Daily Life in Cambodia
Women in Gloves
24 May 2012
If someone asked you why people wear gloves, you most likely would answer [1] to protect their hands from the cold or [2] to protect their hands from manual labor. In Cambodia, however, it seems the primary reason for wearing gloves is to protect women's skin from becoming darker from the sun. There is strong cultural prejudice in favor of white or light-colored skin in Cambodia, and young women especially go to great lengths and considerable trouble and inconvenience to cover their arms and hands when riding a two-wheeled vehicle. Here are some samples of the gloves women wear in Phnom Penh.
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These long gloves are the most noticeable form of sun protection. They are available at every little shop along the street and come in every color and pattern. This young woman probably has several pairs and choose black to match her outfit. |
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Less stylish but more practical are these simple hand gloves worn with a long-sleeve jacket (which is usually worn backwards). Remember that the temperatures are usually in the 90šs! |
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