Job Discussion Forums

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

I was wondering if any of the posters here went to any of their home country embassy events. I'm sure that. Would at least give some a reprieve from the day to day grind that is KSA. If so, I would love to her about the kind of events and how regular they are.

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

I was in this part of the world for most of 15+ years and only once... in one country... did the US embassy lower itself to inviting mere TEFL teachers to any of their social activities.

One year I was around over July 4 and everyone was welcome to their activities, but normally we are as far as possible from the Gulf in July...

Other countries may be more welcoming to their overseas citizens that the US...

VS

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 4:50 am Post subject:

Plenty of US embassy events in Riyadh and consular events in Khobar and Jeddah.

You just gotta' get out there and meet people to get on "the list."

ACS (american citizen services) also hosts softball events ++ in riyadh with "real" bbq. Wink

It's not difficult. You can get invites to other country's embassy functions as well.

I'd say the Hash Harriers are one of the easiest "ins" followed by compound parties.

best of luck.

myohmy · Joined: 31 Jul 2013 Posts: 119

So true. Just last night I was at a concert at the British Ambassadors residence and I have been to one at the Polish ambassador's as well. I am not a social butterfly and am not particularly good at networking, either.

myohmy · Joined: 31 Jul 2013 Posts: 119

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 5:33 am Post subject:

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

Good to know. Is 'meat party' euphemism for something. Also, what is a hash harrier?

CANDLES · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:28 am Post subject:

1) Yes.

2) Walking the trails up in the mountains.
Laughing

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:20 am Post subject:

CANDLES · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:28 am Post subject:

Rostom · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:50 am Post subject: Re: Embassy events

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 10:58 am Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 12:46 pm Post subject:

Dear Rostom,

"The other event is when the embassy contact you for a presidential vote or the celebration of the national/independence day!"

In 19 years, I was never contacted for a July 4th celebration (but then, I was mostly out of Saudi on summer holiday then) and most certainly NEVER for a presidential election.

In fact, I had to pay for a taxi to get out there and back and I had to pay for FedEx to send in my absentee ballot every time I voted. The embassy was absolutely useless.

Regards,
John

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

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

His Excellency Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia invariably left me off the invitation list. My reputation may have preceded me and I was in Jeddah when the Embassies were still located there !