"I am often asked whether I was condescended to by men as I travelled around the world to Arab countries and other places with highly traditional cultures," Albright wrote in her memoir, Madam Secretary. "I replied, 'No, because when I arrived somewhere, it was in a large plane with United States of America emblazoned on the side."
Or was it because they thought you were a man? Hmmm...
Maybe everyone was too busy clearing the goats away from the bridge for their protection.
Actually, I have heard Western women journalists and other female scholars who have traveled in the Middle East describe their status (in the eyes of their hosts) as that of an "honorary man."
By elevating them to the level of a man, they could interact with them on a professional level (meet with them , hold extended discussions on serious matters, etc.); something they would never do with local women, no matter how well educated.
Just another example of the Middle Eastern "let's pretend to be modern and urbane" game.