| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
|
 Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:05 am Post subject: Mahram |
 |
|
What is the position regarding single women needing a Mahram? (especially for littleoldladies over 50). If required, what is their role? How restrictive is life for women? I have many years experience of Iran where I got trapped ( refusal of exit visa by family). That's another story.
Any personal experiences most welcomed. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
The answer to your first question is easy: You do not need a mahram. There are thousands of single women living and working in KSA. The only time you may need a 'male escort' is when arriving in the airport from abroad. It's best to arrange a (male Saudi) representative from your employes to pick you up at the airport, because you may not be allowed to leave without one. However, this rule (if indeed it is one) is enforced rather haphazardly these days.
The answer to yoru second question is more complicated, as so much depends on your personl expectations, perceptions and lifestyle. Speaking for myself as a single woman, all I can say is that life here is not as restrictive as I had feared, and to be hoenst there is not much I cannot do here simply becasue I am a woman. Then again, I don't drive (anywhere), don't mind the abaya and don't feel the need to go partying every weekend. Other people you speak to may have different responses. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks Cleopatra. That answer is perfect. I am like you - no parties, used to covering and for my part, a quiet, self contained soul. You have put my mind at ease. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sheikh radlinrol
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 1222
Location: Spain
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: Mahram |
|
|
| littleoldlady wrote: |
What is the position regarding single women needing a Mahram? (especially for littleoldladies over 50). If required, what is their role? How restrictive is life for women? I have many years experience of Iran where I got trapped ( refusal of exit visa by family). That's another story.
Any personal experiences most welcomed. |
Little old lady.
I am a man (sorry). Near my compound in Riyadh there was an excellent Chinese restaurant which proclaimed ''No woman alone allowed''. In Malaz there was a fast food restaurant that warned unaccompanied ladies that they would not be admitted. This is Saudi. Enjoy.
BTW, I'd love to hear your story of being trapped in Iran. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| There are loads of restaurants that don't have a family section as Sheikh has pointed out. On the other hand there are loads that do (particuarly the better ones). You just look for a restaurant that has a family section sign. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dear littleoldlady,
I "got trapped" in Iran myself - in 1979. It was revolting (but I love the country and the people.)
Regards,
John |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| There are loads of restaurants that don't have a family section as Sheikh has pointed out. |
I wouldn't say there are 'loads' such restaruants but there are a few, and the number gets smaller every year. Almost all of the restaruants you are likely to want to visit have a family section. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
John
If would like like to PM me we can share stories. I was trapped in 1979 - revolution - but more frightening was when my husband ( ex) said, "We are not leaving in 1993." Hope no-one is KSA prevents me from leaving when required. I still have nightmares about it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SD BOY
Joined: 29 Mar 2009
Posts: 60
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
Honey, if you are moving to KSA...the nightmare is just beginning.
Certain disingenuous contributors to this site have painted a rosy picture of the place...to justify-to themselves-their continued presence there, I imagine.
Trust me, the Kingdom is hell for Little Old Ladies..and everyone else, with the eternal exception of goats and fanatics.
If you are really determined to return to the Persian Gulf, check out the UAE page...someone was nice enough to print the names of all the places that hire English teachers. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
The Persian Gulf ? I see niow how SD Boy annoyed his hosts when he was in the KofSA.
If you get a reasonable employer this place can be okay. Better than living on welfare in South Dakota. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| SD Boy = Prodigy? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SD BOY
Joined: 29 Mar 2009
Posts: 60
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, the Persian Gulf, indeed. It has been known by that name in the West since the time of Ptolemy.
"Living in Saudi is better than living in South Dakota on welfare...."
First of all, I wonder how many Sri Lankans in Riyadh would agree with that statement.
Secondly, if those are your only choices in life, buddy..well...
This woman has legitimate concerns about being questioned, arrested, deported, and generally harassed etc. in KSA.
Can you honestly blame her? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Cleopatra wrote: |
| SD Boy = Prodigy? |
I don't think so. He does share Mr P's dislike of Saudi (not uncommon as many left KSA unhappy with the place) and two of the female posters here who shall remain nameless, but doesn't quite seem to share the obsession. I'd say that Scot47's assumption of South Dakota is probably wrong too. 
I agree that our littleoldlady has asked a legitimate question based on her experiences in the past. While Cleo doesn't feel too restricted, I didn't like at all the situation of needing 'permission' to leave a country as happened for the year that I was with Kuwait U. I would never have put myself under those restrictions again.
I also agree that unless this poster has a particular reason to want to work in Saudi, she should probably extend her search to the rest of the Gulf where one doesn't need to worry about restrictions.
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Thank you to everyone who has kindly replied. Whatever decision I might make using intelligence, facts etc. will not be overridden by my gut instinct - which is now beginning to kick in. I don't have any real reason to choose KSA other than an interesting offer in a pleasant climate. I have been offered a post in Oman and am going to look into that more carefully. All thoughts gratefully received. I am a littleoldlady who is still vulnerable after 25 years. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| He does share Mr P's dislike of Saudi (not uncommon as many left KSA unhappy with the place) |
Lots of people leave lots of countries unhappy, but they don't feel the need to spend lots of time venting their bitterness on ESL forums long after they've left. I've spent time in countries I don't care to return to, but I have better things to do than go on the internet telling strangers how awful said countries are.
| Quote: |
| While Cleo doesn't feel too restricted, I didn't like at all the situation of needing 'permission' to leave a country as happened for the year that I was with Kuwait U. |
Firstly, I did say that my comments were based on personal experience, and that others would of course feel differently. Secondly, the OP asked specifically about restrictions placed on women in KSA, and the requirement to have an exit visa applies to all expats, male and female. Thirdly, it sounds rather worse than it is. Most (not all) employers these days allow employees to keep their passports and to get multiple exit-reentry visas which are valid for 6 months. In these cases, you would only need to make two visa applications a year and can come and go without needing to request any further 'permission'.
So, while the exit visa requirement can be an extra pain and expense, it is not the big deal some are making it out to be. The chances of a "Western" expat being 'trapped" in the Kingdom are really very small. If it bothers you, make sure you aks your potential employers if they do issue multiple exit visas and allow their staff to hold on to their passports. If the answer to either or both questions is 'no' then you might want to reconsider.
| Quote: |
| an interesting offer in a pleasant climate. |
Interesting offer? Maybe. Pleasant climate? Well, for 3 or 4 months of the year, perhaps. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
