First 'women only' coffee shop in Ramallah

[King_David]

RAMALLAH: A few meters away from the popular men's coffee shop of Baladna in downtown Ramallah lays a new rebellious concept: a 'women only' coffee shop, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

A billboard featuring three women on the sideways of the street advertises the coffee shop as well as a few radio and newspapers advertisements.

A pink sign right outside the coffee shop reads: "Ladies coffee shop: for women only." As opposed to the open men cafes, the pink and white balloons at the entrance of the coffee shop, lead to a closed, yet colorful place.

A piano, two boxes of playing cards, and a box of backgammon, a popular game among Palestinian men lay in the entrance of the place, as windows were covered with decorative cloth.


Read more: First 'women only' coffee shop in Ramallah - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/first-women-only-coffee-shop-in-ramallah-1.91230##ixzz1yI9pDsXY

[King_David]

1. more

Men usually hang out in male only coffee shops, playing cards, watching football games. They also express displeasure when foreign women go into their places. "We feel pressured, we can't shout or curse freely," says Omar Labib, a regular costumer at the nearby Baladna cafe. He doesn't mind the initiative but other men mocked the idea.

Non-coed places are becoming more successful business initiatives. Lately, more gyms, hairdressers, and swimming pools are becoming no-male-zones.


Read more: First 'women only' coffee shop in Ramallah - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/first-women-only-coffee-shop-in-ramallah-1.91230##ixzz1yIAA59sg

[msongs]

2. sexist. women should demand equal access. nt

[azurnoir]

5. Thanks but according to the article they already have equal access

There are no restrictions on women in public restaurants. However, social unwritten rules still affect their behavior in public places. For example, hookah-smoking women are more acceptable than cigarette smokers. Also women are rarely seen smoking in the streets.

Sarah thinks this cafe is a great idea, "I used to ask my father to open a place like this, I'm so glad that someone else has thought of the idea."

Both of the girls who are in their 20s say that this place will allow them to meet with their friends in a casual way. "We feel bound by society's boundaries to act in certain ways," Sarah told Xinhua

Read more: First 'women only' coffee shop in Ramallah - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/first-women-only-coffee-shop-in-ramallah-1.91230##ixzz1yJKGYOo7

but where Muslims (Arabs/Palestinians) are concerned assumptions are made, even though some of them are Christians

[marybourg]

3. "new rebellious concept", right

out of the 15th century!

[holdencaufield]

4. Apparently...

... not an original concept.

http://www.curves.com/