It’s funny how urban myths and legends are sometimes so ingrained, that despite travelling and gainng an education, we still bring with us, and perpetuate, some of the most ludicrous and seemingly obvious ideas!
I find such cultural/national myths often they centre on rulers of countries – e.g So-and-so was well over 100 when he died.. or he was the richest man who ever lived, or something more mythical and far-fetched. There is always a drive to exegerate, embellish and glorify!
These cultural beliefs are staunchly defended as something they “know” to be truth they have always 'heard' it or been told by someone who has definitive proof, whose name, they have unfortunately forgotten.
A funny example of this the common misunderstanding about freckles. Many of my khaleeji friends have asked me about my freckles (bear in mind these are well-traveled people who are studying at Australian universities, some of whom also speak English at home with their families and are very 'western')..
Conversation is often as follows:
“Why do only some western people have freckles, when you get them from eating pork? (and all westerners eat pork)”
"No, you don’t get freckles from eating pork" (heck you only need to look at the Chinese to prove this!)
“Are you sure, because I heard it’s eating pork that gives you freckles.”
(Anything you “hear” back home is automatically honest-to-God truth.)
“Why don’t you remove them?”
(Sure I’ll just ring up Michael Jackson’s plastic surgery)
“You mean you weren’t born with them?!” (Surprised expression)
"Yup. We get them from exposure to the sun – it’s pigmentation."
“Oh. Then why do you go in the sun? If you stop going in the sun, you won’t get them”
At this point I explain that if you are genetically the sort of person to get freckles (e.g white skin, red hair etc), then short of living in a windowless room all your life, or wearing niqab and abaya 24/7 then you will get freckles.
The first few times I had this conversation, and the assumption that I should "get rid of them" sure didn't boost the old ego! Especially as I teenager I hated the fact I couldn't tan, and tried all sota of tanning products from lotion to fake tan.. yes I was occaisonally mildly orange!!
At the end if all else fails I shrug, and say "Well, this is how God made me".. and thankfully middle eastern culture doesn't leave much room for retorts to that one!!
The other funny thing about skin is the gulf pre-occupation with blemishes on women.
If my friends injure themselves (mildly) they will go to doctors to have any mark/scar removed asap! Cooking with friends, if any of the girls have a drop of oil land on them, they will anxiously examine themselves to ensure it won’t leave a mark.. in contrast many of my male friends will proudly exhibit their battle scars from various soccer games, car accidents etc.
I have very few scars, and I remember once having a red mark fading from a cut on my hand.. a friend of mine saw it and said gravely, “Why don’t you have that mark removed?”
My gulf pals will often look at a scar/mark with the same consternation that you would view a potentially malignant skin cancer. “You should really get that treated!”
The logic behind this? The idea that these are “blemishes” on the otherwise flawless woman’s skin- detracting from her beauty (and therefore her appeal to a future or current husband.)
The idea of a prize cow up for inspection comes to mind :S But... “To each their own!”
