Knoxcollege, I don't understand how you cannot see that things are often not as simple as they seem on the surface...as several people have pointed out, people are hired specifically to bring items to customers outside of the store, and this situation is NOT unique to the Middle East, as there are similar restaurants/convenience stores in the US that I am aware of (just because they are a vanishing group of stores does not mean that there is something wrong with them)
Even if you are not a woman, I would ask you to just for a moment how it feels for a woman (Muslim or non-Muslim, local, Western or non-Western) to walk into a shop, juice stall or restaurant with a bunch of men sitting around and have to stand there waiting with all eyes on her as her order is being prepared -- let me tell you, it is not pleasant.
I also take offense to your critique of diamongirl's tipping - who are you to say what it is appropriate for her to tip? She has already explained that she feels tips are a form of charitable giving, something to be praised rather than criticized. I personally cannot afford to give such large tips, but I certainly tip the man pumping my gas so that I do not have to get out and stand in the 40 degree heat, or anyone else I know is doing a service for me for a tiny wage! Paying (and tipping) for outdoor service has nothing to do with showing respect to "unfortunate ones" - someone can be just as rude to a worker inside a shop as outside!
Knoxcollege, I don't understand how you cannot see that things are often not as simple as they seem on the surface...as several people have pointed out, people are hired specifically to bring items to customers outside of the store, and this situation is NOT unique to the Middle East, as there are similar restaurants/convenience stores in the US that I am aware of (just because they are a vanishing group of stores does not mean that there is something wrong with them)
Even if you are not a woman, I would ask you to just for a moment how it feels for a woman (Muslim or non-Muslim, local, Western or non-Western) to walk into a shop, juice stall or restaurant with a bunch of men sitting around and have to stand there waiting with all eyes on her as her order is being prepared -- let me tell you, it is not pleasant.
I also take offense to your critique of diamongirl's tipping - who are you to say what it is appropriate for her to tip? She has already explained that she feels tips are a form of charitable giving, something to be praised rather than criticized. I personally cannot afford to give such large tips, but I certainly tip the man pumping my gas so that I do not have to get out and stand in the 40 degree heat, or anyone else I know is doing a service for me for a tiny wage! Paying (and tipping) for outdoor service has nothing to do with showing respect to "unfortunate ones" - someone can be just as rude to a worker inside a shop as outside!