Cultural cafes still hold allure for Saudi women

AHSA — Cafes have become a popular gathering place for women due to the lack of other facilities such as sports clubs. Despite the arrival of many international brands, traditional cafes still attract a large a number of female customers even though they are bit more expensive. Family Café sales manager Hani Al-Rafie said cafes have become an outlet for women to do something out of their normal routine. “Cafes are great places to go to when you want to get out of the house but still relax somewhere. You can meet people there or sit down and use your computer or write in a notepad. The rate of women going to cafes has increased by 50 percent this summer,” Al-Rafie said. He also said women and children constitute 90 percent of the customers of such cafes. “Cafes and restaurants cater to mostly women and children with their menus by increasing the number of desert plates available. Cafes are also quiet places in comparison to shopping centers. That is another allure for women. Cafes inside and outside shopping centers are equally crowded and popular. Each has its own purpose and style,” Al-Rafie said. Accountant Khalid Al-Qassim said cafes inside shopping centers are usually visited by shoppers. “Cafes in shopping centers are a way for the shopper to relax and calm down from the bustling of shopping. Cafes outside of shopping centers are where women meet up with their friends,” Al-Qassim said. Umm Omar said despite the high prices of cultural cafes, they are still popular among women. “Cultural cafes have a local identity that differentiates them from international brands. They feel like home without the work needed by the customer. The only flaw cafes have is that they rarely pay enough attention to their desert menu,” Umm Omar said. Nahlah Al-Eid said cafes outside of shopping centers give an air of privacy and quietness. “Although cafes are a popular attraction among women, we do need other activities for women as well such as sports centers and cultural and social activities,” she said.