#201 2012-03-14 18:39:28
- OneManArmy
- Active member
- From: London
- Registered: 2012-03-02
- Posts: 46
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
Maybe I could become like Lawrence of Arabia!!1
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#202 2012-03-14 19:19:57
- saimans
- ViP

- From: RIYADH
- Registered: 2012-02-06
- Posts: 1576
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
OneManArmy wrote:
Maybe I could become like Lawrence of Arabia!!1

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#203 2012-03-15 07:53:16
- zizou89
- New member
- From: Djeddah
- Registered: 2012-03-02
- Posts: 1
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
Hi all of you...
It's been now 9 months since i have started a new life in Saudi Arabia.I'm leaving in Jeddah , by the red sea coast for those who do not have an idea about, so is different from other regions within the kingdom i think . I grew up in Tunis . Even though tunisia Is a muslim North African country, but still, living in KSA is completely different .. I have experienced a cultural shock myself. In my country , woman do not have to wear the full scarf and " abaya", they have all their rights ( driving, divoce, vote ect..)
The advantage comparing with other NON arab expatriates is that i do speak the language so i could communicate whith them properly.For your info, in the middle east countries ( qatar, yemen, Emirates, Saudi arabia ect) they speak the litterary classic arabic , for us ( algerians , tunisians & moroccans) we speak another dialect but still, can understand them is like South african , canadian irish and American english..anyway let's go!
Very important : Please bare in MIND the lifestyle conditions prior to live in the kingdom for those who are planning to relocate as it might be a big step to make and a hard decision to Undertake , it can be so different from what you thought.
Okay , another advantage is that i'm working as Cabin Crew so at least i could have a breath from time to time in visiting other countries and not staying all day long there.
But sometimes you have to , and when you've got 3 days off, YOU GO OUT immediately and there are no entertainment places! No cinema, no bars ( forget about it
) or disco.
The only thing you will intertain yourself with is " SHOPPING" ,there are big malls in where you will find all kind brand you wish with many coffee shops, again males section and family section and so, you will spend all your money in there...!! you mean why not having discount tickets and book a flight to dubai for example? It could be nice but NEVER forget that every time you plan to quit to country for whatever reason, you have to aplly for an exit letter 5 days prior to your departure date and your sponsor has to give you an approval letter for that matter.
Definately, is really different from where i come from but i never said Tunisia is heaven ! It is not as strict as saudi arabia that's it..
Anyway,It is a life time experience and a challenge .
Guys let's meet if in Jeddah and let's share our experience ..
Last edited by zizou89 (2012-03-15 08:08:30)
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#204 2012-03-15 09:10:56
- alamographics
- Active member
- From: Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia
- Registered: 2009-07-15
- Posts: 64
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
Greetings: The only example I've seen of an expat being required to use head covering (the pink cloth, or gutra I believe it's called), is when the expat is an Arab who works for a Saudi company or government agency, and it's the mandated attire for employees, along with the long gown, or thobe. I suppose it's hard to argue if it means you risk insubordination, as if there weren't a hundred other things to worry about. -pbn
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#205 2012-03-15 11:52:11
- Freshlikesushi
- ViP

- From: Riyadh
- Registered: 2012-03-14
- Posts: 1248
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
Dont show up from vacation with labret piercings. Apparently the boss doesnt like it.
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#206 2012-04-01 10:36:52
- RICHnSEXY_Prince
- Member
- From: Al-Khobar
- Registered: 2012-04-01
- Posts: 11
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
How to Survive in Saudi as a Western Woman
1. Live on a Western Compound.
2. Learn you have to dress modestly, ie keep your legs and arms covered.
3. Keep an Abhaya in the bottom of your handbag at all times.
4. Make sure you have access to a driver, otherwise your husband is going to hate going to the supermarket in his off time. You can't drive yourself in this country.
5. The lack of Alcohol does not worry you after a while. It was the lack of personal freedom that got to me when we lived there. It is hard to adjust to being in what seems an alien environment.
6. Go to the local Mums and Tots group meetings even if you don't have children with you. It is a good way to meet other expat women and make friends... you can always make the tea and coffee.
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#207 2012-04-01 11:57:54
- wilson_derry
- SEO

- From: Bombay
- Registered: 2011-07-16
- Posts: 1585
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
@ RICHnSEXY_Prince why your posting the same post everywhere 
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#208 2012-04-01 12:03:15
- saimans
- ViP

- From: RIYADH
- Registered: 2012-02-06
- Posts: 1576
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
May be He is new and desparate to find good friends. Happens in the early days of life @ KSA !!!
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#209 2012-04-01 12:35:31
- Alliecat
- ViP

