Thursday, January 3, 2013

Sexual Harassment

I have been sexually harassed throughout the years, as any female can attest to. I can't tell you how many guys I've seen doing gross things while driving, I've made my way through Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras, and I grew up in East Texas. Enough said. So, yes, I have had gross things said to me, shown to me, waved at me, etc. So I thought I would be prepared for whatever Cairo had in store for me in that area. Thank God I had somewhat mentally prepared beforehand because if I hadn't, it would've been the end of my stay here within a month.

From what I've heard, things in Maadi have gotten worse since the Revolution. Without the military-based rule that was in place for years and years, the men in Cairo have gotten...bold...in terms of harassing women. I thought that since we were moving into the area of Cairo where all the expats live that we wouldn't be subjected to catcalls, but I was very, very mistaken. In fact, whenever I have been outside of Maadi, I don't receive a fraction of the harassment. I went to the Mall of Arabia in 6 of October a couple of months ago and was walking around for several hours when I finally noticed that I was the ONLY, I mean the ONLY Westerner in attendance. I got a few stares, just a few, but not one single Arabic whistle (I can't replicate this, but it's very, very annoying) and not one single comment. I have also been out and about in the downtown area and in Giza and other parts of Cairo and had the same experience. Well, when I walk around Giza, the kids follow me around, but I don't mind that a bit because they're so adorable and they just want to practice their English with me! So I have concluded, based on my experiences and talking to other people, that the Egyptian men in Maadi act the way they do because they can. In other parts of the city, they would be too embarrassed to act that way, but around here, with all the foreigners, they figure they can act however they want without anyone calling them out.

I always have ignored the guys until a couple of weeks ago when this guy did the Arabic whistle to me as I was walking down the sidewalk near our apartment. He was less than 5 feet from me and I just snapped. I don't know why, but it just set me off for some reason. When he did that stupid whistle thing, I just went off! And I felt really good about it. Until I realized a couple of days later that he actually lives in that building, so I have to see him off and on now. So typical. I don't say jack until it's someone I have to pass semi-regularly. I think he actually feels bad now, though, because every time he sees me now, he turns around and walks away. Yes!!

As for how much harassment I get, here's an example: On the 15 minute walk from my apartment to the Ace Club, on an average day I will hear about 5 Arabic catcalls from cars, trucks or just guys walking or standing around (thank God I don't know what they're saying), at least 3 guys or car loads of guys literally leaning out of windows to ogle (without saying anything), and 2 guys walking that will literally stop and stare as I walk by or stare so much that they trip and almost fall (I have to stop myself from laughing at them). Of course, every once in awhile I hit the jackpot and get a nasty comment in English thrown at me. Also, these numbers go up considerably during protests, when it seems everyone around Cairo gets riled up.

As to why the guys do this, I could write a book! I think it's a combination of sexual repression, the view of Western women, especially blondes, that is perpetuated in our own media and movies, the post-Revolution lawlessness that seems to have prevailed, and just the general vibe towards Westerners around here (that we are all rich and crass and morally corrupt). Most days I just shrug my shoulders and laugh it off. Other days, it gets to me and I want to just scream at every one of the men I see!

I should note, too, though, that I have never once felt unsafe in Cairo. No one has ever touched me or followed me. Which is more than I can see for back at home, where I would NEVER walk around by myself as much as I do here. And I can also say that Chloe doesn't get the harassment, Thank God, or there would've been an international incident MONTHS AGO! I'm so glad she fits in more than me.

I should also point out that for every guy that acts inappropriately towards me, there are 10 that are respectful. Mostly the older men. Or the younger guys who have obviously been around more Westerners through business or socially.