Sex and the Single Palestinian

While the Palestinian society is more open than many others in the Middle East, there is still much frustration these days and not only for economic reasons, says Bassem Ezbidi, a political scientist at the West Bank's Bir Zeit University. "The political stalemate with Israel and internal violence between Hamas and Fatah also contribute."

Cell phone use has skyrocketed over the last five years, he says. His students often walk around with high-tech phones they can barely afford.

"The unfortunate part is they use the phones not to communicate, but to surf porn and download useless ringtones. It's raised issues at the university," where cell phone chatter and the constant beeping of messages have become a campuswide scourge, he says.

Back in the shopping center, the four men are done watching the porn clip. They head back inside to what they call a couples bar. Here men and women sit in darkened corners, close, but never touching. Just being here unchaperoned pushes the boundaries of acceptable social behavior.

Virgin at 50?

Muhammed and Muna are to marry next month. Muhammad is a construction worker who makes about $700 per month. They are not wealthy. They wanted a cheap wedding, but tradition and their parents compelled them to do otherwise. It's taken a toll on Muna, who unlike many other women here, married for love.

She says she feels nauseated when at home. "I fainted the other day from the pressure. They want Muhammad to incur all the expenses and to invite the whole village to the wedding." That's at least 2,000 people, she says, all of whom must be fed.

On the one hand, Muna considers herself a modern woman. She works and doesn't feel the need for a traditional celebration to mark her marriage. On the other hand, she says feels unable to buck tradition and family.