Bachelors wary of awkward looks at shopping mallsJEDDAH – All of young men in Jeddah seem to agree that the seaside was their only place for recreation during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays. Several youths Saudi Gazette/Okaz spoke to bemoaned that there was a lack of other recreation activities in the city and this year bachelors have also been banned from shopping malls by the authorities, ostensibly to prevent harassment of families. Along Jeddah's Corniche, thousands of young people can be found using the pavements to spend their leisure time, either chatting or playing cards. Muhammad Al-Sayegh said that barring youths from entering shopping malls have reduced their options. He said they have no other choice but to go out to the sea or stay at home. Al-Sayegh criticized the awkward looks when young men try to enter markets and shopping malls. His friend Alaa agrees that there is a lack of recreation areas. He said a young person has no choice but to go to a café or the nearest pavement overlooking the sea. Wael Mansour said that despite the unjust manner in which the youth are being treated, he loves the seaside and quite often convinces his friends to go there on an outing. Rashed Muhammad and Hussein Ali also raised concerns about the lack of activities for young people during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays. They pointed out that the only way they spend their leisure time is to sit in a circle on the pavements next to the sea and play cards (Balot), Uno and dominoes.
