Tue Jun 19, 2012, 09:15 PM

First 'women only' coffee shop in Ramallah

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

5 replies, 721 views

Thread info Bookmark this thread Trash this thread

Reply to this thread

Always highlight: 10 newest replies | Replies posted after I mark a forum

Replies to this discussion thread

5 replies	Author	Time	Post
First 'women only' coffee shop in Ramallah (Original post)	King_David	Jun 2012	OP
more	King_David	Jun 2012	#1
sexist. women should demand equal access. nt	msongs	Jun 2012	#2
Thanks but according to the article they already have equal access	azurnoir	Jun 2012	#5
"new rebellious concept", right	marybourg	Jun 2012	#3
Apparently...	holdencaufield	Jun 2012	#4

Response to King_David (Original post)

Tue Jun 19, 2012, 09:16 PM

King_David (4,685 posts)

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

Reply to this post

Response to King_David (Original post)

Tue Jun 19, 2012, 10:24 PM

msongs (30,823 posts)

2. sexist. women should demand equal access. nt

Reply to this post

Response to msongs (Reply #2)

Wed Jun 20, 2012, 02:07 AM

azurnoir (27,423 posts)

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

Reply to this post

Response to King_David (Original post)

Tue Jun 19, 2012, 10:43 PM

marybourg (2,216 posts)

3. "new rebellious concept", right

out of the 15th century!

Reply to this post

Response to King_David (Original post)

Wed Jun 20, 2012, 12:11 AM

holdencaufield (2,927 posts)

4. Apparently...

... not an original concept.

http://www.curves.com/

Reply to this post

Israel/Palestine (Group)