_thumbnail.jpg "Akhawat Designer Abayas London")
For those who do not live in Saudi Arabia everything closes down when the athan (call to prayer) comes on and stays closed until after the prayer is over. Also, the stores in Saudi Arabia do not have fitting rooms for women however most malls do have fitting rooms close to the women’s mosque and bathroom areas. But you have to purchase the item before you can try it on.
My son and I went to the mall today and I
was shopping in Top Shop during that time the call for Isha prayer came over
the mall. I always have a problem with stores from the UK and the way the
clothing fits me so I knew I had to try it on. I quickly purchased three items
then walked across the hall to try them on so I could exchange or return what I
needed to. One of three of the pieces fit me. By the time we had prayed and did
that the shops were opening again. I told the manager at the counter that I
would like a refund for the two items because they did not fit me. He then told
me that my receipt said that I could exchange only.
Let me tell you it takes a lot to realty
get me mad these days. Yea, at one point in my life I could get mad pretty
easily but hey I am older, more mature and just more carefree these days. But
this really upset me! I was like “do you not remember me I was just here 15
minutes ago.” The man was saying that the company would get mad and he could
get into trouble if he gave me a refund. I was like okay this is ridiculous
women have absolutely no way to try clothing on in this country so we have to
buy things knowing they may not fit and pretty much just be stuck in the end
with pieces that do not fit us or stuff that we just do not want. I did not
want to exchange them for another size, I did not like them. I did not want to
get something in their place; I saw nothing else I even liked.
Top Shop is not the only store that has
been doing this ‘new’ ridiculous procedure I have heard stores like H&M are
and I know from the same experience Iconic is as well. How is this even
sensible in a country that will not let women try on clothing?
Ohh I feel so sorry for you. Sometimes we feel like throwing away the stuff back at their face when it doesn't suit or fit us. They should have those fitting rooms and they must refund if we don't want to exchange for another thing.
ReplyDeleteI know grr I was so mad I was ready to punch the guy :p
Deleteuhhh thats terrible! it seems they figured out a way to make some extra $$$ and are exploiting it.
ReplyDeleteyea haram what they do to people here.
DeleteIf you didn't like the items why did you buy them in the first place?
ReplyDeleteSometimes people like things and then when they try it on they do not like it anymore. It happens quite often in the world lol.
DeleteThat is extremely frustrating. You would think, with them knowing the situation, they'd have a big sign letting people know at least.
ReplyDeleteYou said it sister
ReplyDeleteWow. It's hard to believe things like this happen in 2012. I'm sure that growing up in America taints my view of a cultural nuance, but it just doesn't seem fair to make women purchase clothing before they try it on. Is it the same for men? Or are there men's fitting rooms?
ReplyDelete{as always, really fascinating post!}
OMG H&M did this to some girls on Eid weekend and the dress she had just bought was almost 400 Riyals! The funny thing is they were all sad and simple girls and right next to us this other girl was buying the same dress.. I was like "HELLO" tell her you will pay for it and she can give you the money... Of course it didn't spark a light bulb to them and I didn't say anything.
ReplyDeleteIts not right at all and those stores are where I like to shop but I may be stopping after this.
ReplyDeleteKatie yea it is weird and like you I never grew up with this stuff. The women here just have to deal with a lot of unfair stuff like this. Yes, man can usually try things on but it really is for the womans protection the men are very big perverts here.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even think of that.. that it might be unsafe.
ReplyDeletethats what happens when men do make decisions to "protect" women, without even consulting them. ugh irrational.
ReplyDeleteReally...this upset me a lot.... here in sweden we can go back to the store up to 30 days after the purchase.
ReplyDeleteYea its not right what so ever..
ReplyDeleteAlejandra you hit the nail on the head.
ReplyDelete