Job Discussion Forums

living&learning · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 245

Hello all! I'll keep this short.

I've lived in China, Taiwan and Thailand for the last five years, teaching.

I've decided it's time to move on and have a couple of job offers in Saudi.

Thing is, I'm single - in the other countries I mentioned finding a girlfriend wasn't a problem. But I get a sneaking suspicion it aint all that easy in KSA?

Please fill me in..

007 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: Single in Saudi

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

Assuming (?) that this is a serious post, let me say unequivocally that KSA is not a good place for a single male in search of female company. First off, (despite what a few dudes here or elsewhere might have you believe) the local women are 100% out of bounds. As for expat women, many of them are married, and certainly there are far fewer single expat women than there are men. In other words, it's very much a 'women's market'. Of course, strictly speaking, it's also illegal for unmarried men and women to be in each other's company, but so long as you're discreet and don't take unnecessary risks, this shouldn't be a big problem. Finding a woman to be 'indiscreet' with in the first place is likely to be a bigger challenge.

All of this may be a bit of a 'culture shock' for you coming from East Asia, and I'm not saying that it's impossible for you to find 'romance' here, but it will be much more of a challenge than in certain other parts of the world. If it's important for you to have constant female company (and it sounds as though it is) then you might want to think carefully about taking a job in KSA.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Bring your "girlfriend" with you. Just make sure that you get married first.

Like my students here I am a bit puzzled at 55-year-old Westerners who have a "girlfriend" I thought a "girlfriend" was what you had whern you were 15 years old.

Older men have mistresses or concubines.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Plenty of guys have girlfriends in KSA but it all depends on where u are and what your situation is as to how feasible it is.

If you live near Aramco there are plenty of single women, nurses and secretaries around the place.

If you live on a western compound you can bring guests in so woman can stay with you.

If you have multi exit reentry visa you can go to Bahrain and find a girlfriend for the weekend.

Everything is possible in KSA but you will be limited by where u live and work.

guty · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 365 Location: on holiday

007 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject:

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

living&learning · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 245

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject:

Dear living&learning,

"Perhaps I should find the partner, then head to Saudi in the future (with her)."

Certainly the best idea - except for this: you'd better choose a partner who will find living (and maybe working) in Saudi Arabia at least tolerable and at best an adventure.
Such women, at least in my experience (and I "went through" two wives in the Kingdom) are decidedly thin on the ground.

Regards,
John

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

A lot of marriages seem to dissolve in the magic kingdom.

It is not an easy place to sustain a relationship.

Still it is nice if you have a partner there it makes the time go by a bit easier.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject:

Back during my last stint in K.S.A. (Jeddah), I knew of this Western guy who was unashamed of having a Palestinian girlfriend...both were fine fellas! Laughing

NCTBA

trapezius · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject: Heads up

Dear trapezius,
Presumably that other .001% are the sort of women you could lose your head over.
Regards,
John

tvik · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 371 Location: here

how about boys that like boys?