Job Discussion Forums

[desert_traveller]

as i am just gearing myself up for my grand return to the kingdom, i thought we could share a few less obvious things that we like about the kingdom. yeah yeah, money, we all know that, moderate workload etc, but i also liked

+ cheap, homestyle, freshly prepared proper meals of outstanding quality and quantity from smaller asian and african restaurants. i like my stomach

+ space. i am from a country that has seemingly run out of space. there is so much space in the ksa. and it is easy to get out of town, find a quiet spot and relax. driving 200km without seeing a house was always an experience to me

+ driving. say whatever you want, driving there thrilled me so much that after a while it became one of our top entertainments just to go out to the roads and drive around. better than any action movie or comedy on tv and totally real

+ weather. can get hot, yeah, but i like that. no fear of getting cold (apart from a few days in the winter). clothing problems solved. can wear slippers 10 or 11 months a year. isnt that fantastic?

+ lack of (images of) brazenly dressed women everywhere. say whatever you want, i believe on the long term it has a good effect on men. have some peace of mind. i love women who dress modestly. before you ask, i am non-muslim, non-retired, totally straight and a great admirer of the female form

etc

[scot47]

KSA is a well-kept secret. I hope it stays that way.

[Mia Xanthi]

I agree with you, especially about the modestly dressed women. After just a short time at home this summer, I am sick of seeing both males and females walking around with their underwear sticking out. It is nice to see clothing with color again, but most people in the US just do not have bodies so attractive that they should be constantly on display.

Oddly enough, I miss wearing the abaya, too. It is strange to feel so exposed again. The abaya is a pain during the hot months, but most of the year it is a very convenient garment to have on hand.

I agree with desert traveler and scot 47 - there are a lot of good things about Saudi Arabia, if people can just work through the hostility engendered by the culture shock.

[johnslat]

Dear desert_traveller,
Wow - a refreshing point of view. My only quibble (purely subjective, mind you) would be that happy might be a tad too strong.
But I was almost always content.
Regards,
John

[007]

[desert_traveller]

[scot47]

The naughty numerical is teasing you. He wishes to display the fact that unlike many native speakers he knows the difference between 'piece' and 'peace'.

He is, in short, showung off.

[spiral78]

I'm sure 007's also more comfortable in his lightweight, summer abayah, too, and therefore qualified to give advice on the issue:)

[sheikh radlinrol]

[Cleopatra]

Agree with the general tone of the OP: I'll be the first to say that KSA is most definately not for everybody (and that everybody is not for KSA!) but provided you have the 'right' personality, life style and expectations, KSA can be a perfectly pleasant place to live and work.

[sheikh radlinrol]

[sheikh radlinrol]

[007]

[Mark100]

I was relatively happy in KSA and so were many others that i worked with but everyone i met or knew was always in a big hurry to get to the airport come holiday time or end of contract.

Even those that had been in KSA 20 plus years with lots of friends and a life well entrenced never lingered when it came time for the final exit.

There is always a gnawing feeling when in Saudi that you would rather be somewhere else.

[Cleopatra]