h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

in certain arabic and middle eastern states women are not supposed to eat with men. usually dining will take place in the same room but the women and younger male children will eat in a separate area. a traveller to these areas will not find this a problem if staying at hotels/resorts etc. but it can cause huge resentment if you are at a family house. if you are a female guest to a male from the house, then the family will sometimes accept you as a western prominent and you may eat with the men, but most of the time its not likely.
its important to subtely check what the family's religous standing is if you are invited to join them.

The reason for this is that no man may see a woman unveiled except for her husband. And how are women expected to eat withou unveiling themselves?

I have seen situations (on television, unfortunately not in person) where the males eat in one room while the females remain in the kitchen and cook and serve. They get what's left. It doesn't seem much different to a rushed Western household quite honestly, and very often I prefer not to watch (or listen to) men eat. Especially if they're talking football at the same time.