Question to Muslims, about ediquette?

Question

I work in sales in a tourist area. I get alot of women customers. Alot wearing head scarves or hijib, (i think thats the right word), Most do not speak english, and I have to ask the husband questions to help the wives. Is it better to speak directly to the husband, or ask the question to the wife and wait for the husband to respond? I don't want to be rude or disrespectfull, and someone told me that men do not like to talk to women directly. What should I do?

I am a women

Also, the questions are very personel, I work for a large lingerie chain.

Answer 1

U have a great sense of respect.. its really admirable!

Well, I suggest you can make an effort to communicate with the ladies even if they did not understand. Their husbands will get the cue and respond to those questions to you. This way, ur neither offending the ladies nor the husband. Good-luck :)

Yes, the word is hijab..

Answer 2

OK, you know that not all of them do not speak English, so, first, you should talk to the woman who is going to buy the hijeb, if she does not know the language speak to her using gestures, if not speak to their husbands . no problem , he will understand that . say to him that her wife does not know the English this is why you talk to him, not all men do not talk to women , but look, Islam does not prevent men from talking to women at all, but it asks them to do so when it is necessary, and the same for the women. as it is now .The problem is that there are people understand that and work on it and there are who go far away from reality and prevent himself even from looking to women.So, if you can why do not you learn the Arabic, few words you can use to sell your products. one thing I want to add, people are not the same in understanding one religion , so each one understands it as he sees it.

Answer 3

If the women do not speak English, you need to talk to the person there who does.


Are you a man or a woman? If you are a man, it is best to speak directly to the man. If you are a woman, speak to the woman and wait for either to answer. Or, better yet------try to state your words so they are going to both of them.

Answer 4

If he's the one who answered your question, you should direct your questions to him or to both of them. Muslim men talk to women, but some religious men tend to direct their eyes away. The wife will never consider a disrespect, because she does not speak the language.

And I agree with kuts, "U have a great sense of respect.. its really admirable!"

Answer 5

It's ok dear. I've been to Saudi Arabia before and I saw MEN (salesmen) talking to completely veiled women (their husbands are next to them). It's alright. Bravo for being so considerate and nice.

Answer 6

well if you are a woman you should be speaking to the wives not the husbands.because its not allowed in Islam for a man to talk to a woman unless there is a reason.so its better if you speak to the women.

Answer 7

just ask whomever can speak english better, either the husband or wife.


i'm a Muslim man.
And i do talk to woman who is unmarried, but not together in a small confinement.

Answer 8

They are visiting your country. In Saudi, women tourists have to put on scarves... It is the law. So I say, do whatever you want, they are here and when in Rome... Other wise they can go back home.

Answer 9

u should move to another region with no 'Alot wearing head scarves or hijib'

Answer 10

You are in America, working as an American, and if they don't like the way we operate in America, let them go back home.