I love the exotic, intimidating and slightly weird Arab states; UAE for example takes some getting used to.  First, the miles and miles of desert sands are amazing – there’s nothing to compare in Europe. Ok, so there’s conflict in parts – so what? Don’t let that put you off, head for Cairo and see the amazing pyramids. Or visit Saudi Arabia for a teetotal trip and experience different cultures and lifestyles.

Try Dubai for some of the most opulent and luxurious hotels you’ll have ever seen; the Burj Al Arab is classed as ‘super luxury’ accommodation (being the only 7-star hotel in the world) and an iconic statement for new Dubai. But to sample the real Middle East, take a pilgrimage to the biblical and historic Israel and Jordan. See the Mount of Temptation and the legendary Garden of Gethsemane or head for Turkey where you can see the remains of a 1^st century church!

Drill down into the proper Arab civilisation and browse the many wonderful, chaotic and aromatic souq’s. These traditional markets show the colourful side of Arabia and are the best way to experience the hustle and bustle of everyday life here. Soak up the culture and admire the local crafts before enjoying an authentic Arabic meal.

Where else in the world can you see the beautiful Arabian horses in their natural habitat? Known for their superior intelligence, free spirit and refined gait, Qatar is home to the finest Arabian horses in the world – the best and most pampered and owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani. Many well-respected equestrian events are held here.

Five of the Seven Wonders of the World are in the Middle East – two in Turkey, two in Egypt and one in Iraq. Ignore the hype and see them for yourself.

More recently though, technology, dating websites and the more liberal and rebellious attitudes of young people are causing a dating revolution; the taboo sex before marriage is now standard practice amongst a small group of young men and women in the normally conservative UAE.

Head to any shopping centre, café or cinema and, thanks to Bluetooth technology, approaching a potential partner is easy and discrete – they’re all doing it via text, breaking traditions and taking their love lives into their own hands.

For men, approaching a female directly and starting a conversation is regarded as extremely rude – it’s just not the done thing here. Pursuing girls via Bluetooth starts with flirtatious messages and will, for a small number of men, end with sex in a hotel room. This new dating game proves that sex before marriage is possible and what was so completely taboo not so long ago is now an exciting game for many young Arabs. A recent survey showed that one in four young men in Iran had sex before marriage and this number will continue to rise as morals relax and technology advances.

Dating web sites are also popular, promising to help registered, paying users find husbands and wives. The governments though are taking a dim view, with some sites being fined and closed down for ‘promoting prostitution’.

Freedom to explore love and sexuality is stifled but for some radical young adults the dating game is an exciting way to experiment before settling down.

I feel that it is my obligation to try to write in detail what Paul started. Plus, yeah, it is good blog fodder.

I grew up switching loyalties when it comes to underarm care — shaving, waxing, plucking, etc. Everytime a new product came out, I tried it. As long as it promised to take underarm hair away. And as far as I know, almost everyone did the same. Someone even took the trouble of writing about the practice for women to remove these unwanted underarm hair.

In addition, female underarm hair has always been portrayed by media as scandalous. Heck, it even made the papers (not to mention, wikipedia) when Julia Roberts was caught unshaved.

When I went to Europe, I had to remind myself to close my mouth and not stare whenever I saw women raise their arms and see hair. Lots of hair. Grown freely. Wearing sleeveless shirts.

I cannot seem to find the real background WHY our society “demands” shaved armpits for women. And WHY most European (and Chinese, I found via google) women do not see the need to rid their underarm of hair.

Whatever the reasons are, Scrivs, be warned, there lies the difference… unshaved armpits in Women.