere in the world: US, Canada, Korea. But, I should be learning by now.

The family section is actually another Starbucks, so the two are next to each other. Family Sections in general have frosted glass on the lower section so as to prevent men from looking at women. This Starbucks had ample space for women to not only purchase, but also to sit and enjoy their drinks.

In the photo, you can see the men’s Starbucks on the left, and the families Starbucks on the right (where the woman and boy are coming out)

McBarely Made It

McBarely Made It

Today my roommate and I were out running errands and starting to get a bit hungry. On our first days, we turned up our noses at McDonald’s but by now, we know that it’s an oasis for us women, in a desert of men-only eating establishments. Certainly there are others, but it’s hard for us to find them when we’re out and about in unfamiliar areas.

We knew that the noon-ish prayer time was at 11:43, so we kept close track of the time, as everyone here learns to do. We got to McDonald’s family seating entrance at 11:32 or so, and the staffperson told us they were closing for prayer time. 

“Oh, no! Prayer time is at 11:43,” we said. “Ten more minutes!”

“What? You know the prayer times?,” he laughed and said he could let us in but he’d have to lock us in for prayer time.

“Yes, we know. Yes, please,” we said.

We ordered a McSalad and McArabia Sandwich set and found a comfy private booth to relax in. The same McD guy who’d let us in brought our food to us, as well as an English newspaper, Arab News (maybe?). Where are you from? etc, we chatted for a couple minutes and he left. 

Then, we enjoyed our meal and suddenly I heard something unfamiliar. We stopped talking and could then hear clearly 80’s rock music being played in the McD kitchen. While this wouldn’t be remarkable elsewhere, in Saudi Arabia, music that is non-religious is banned in public, and frowned on at home.

Since most workers are non-Saudis, the workers were enjoying a few minutes of music. So, we spent the noon prayer time relaxing at McD’s, with the faint sounds of rock music in the background.

After about 40 minutes inside, our friend came and told us he’d unlocked the door and we could leave. Fat and happy, we did. 

I’m Lovin’ It

I’m Lovin’ It

The other day my roommate and I were in a grocery store.
“Should I run next door and get us something at Dunkin’ Donuts before prayer time?,” I asked her. Yes!

I walked in to the donut shop and saw only men sitting. I looked across at the clerk, saying and motioning, is it okay for me here?
Yes, he replied in gesture and English. You’re welcome, he seemed to say.

I ordered two coffees and two donuts. I picked up the coffees, one in each hand, and grabbed the bag with my spare fingers. That’s when we both thought of the next issue. No, he said, and gestured, you can’t sit here.

Women can not sit in restaurants unless there is a Families Section.

So, on another day, I went to the McDonald’s across the street.

I’m not a big McDonald’s fan, but it’s one of the few places outside of a mall that we can sit and eat. There is a separate entrance for men and another for families. I walked into the families section entrance and ordered. As I waited for my food, I began to feel uncomfortable. Two men were also waiting in the ordering area. Am I supposed to be standing here alone with men? Am I offended? Are they? Their wives had gone upstairs, and later I saw, the wives watching their kids in the playland.

After I got my food, I headed upstairs. It was a bit tricky to walk up steep stairs carrying a tray, hoping not to trip on your abaya. I had my pick of many booths. I found one, set my food down, pulled the curtain across, and removed my headscarf. I could have taken off my abaya too, but didn’t. I relaxed and enjoyed my McArabia (chicken and pita) sandwich.

Later I stopped in the bathroom. All bathrooms here have sprayers next to the toilet. But this one had a toilet paper, with fully stocked toilet paper roll within reach.

I never expected to say this about McD in Riyadh.

I’m lovin’ it.