''Arabists'' will point out that untill just recently these people really were living in the desert, and even though they now live in luxury villas, their culture still is infused with that from the harsh environment that they so recently left.
All that stuff that explorerers across Arabia like Wilfred Thesiger described, and which the bookshops in Dubai have loads of picture books of.
The same for the Bedouin, and who knows, maybe the Berbers of the Maghreb, and the Marsh Arabs of Iraq too. The tribes, the local strong men, the political class, all scrapping for power. Obviously the Baathists of Syria know that as soon as they lose power that they're done for.
This all sounds terribly imperialistic and orientalist though.

But I have been working this year right next to London's Edgware road Arab shops and cafes. Is it something to do with the particrhal culture and the seperation between men and women? That particular Arab culture that you pick up? Which is as obvious as being in in a chinese enviroment. Here in Kuala Lumpar lots of young women wear hijabs, but still walk down the road holding hands with their boyfriend. In Dubai their are notices forbiding people of such practices (at the entrances to shopping malls).
Here it seems that people do what they like.
And then, just outside this internet place in the middle of the city, there are a group of Arab tourists in their 20's at a shisha bar, and I looked at them for a minute, They look just like similar guys in London. All guys, having a laugh and commenting on all the people walking past them. I'd love to know what they think of a supposedly muslim country like this and seeing so many women out and about on a saturday night and wearing whatever they want and going out with whoever they want. They might think it's haram – or they might think it's great (I don't know). Would they be happy to see their sisters out having a good time like these young KL women are doing?

Like pornography, this blog is blocked in Dubai for some reason.
http://secretdubai.blogspot.com/

“One view held by some people, not all. In fact not all by a long shot.”

And I'm not suggesting for a moment that it is held by all men in the Middle East. It's simply prevalent, to a much higher degree in that culture.

the only people who can change the situation is the people themselves if they want democracy, socialism or islam then they have to fight hard for it, it will not be handed on a plate for them.

One view held by some people, not all. In fact not all by a long shot.

maybe there is something about an 'Arab' perspective, though I was reflecting on the same characteristics you describe about South East Asia, as you will know, politics isn't the thing here, and in China ( East Asia) everyone is a foreigner who isn't Han Chinese, let alone a real foreigner, foreigner like me. In much of central America and Latin America, the US is the bogey-man, in Nepal, it is India. The point i am making is that there is always an external other one can foist lots of frustrations upon – some legitimate, some not.

It's interesting to hear your observations about the different Middle Eastern countries, especially Xena Warrior Princess (?!), I've pasted through that part of the world ( not the gulf states), and almost always travelled with other female friends, and unlike say, India, or Bangladesh, where women get stared at, and especially as non-white women we're not afforded the protection of being 'foreign and maybe important and rich', we managed to get on fine and had the most intimate holiday encounters where families of women with children would invite us into their homes – something which isn't doable with male travellors of course. Equally, though we never sat down in the cafes where the men smoked so.

Still, on the point about Darfur, i think the whole world is guility and as you know there is lots of rivalry between Arab states and African leaders on how to manage regional conflict and tension. My own view is it shameful that Darfur is ignored by everyone.

Are you talking about the ferry to Pekanbaru? If so, it's fine. I am travelling with a travel writer on Indonesia who confirms that it's OK to travel to these regions, obviously not in Padang on the west coast. The main attractions around Pekanbaru are Bukittingi, (very nice, set in beautiful countryside,) and further towards Medan Danautoba which is also stunning.

Pulau Wei seems beautiful – people seem keen to see you here, even if remote and great for diving as its still untouched. The local people are desperate for tourists to come and revive the local economy, and 'tsunami tourism' seems to be the new thing, but it is so sad to see, in my mind, without being scientific, Banda Aceh seems incredibly poor in terms of development. It was a bit odd getting the ferry across from Banda Aceh and well, thinking about these waters in the tsunami.

Everything the author talks about could be applied to a lesser/greater degree in other parts of the world . It's probably accurate, and will be familiar to anyone who has lived abroad and travelled around the globe – no?

Yes a bit, but somethings are more specific to the arab world as there is this sense of theselves as one people and feel keenly about other arabs.
Noone in Morocco seems to give a stuff about Darfur, but all seem to feel keenly about Palestine. And since 9-11 particularly, as they are often forbidden from discussing politics in their own countries they take great interest in Iraq, and while I used to love just spending time in local everyday cafes, (and it was nice for older men to give you a nod and a greeting as you sat down), sometimes it felt a bit uncomfortable when the news came on the TV and Al Jazeera was showing scenes of distruction in Iraq. Or when Israel killed the wheelchair bound Hamas sheikh in 2004, it made uncomfortable watching from the cafe in Morocco where I was.

But some of the nicest kind guestures I have found are simple welcomes from Palestinians in the West Bank when getting into a share taxi. A bit scary too (even pre 2nd intifada, because someone could ''accuse'' you of being an American or something.) I felt that there was a push/pull feeling for the west and Europe from young arab men. They were fascinated by it, but repelled by it to in many ways.

