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JANUARY WRITING PROMPT | A-CULTURATED
How Compliant Should a Tourist Be with Local Customs?
When feminist sensibility clashes with misogynist tradition
In the Balinese temple, my American cousin Nina scoffed at the large notice between the changing room and the hot springs, barged through the gate and jumped in the temple pool.
I was left gawping at the notice, as if reading it again could somehow alter what had just happened.
ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR THE SAKE OF THE HOLINESS AND OUR SAFETY, WE KINDLY REQUEST WOMEN BEING MENSTRUATING CAN NOT TO ENTER THE HOT SPRINGS
“Nina! You’re not allowed to, you’re menstruating!” I hissed at her, when she surfaced.
I was shocked to my core at her rudeness.
“Pah!” Nina replied, “I refuse to comply with such blatant sexism. I’m wearing a tampon, so I’m not going to pollute the water. I honour my body, and my bloods. It’s a feminist issue.”
“But, …but, …” I had no words.
There had been a similar sign at the entrance to the temple, requesting that menstruating women not enter the premises. I had subconsciously dismissed it. Why did I think her entering the pool was more disrespectful than…
