Job Discussion Forums

GB_ME · Joined: 28 Apr 2013 Posts: 9

Thanks for your help.

I appreciate the honesty! I realise it will take some adjusting to and I'm under no illusions that I'll have the same lifestyle as I do here in the UK....I'm ready for the challenge of moving to KSA!

Thanks for the advice!

Wish me luck!

AbeCross · Joined: 21 Jun 2012 Posts: 191

Jeddah has terrible traffic and is very congested and polluted. The local beaches are not very good. There are some good beaches farther away but they often have admission fees. Yes, the city is a bit more liberal, and many women do not cover their faces. But Jeddah is still part of Saudi Arabia, so expats here share many of the same frustrations that other expats experience elsewhere in KSA.

AbeCross · Joined: 21 Jun 2012 Posts: 191

"Social life with colleagues from the same university you work in can be tricky here in Saudi Arabia. Some fortune seekers will use what you have shared with them in your "social get togethers" against you, either to gain brownie points for pointing out something negative about you or to attain your job by getting you demoted or fired. We've been burned twice here in Saudi by these "social get togethers" so we may be an extreme case. However, other than that its all peachy here. "

Very true! Social events with co-workers are fraught with dangers of this sort.
You could avoid talking about work at these events. However, it might very well be that work is the only thing you have in common, so it is easier said than done!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

When I arrived at KFUPM in 2003, social life was still dominated by the Sidiki-seven. In my naivete I went to a party laid on for the teachers. It degenerated into a drunken brawl worse than anything I had seen in my student days. I might add that all of the "Sidiki-seven" have now departed, if not from Planet Terra, then from KSA.

Social life there now seems to revolve around IKEA, just outside the gates of KFUPM, where you get free coffee until 10am.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

rollingk · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 212

True, it's not only Saudi, but is usually a bit worse in Saudi. There's a dearth of stimuli here so those hapless individuals who identify so much with their sadly uncertain jobs do a variety of whacked out, ugly crap. They're often those uber-professional types. The unlikeliness of such folk in such an environment should be a red flag to all.

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

The work place is for work. Smile , but not too smiley. Be friendly, but not too friendly. Be professional, but keep it inline with what is acceptable within your work environment Wink

Keep your head down and do the job that you signed up for. Avoid gossipy people. Do not be temped to join in any group that spends all their time complaining. Balance politeness with assertiveness. Keep your personal life personal and don't share too many details of what you're up to on your off time, especially if you are not following societies' norms.
I would try to establish friendships outside of work. If you are half way normal, you will eventually meet people outside of work. However, if you are sharing accommodation that may be more difficult to do. It isn't easy to live and work in KSA, but it doesn't have to be a torturous experience either.
Online chat groups may be one way to meet people, but use common sense when meeting people from on-line sources. Sports and such activities are another way to make connections IE: tennis...football...bowling...cricket, etc.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Avoid the whiners and naysayers !

GB_ME · Joined: 28 Apr 2013 Posts: 9

Thanks for your help guys.

I'm never really into gossiping or complaining about work anyway, so hopefully I'll be alright!!

Only a week for me to go now....will let you know how my social life develops!! Lol

gorkomi · Joined: 24 Aug 2009 Posts: 142

Hey, I've got a wild and crazy idea. How about getting out of your apartments and compounds, detaching from your "own kind" and striking up conversations with Saudis? I can't stand when they come to my country on their paid-for college degrees, and spend every night at Arab restaurants, walking around with a pack of Saudi friends speaking Arabic, and think that nightclubs are culture, while theatre (the kind with live people on a stage) is "not forrrr my taste". If you're gonna go to a country, even if it's 'just for cash'- well, darn it, see what's up. And that doesn't mean a squad of colleagues taking an excursion through to the desert for photos. Come on, people- live a little.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I assume that you are talking to your male colleagues?

VS

CANDLES · Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:42 pm Post subject:

Dear Gorkomi,

I wonder about you! You're bit 'gung-ho aren't you!

Try and get into a conversation with a female Saudi (am assuming you're a male) and then wait for the results.

As VS has pointed out we are assuming you're talking about 'males',no problems there.

For women, there is a minimal chance of befriending any Saudis! Rolling Eyes