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EnglishDoYouSpeakIt · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 151 Location: Saudi Arabia

This board really never fails to surprise me. Why would this be a bad place to ask these questions? It would seem to be a perfect place, until you realize how crotchety so many members are.

Some real answers:

If you have a marriage license you can live together. There have been 'couples' who came with these licenses and lived together. Obviously fibbing on these is all kinds of screwy, especially for your relationship.

If you do live apart, you can still spend time together outside. Mutawwa are not out checking every couple they see to make sure they are married. Especially westerners. It's literally not anything worth worrying about. This pertains to Riyadh, as that is where I have the most experience, but again, not an issue.

Compounds are too expensive unless the company pays for it, generally. And TBH I'd feel more safe in an apartment, look at what's been targeted mostly in the last decade.

Girls can wear sandals, certainly. This is Arabia, everyone wears sandals. trousers are fine, anything is fine under the abaya, from pajamas to jeans, but make sure they are like peddle pushers (is that the term) or lower. No Abayas in classrooms.

Apply and see. This website always has new listings for teachers. It's tough to be a direct hire without an MA, but plenty of teachers have been coming with BA and Celta.

Again, sorry about the board. The problem is the general attitude scares away most decent people, but luckily some of us can bear it. A decent metaphor for KSA.

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

EnglishDoYouSpeakIt · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 151 Location: Saudi Arabia

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Okay so you didn't come right out and SAY it, but you did suggest it. Making light of the fact that unmarried people will not have any problems out and about is really irresponsible at best, since it is contary to the laws of the land and really only luck of the draw....yes, you take your chances. Better to just follow the laws, when in 'Rome do as the Romans do'.

BTW: Those little smilies are there to use, to convey emotions, if they weren't meant to be used, then they wouldn't be available... Cool

Back at you then...Yes, I agree we are entiled to our opinions. Too bad we don't all act according to your high standards of conduct, what a boring idea, so rein in your spiteful diatribe. Funny how you are doing exactly what you don't want others to do. Life in reality is hard enough to communicate honestly and yes on the internet we are much more free to be anyway we like. We have moderators for those people who lose it emotionally or veer off topic...perhaps a little like what were doing now.... Wink

johnslat · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:02 pm Post subject:

Dear EnglishDoYouSpeakIt,

"In my experience Mutawwa do not bother western couples. And if they do the conversation would go like this: Mutawwa: Married? Man: Yes."

In my experience. they darn well do "bother Western couples", and the conversation involves your producing a copy of your marriage license (an Arabic translation is preferable) or you get hauled off.

Does it happen often? No. Does it happen? Most definitely, yes.

Just where were/are you in Saudi?

Of course I was there for only nineteen years, so maybe my experience isn't typical.

Regards,
John