- From: Riyadh
- Registered: 2009-10-13
- Posts: 7224
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
wilson_derry wrote:
@ RICHnSEXY_Prince why your posting the same post everywhere
Do you think he's really rich and sexy and a prince?
Alliecat
=^.^=
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#210 2012-04-01 13:10:05
#211 2012-04-01 13:12:57
- Alliecat
- ViP

- From: Riyadh
- Registered: 2009-10-13
- Posts: 7224
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
Julien wrote:
rich, sexy, prince and banned for 3 days
LOL! You guys are so funny lately! 
Alliecat
=^.^=
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#212 2012-04-01 13:19:58
- wilson_derry
- SEO

- From: Bombay
- Registered: 2011-07-16
- Posts: 1585
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
Alliecat wrote:
Julien wrote:
rich, sexy, prince and banned for 3 days
LOL! You guys are so funny lately!
New user blocked so early lol with duplicate posting
because he is rich, sexy and prince. lol
Last edited by wilson_derry (2012-04-01 13:21:01)
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#213 2012-04-01 13:20:30
#214 2012-04-01 13:26:07
- wilson_derry
- SEO

- From: Bombay
- Registered: 2011-07-16
- Posts: 1585
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
saimans wrote:
May be He is new and desparate to find good friends. Happens in the early days of life @ KSA !!!
May be his aggressive for posting duplicate post..so anyhow welcome to expat blog. 
Maybe no one gave him a warm welcome so the reason he was posting all over 
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#215 2012-04-02 13:20:38
- Mona2012
- Locals
- From: Dammam
- Registered: 2012-03-30
- Posts: 3
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
juanfranlopez wrote:
Hi Desertgirl,
I do not know what you mean by that "something" that draws people back to Saudi. I came to this weird country 3 months ago and honestly this place is not a big deal. I have lived in Germany, Mexico and South Africa and this country is by far the most difficult to get used to. And not rewarding. In fact, I would say that I am about to die of boredom. Yes, my friends, one thing I have learned by heart is that it is possible to die of boredom. Let's enumerate some actual facts that any not-blind expat can easily apprehend:
- no alcohol: no beer, no wine, no spirituous drinks.
- no drugs: no marihuana
- no dating, no women of any kind (except your wife -santa esposa-)
- no pubs, no discos. no place to dance
- no cinemas
- no social life with saudies. No integration. I started to study arabic but stopped as soon as I realized that I will have no contact with saudies out of work environments. And in work environments English is enough.
- no Bibles here. No churches. Do you need to pray? Do it at home. Or become a Muslim. "Islam, the religion of Justice and Tolerance", I hear that every morning in Radio Riyadh. In Spain we have a wonderful saying: "tell me what you show off and I will tell you what you lack"
- 41 degrees celsius yesterday. And increasing. It'll reach 50 in July. Nice! I am looking forward it.
- you like sand? welcome to sand-storming-land. Feeling sand in your lungs is a nice sensation you cannot possibly miss.
I could follow on, but then I would have to talk about more private local customs, politics, religious affairs... and I prefer not doing that. This is not my home country and I do not have the right to critizise. Anyway, I wouldnt say that Freedom and Democracy are the main values you can find here.
However, trying to be positive I would say that there is a very good thing: you don pay taxes here and can save 80% of your salary.
Just waiting for the improvement of the economical situation in more "friendly" countries.
Best Regards,
juan
If you are in Riyadh it will be a little difficult ,but if you are in Eastern region, west ren it will be more interesting.
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#216 2012-05-06 13:00:30
- Somraj
- New member
- From: Mumbai
- Registered: 2012-01-30
- Posts: 9
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
for all your comments in this blog one also has to give the Saudis there due in providing opportunites to expats to work in their land.
you have to the respect the culture and follow the rules anywhere in the world you go
if it seems a little too harsh for westerners then they should avoid the land rather than reach there and complain about them
am from India and I feel every west asian nation have their own set of cultural sensibilities and they are essentially much more accomodative than a lot of other countries so to say
its just the way teach others to behave with you.....
when you are in Rome you should be like the romans
its their land, their culture....you contribute to their economy and get paid handsomely for it...
so if I were you...I would take it and accept it the way it is or leave it! simple!
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#217 2012-06-08 10:14:28
- gokhanTheConqueror
- Active member

- From: jeddah
- Registered: 2012-06-07
- Posts: 69
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
musicman wrote:
Alamographics, please note tpo ensure that all he software, esp Microsoft, on yr PC is licensed. They are checking for piracy at the airport now.
Are you serious?
How do they search what is inside of a notebook?
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#218 2012-06-12 10:13:27
- kossay2nd
- Member

