It is important to learn and abide by the customs and the accepted level and styles of communication between the sexes in a foreign culture, both verbal and nonverbal. Much of the world is still very male oriented, as far as social customs go.
Western women are often targets for unwelcome comments, advances and rape when abroad.
Their dress and behavior can be seen as provocative and outwardly promiscuous by other cultures. If women choose to wear clothes and behave that way, other cultures may see this as public sexual assertiveness, and an overt invitation to sexual acts. This is usually not the intent of the Western woman whose ethnocentricity causes her to feel it is her right to dress and behave as she would at home, and the members of the host culture shouldn't stare, follow her or make advances. She, in turn, is likely to feel that the host culture is sex crazed, presumptuous, lecherous and lacking in self-control. It is often unpredictable what a culture will deem is proper or improper for a woman to wear.