The author's problem is not with shops closing for prayers. She is angry that the store refused to provide services to women who were present there without their mahram (male guardian). Women cannot always be accompanied by their mahram for every little chore women need to do outside the house. It is inconvenient, and that is her point, I believe. Ayesha Khan What would happen if a woman had to deliver her baby and her husband was out of the country with no other mahram close by Will she die at home or grab a cab and go? Or will she drive the family car to a medical facility Kim Lanny I have been living in Saudi Arabia for the past 20 years or so, and there is nothing called protection or safety, even if one goes with a mahram. Those who want to catcall will do it despite the presence of one's mahram. Sarah Kaleem Ahmed I am an expat woman who regularly goes out with a driver and after 14 years have never experienced any of this! If anything, quite the opposite. Many times Saudi males will let me go ahead of them and most of them are extremely helpful. I have never been refused service because I was on my own! Elizabeth Hussey Poor customer service is typical everywhere in the Kingdom's government sector, apart from the international airports which have now tremendously improved their services inclusive of check-in agents. Kim Lanny
