Women & their erotic shoulders!

[Le Chat]

I recently went to a Holy Shrine in Bosnia at a place called Medjugorje. I went with my friend (who is a Catholic) to scatter her Dad's ashes around the statue of Our Lady. (She appeared here to some children apparantly in the 80's.) Her Dad had been there 23 times and was a devout Catholic. I am not Catholic but went with her for support.
We climbed up 'Apparition Hill' to the statue (swealtering heat of 42degrees) and she started spreading his ashes, whilst I looked out over the horizon, feeling quite relaxed and calm.
A few moments later I saw a man gesturing to my friend and she came over to me (I had the bags) and took out her sarong to put over her shoulders, as this bloke had 'rightly pointed out' that it was a sin for a woman to have bare shoulders in the vicinity of such holiness.
He then hissed at me to do the same, as I had on a string top. I obliged, as this was my friend's journey and very important to her, although I felt like telling him where to get off to be honest.
Of all the petty, misoginistic, pathetic and ridiculous idiosyncracities of religion...why shoulders? Who made this one up? I mean come on..... I'm sure Jesus and the statue of Our Lady had better things to worry about that whether my shoulders were covered!

[rowanwitch]

This is ritualised behaviour designed by humans to reinforce the supposed power of the site... its a bit of extra hocus pocus..

[woofgang]

well but if you choose to go to such a place, its only good manners to abide by the rules.

[sandyRoe]

Many religious people have a struggle with carnal temptations. The sight of an attractive shoulder might be enough to undo a lifetime of piety. Better safe than sorry.

[Kiki-frog]

I agree with woofgang. If you go to a holy place of any religion, then surely it's only good manners to follow their dress code.

[rowanwitch]

Don't send Gness there then..

Iwouldn't have covered up especially but in that heat I'd probably have worn a shirt for protection anyway

[sandyRoe]

I agree with woofgang & Kiki-frog. If you went clothed on a nudist beach you could expect grumpy old fellows to be telling you to get your clothes off.

[Le Chat]

It was not something I had considered actually, especially as we were out in the open! if it were a nudist beach...then nakedness is actually optional! My gripe is that I don't get the reason for this. Looking at my body, I don't think it's my shoulders that are anything worth getting steamed up about ... they are as unspecial as my hands or calves, which remained uncovered and the bolke had no problem with those.

[woofgang]

you don't have to get the reason apart from its being good manners.

[Graham-W]

When in Rome....Do as the Romans. Or be prepared to offend people of a different code to you.
As my Mum said, "Good manners cost nothing".

[Le Chat]

Well yes...I know that but might I add there were people smoking (which many would consider offensive) and a man with just shorts on and no shirt at all, bearing his chest but that was not deemed to be a sin, seemingly. So I would like to know the reason behind this.
I was quite enjoying the moment and just felt deflated.
Is there are passage in the Bible relating to this or is it a man made peculiarity?

[naomi24]

It’s not only shoulders – it’s often legs too – but I follow the dress code in temples, churches, synagogues, mosques, and wherever else I am expected to. Wouldn’t want to drive the men wild – well, at least, not in public. ;o)

[Kiki-frog]

I'm surprised that the chap without a shirt wasn't told to cover up as well. That does seem odd.

[jno]

I don't think many do consider smoking offensive - in Bosnia. Their country, their rules. You can tick off Bosnians who start smoking in your home.

[naomi24]

Kiki, I'm surprised at the man not being told to wear a shirt too - and I've seen someone being asked to put a cigarette out in the grounds of a Buddhist temple.

Le Chat, the bible says that women should cover their heads and dress modestly.

[gness]

Rowan. The incident with the cocktail dress, the priest, the wine and the skip was a one off!

[jomifl]

I'm afraid it is true, women have been exciting men with their erotic shoulders for millenia without appreciating the hidden thrills they are giving. Now some Bosnian killjoy has let the cat out of the bag they world will be a sadder place and women will have to put up with hot shoulders.

[ludwig]

^ .....mmmmm hot shoulders. Phwoar!

[jomifl]

Sorry about that Ludwig...

[DaisyNonna]

Of course it is a man made peculiarity. Men dominate all religions. Probably because they were too scared to hunt for food eons ago. Thus to eat they needed tribute from others. A direct line to the gods would be a good excuse. Any truly religious man would not be tempted by a bare shoulder. Tempted to what? The future existence of the species?

[naomi24]

Now you've gone and been and dunnit, Jom! There'll be no holding him now! :o)