Mulism-interview1, a woman from Saudi Arabia

I interviewed a woman from Saudi Arabia.

We basically talk about:

1. life behavior (most rule only for women)

First, veil
She said every woman in mulism need to wear veil and hide their face, even after they marry.
I ask her I have seen people with veil, but not hide face. She said because they come to America which is really open. They do not want people think them strange, so some of them take off their veils.

Second, clearly gender identity-male and female
Females cannot talk to males except family member. She also mention even for family member, they still have rules. Women can talk to their father, brothers, and grandfather, but they cannot talk to sister's husband.
She says people do not go to dinning hall, do not live in dorm. They try to avoid every public places. I ask her about discussion in class. She said they only say things unless they must to do or teachers force them.
She said last quarter, teacher asked students to take vedio and speak certain topics. Because everyone ccould see the vedio online, she asked teacher to give her a CD. Her vedio will give to teacher directly to avoid other male see her face.
She also mentions famales only hang out with famales. They do not talk to males for whatever reason. They have really clear gender identity.

2. marriage

Their marriage is quite interesting. They always marry early, around 19. She said they use arrange marriage.
Familys pick husbands for women. Familys always pick the people they familiar with because the every society is relatively small. She said family will pick boy for girl. Girl will use two or three weeks to ask how is the boy from his friends and relatives, such as his behaviors and if he is nice. Then, girl will decide that if she want to date with him or not. The girl will says yes or no after two or three weeks. If the girl says yes, they can see each other's face. However, they are not allow to talk until they engage.
Most people have three kids.
I ask about divorce, she said it was really hard to divorce and it was bad to do that. Unless it must happen, no one will do divorce.

3. religion
She said men and women go to different places to pray. Men go to mosque, and women pray in their homes.
Every mosque has a big bugle which everyone can here. They will tell people what time they need to pray. People need to pray five times a day. It is based on the sun rise and set. It changes when people go to different countrys. She says in US, they need to see the schedule online. They will post specific time online. Baced on that time, they pray. Normally, it is 6:30am when sun rise, 2:00pm, 5:00pm, 7pm when sun set, and 9:00pm.

When talking to here, she seems hurry. I ask her why, she said she need to go back and pray. Also, she could not let her husband wait too long. We will meet this Sunday again.