“The demureness of what was much more of a quote-unquote feminine expectation is sort of out the window here,” she said.

The meaning of that term has shifted some throughout time, though it denotes politeness and a certain demureness or docility.

What may surprise readers with preconceived notions of Arab women is that Laila cares little for cultivating demureness.

She arranges herself with demureness to gain veneration.

“It is you and my mother who will find a good person when the time comes, Aunty,” he said, with a false demureness.