Xena: Warrior Princess seemed to be a big hit in the region with young guys for some reason. And European young women travelling about independently with their packpacks must have come across as quite exotic and strange.
I remember one strapping young American woman in T shirt, jeans and boots, a big backpack, and her blond hair in a long plait (in Egypt) asking ''what's wrong with these guys?'' They ogled her everywhere she went and tried to touch her she complained.
She wasn't talking to me directly so I didn't say anything, but she reminded me of Xena.

Halima, I was thiking of crossing over from KL where I am, to Sumatra on the ferry, but I didn't want to go if people were still too traumatised by the tsunami to be thinking about having visitors. Is it OK to go?
Pulau Wei off the northen coast must have been the hardest hit of all?

“You are really clueless, aren't you? I mean, I have accused you several times of being a racist and a bigot, so what do you think?”

Fair point. My apologies. It was a cheap shot and putting words into your mouth in an attempt to make a point.

“Indeed, this is a misconception in societies where sex outside marriage is a taboo.”

Spot on.

However, the (predictable) point I’ve tried to make in this debate is that throughout the world, different societies have differing cultures and values. Yes, there are always fundamental similarities. But all cultures are clearly not the same, as Nesrine Malik’s article demonstrates perfectly.

The main problem I have with the ideology of multiculturalism is the assumption that mixing any cultures in any proportions will always result in harmony, mutual respect and even ‘celebration’.

This is absurd.

Understanding Middle Eastern culture as I do, I’ve felt very unsettled at times, observing the behaviour of Western tourists in countries like Egypt, Morocco and Turkey. Western women might see nothing wrong with flirting with or embarking on a holiday romance with a local guy. What they don’t understand however, is that they are not in the West. The man involved will in all likelihood not see it as ‘a bit of a laugh’ in the way a Western man would.

They will often see it as an opportunity to have sex with a ‘whore’. And as such they will reinforce their low opinion of Western women to themselves and their peers.

Similarly, the way some Western tourists dress in conservative areas in the Middle East demonstrates an ignorance and arrogant contempt of the mores of that society.

Growing up in Britain, I’ve regularly associated with other Iranian men, both visiting students and settled immigrants. I can’t fail to notice that many who have arrived more recently or at an older age than me, or have grown up here in more conservative Iranian families, have a shocking lack of respect towards British women.

They don’t have a problem with dating them or shagging them. They’ll do this with enthusiasm. They’ll even have a long term relationship or marry a British girl. But they never seem to get away from their perception of those women as somehow being ‘whores’.

I’ve seen this conflict really mess guys up and damage their relationships, particularly when they’ve fallen in love with the woman concerned.

We have to recognise that cultures are often very different.

And we have to do more to ensure that everyone understands that the way they behave or think in their culture will not automatically be acceptable to another culture.

For me, the ideology multiculturalism prevents this approach. It denies that cultures can be inherently different.

It doesn’t encourage people to behave in a way that respects a ‘host’ culture.

And subsequently, it engenders disrespect, intolerance and suspicion.

western gentleman was considered rich ( no doubt ) it was easy to acknowledge the man's attractiveness , reinforced with the images of beautiful blondes in the movies…

And as Reza pointed out, the idea that Westerners are more sexually open.

Are you suggesting that non-white-Europeans are capable of 'racism'?

You are really clueless, aren't you? I mean, I have accused you several times of being a racist and a bigot, so what do you think? (You seem to forget that you are an Iranian immigrant too often)

Certainly there is a view that Western women are ‘whores’. You’ll regularly encounter this attitude in the Middle East, and among people from those cultures in the UK.

Indeed, this is a misconception in societies where sex outside marriage is a taboo. But Britain and Europe had a similar mindset not so long ago, and even today, white Christian conservatives feel that women who have many sexual partners are whores.

“There is a fourth one, which is that light skin and hair are seen as female traits in those regions, which might explain why even heterosexual guys – in a sexually repressed society – might hit on white men.”

Are you suggesting that non-white-Europeans are capable of 'racism'?

Another reason, I believe, is that there is a view that Westerners are 'debauched' and ‘up for anything’.

Certainly there is a view that Western women are ‘whores’.

You’ll regularly encounter this attitude in the Middle East, and among people from those cultures in the UK.

Interesting, can you expand? Are you saying that white men in the Middle East aren't regarded as masculine or something?

It is based on anecdotal evidence, A good friend of mine when travelling to Egypt asked one of the locals why was he hitting on him after he said he was not gay, and the local responded that he had beautiful blonde hair and skin like the women he saw on a magazine. When reading Bill Corr's post I remembered this incident.

Interesting, can you expand?

Are you saying that white men in the Middle East aren't regarded as masculine or something? That is a , er.. , a slightly different view of the raging Western man in eastern imagery….

Look, participation in homosexual activity is one of three things:
1 – An amusing variant, as in cool bisexuality
2 – A matter of conviction; one is 'unswervingly gay'
3 – The only show in town, which is deal in prisons, sailing ships and most of the Middle East

There is a fourth one, which is that light skin and hair are seen as female traits in those regions, which might explain why even heterosexual guys might hit on white men.