Eleven things women in Saudi Arabia cannot do

Ban on women entering a Starbucks store in Riyadh is latest in long line of restrictions

Saudi Arabia women
Women wearing the traditional abaya gown and hijab headscarf

Saudi woman

Try on clothes when shopping

New malls and famous brands have been steadily opening stores.

Yet many shops do not have fitting rooms.

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The reason being as most shop clerks are male.

Also, the thought of women disrobing is considered improper.

"The mere thought of a disrobed woman behind a dressing-room door is apparently too much for men to handle," says Vanity Fair writer Maureen Dowd in 'A Girl's Guide to Saudi Arabia'.

Fitting rooms for women are sometimes supplied close to the women's bathroom facilities, which could be on a different floor from the shop itself.

But this causes inconvenience for both women shoppers and clerks. Particularly if they would like the try several sizes.

Click to page 8 to discover other things women in the Muslim kingdom are still unable to do.