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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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 Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:25 am Post subject: |
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| Here in Riyadh, I have heard occasional stories of men being refused entry to shopping centres because they were wearing shorts. The general consensus among men here is that wearing shorts -even long shorts - in public is not a good idea. You probably won't be reprimanded by the mutawween, and getting shut out of shopping centres is probably the exception rather than the rule, but you will attract a lot of disapproving stares. Of course, that may not bother you... |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:55 am Post subject: |
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What's wrong with a track suit if you're running?
To get on to the Aramco compound you need somebody to vouch for you. You go through one checkpoint to the visitors center, and give the telephone number of your host to the security guard behind the counter. He will then call your host.
With regard to KFUPM housing, it suffers from the Saudi idea that single people aren't quite human. If you're married it's OK. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:15 am Post subject: |
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| KFUPM housing is okay. I have lived in much worse ! West Africa, Thailand, the Gorbals. |
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ghost
Joined: 30 Jan 2003
Posts: 1693
Location: Saudi Arabia
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject: re |
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| Quote: |
| What's wrong with a track suit if you're running? |
Nothing wrong with a tracksuit if just doing a gentle jog, but for competitive runners who do time trials and faster pace running, nothing compares to wearing shorts - comfort and efficiency to the max.
Yes, respecting the host country is important. In Indonesia in March, it was embarrassing to witness the drunken displays of permanent expats in the city of Yogyakarta which has become something of a mecca for impoverished ex pats wishing to live a cheap and vice filled life. The Indonesians, to their credit, just ignored the behaviour and got on with business - after all the expats pumped a lot of money into those restaurants and watering holes.
KFUPM housing, I understand will be small, and will be unlikely to match the nice apartment I possessed in Korea. But small is functional and the overall benefits package should be adequate.
A visit to Ottawa to have my Canadian degrees validated was interesting. Ottawa is a very liveable city, and seems almost provincial and unsophisticated compared with Montreal. Certainly, the traffic density is low, and the drivers are much more civilized compared with Quebecers who have the dubious distinction of being the worst in Canada.
If the climate were not so frigid in winter, it would be a good city to live in. Much easier to bike around, and plenty of nature and the Rideau canal. Many cultural activities also, make it a good city. Two Universities (U. of Ottawa and Carleton Univ.) also give educational opportunities.
Canadian Government jobs also available, but the competition must be fierce, as the benefits of working for Canadian Government are good. Even the security guards make close to $20 an hour, which is not bad, considering the output.
Ghost |
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Griff-James
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 171
Location: A place full of 18 year olds and endless ale. Not not this time.
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| Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Who provides the best housing in Saudi? |
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also in saudi
Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 137
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| Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Jadawel in Dhahran is acceptable. |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:16 am Post subject: |
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| Griff-James wrote: |
| Who provides the best housing in Saudi? |
This a difficult question to answer...as what are the criteria ..to assess/ measure what is considered "best" housing? What is one person's dream place could be another's shanty. Location could be a factor if it is very far away from your work place or away from shopping amenities even if it was a beautiful place could infact be problematic. Or is it an older less appealing place, but located close to work and shopping etc.
I think people have varying standards of what they consider to be good housing...so the question is quite difficult to answer.
To say housing is "acceptable"...is also quite vague...as this is dependant upon the person's criteria for what is deemed acceptable.
So ...not very helpful is it...  |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:43 am Post subject: |
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"Jadawel" ie MD22 in Dhahran is a nice compound. Only about 10 percent of the houses are occupied though.The last I herard Macdonnel-Douglas (ie MD) were not hiring English teachers.
Some of the people who were with them are working elsewhere in Eastern Province. |
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Imdramayu
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Posts: 394
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:21 am Post subject: Thob-wearing |
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I tried wearing a thob in Toronto (Canada) but it got odd stares. Even with a big, cosmopolitan city like Toronto, people are shocked to see such a thing. They are so comfortable to walk in (not to run in or drive in though).
I look forward to the long drives to camp sites. Do many expats go camping in the deserts in KSA? |
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desert_traveller
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 335
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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| jadawel aka md22 is the one built on a landfill site, halfway between khobar and dammam by the coastal road, near rakah? right on the 'beach'? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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| With lots of fresh sewage pumped straight into the bay. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:12 am Post subject: |
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| ..........and the resulting odours. Well, considering the provenance maybe "odors" would be more appropriate ! |
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MEJobber
Joined: 02 Nov 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:27 am Post subject: |
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| Cleopatra wrote: |
| Here in Riyadh, I have heard occasional stories of men being refused entry to shopping centres because they were wearing shorts. The general consensus among men here is that wearing shorts -even long shorts - in public is not a good idea. You probably won't be reprimanded by the mutawween, and getting shut out of shopping centres is probably the exception rather than the rule, but you will attract a lot of disapproving stares. Of course, that may not bother you... |
Single/solo males are refused/ not allowed to enter shopping centers alone, even if you are wearing full costume  and a head gear...but again, think first how good looking you legs are ... 
Saudis wont even look at any foreigners, dont worry about what you wear..they know who you are and where you come from...
while no one to attarct, whats the point of wearing what you would normally wear on the beach in Miami..
the weather in RKSA is not that harsh during contract term.. |
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