- From: Manama
- Registered: 2012-06-11
- Posts: 13
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
life in Saudi is just fantastic
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#219 2012-07-01 00:58:29
- Kate713
- New member
- From: Bournemouth
- Registered: 2012-06-30
- Posts: 2
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
Hello!
Thinking of moving to Saudi and just wondering what to expect as a single British female? I'm hoping to teach English. Does anyone know any single women who have moved and are happy? This may sound ignorant, but can a female have a bank account? If anyone has any advice or is someone (or knows somebody) who moved to teach as a single female, please let me know, as I guess I will be pretty vulnerable and want to avoid scams
thank you!
Kate
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#220 2012-07-01 06:03:44
- saimans
- ViP

- From: RIYADH
- Registered: 2012-02-06
- Posts: 1576
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
Kate713 wrote:
Hello!
Thinking of moving to Saudi and just wondering what to expect as a single British female? I'm hoping to teach English. Does anyone know any single women who have moved and are happy? This may sound ignorant, but can a female have a bank account? If anyone has any advice or is someone (or knows somebody) who moved to teach as a single female, please let me know, as I guess I will be pretty vulnerable and want to avoid scamsthank you!
Kate
Take out some time, Go through the threads on this forum, the whole encylopedia is waiting for you !! 
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#221 2012-07-01 06:08:21
- Alliecat
- ViP

- From: Riyadh
- Registered: 2009-10-13
- Posts: 7224
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
@Kate713, as saimans has said, there's a mountain of information on this blog. Read through it to get the overview and then if you have specific questions, please do ask! 
Alliecat
=^.^=
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#222 2012-07-01 09:09:22
- Alliecat
- ViP

- From: Riyadh
- Registered: 2009-10-13
- Posts: 7224
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
kossay2nd wrote:
life in Saudi is just fantastic
Yep.. and that explains why you're in Bahrain, eh? 
Alliecat
=^.^=
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#223 2012-07-01 10:16:01
- nayah
- New member
- From: jubail royal commission
- Registered: 2011-07-30
- Posts: 9
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
I agree with Somraj,everyones aware what it's like here when it comes to certain restrictions if you feel you can't handle it,and that its going to be too much for you to handle then just don't come it's simple,rather than complain all the time and make unkind remarks about the religion. The truth is people want to work here knowing all the drawbacks for one reason MONEY,if you want to save for the future and not pay taxes this is the place,no one put a gun to anybodies head to apply for the job.
Yep there are many things here that are difficult to get used to and SOME people can be unfriendly,but at the end of the day weigh it up can you do it or are you going to be here constantly whining and cursing behind closed doors. It's up to you look at the positives and learn to deal with the negatives,focusing on the things you don't like will only make you miserable. Don't leave home if you know giving up things is hard for you,or being open to a different culture.
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#224 2012-07-01 10:49:16
- Alliecat
- ViP

- From: Riyadh
- Registered: 2009-10-13
- Posts: 7224
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
@nayah 
I've said much the same thing on many occasions!
Now this isn't to say I'd defending the bad employers, by any means, but they'd be bad employers no matter what the country.
Alliecat
=^.^=
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#225 2012-12-10 05:52:19
- olihular
- New member
- From: La Union
- Registered: 2012-12-10
- Posts: 1
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
will be working in Dammam soon...What are the do's and don'ts please thanks...
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#226 2012-12-10 13:56:32
- Alliecat
- ViP

- From: Riyadh
- Registered: 2009-10-13
- Posts: 7224
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
olihular wrote:
will be working in Dammam soon...What are the do's and don'ts please thanks...
Since Dammam is in Saudi Arabia, this *very* thread, "Do and don't in Saudi Arabia," will help you. Amazing, ain't it? 
Alliecat
=^.^=
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#227 2013-03-19 14:38:10
- Tema
- Member
- From: ewrwr
- Registered: 2013-03-19
- Posts: 10
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
juanfranlopez wrote:
Thank you for your good wishes. Yes, Saudi has proved to much for this poor guy...
One thing I liked a lot in Saudi is that women cannot drive. In my opinion this is a very wise ban: streets, roads, parking lots, alleys and highways are much safer in this way
juan
Lopez, are you Spanish? I speak Sapnish too. I live in U.S. and yes i hate driving. Hoghways are a pain in the back! I believe that driving is something that allowes you to have fun. Waisting your life in fun is a wise ban, true.
I think they have other means of ransportation. Do you?
Last edited by Tema (2013-03-19 14:39:55)
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#228 2013-03-19 20:30:03
- iddahashim
- Member

- From: Riyadh
- Registered: 2010-08-04
- Posts: 10
Re: Do and don't in Saudi Arabia
Hi all
I dont feel bored here and i enjoy living here.
I have few friend and also not all the time go out with them, once in 2 weeks time, coz most of my time i do revision.
Have nice stay here 
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