Job Discussion Forums

[jdl]

Saskatoon? Isn't that the berry from the Saskabush?

[SD BOY]

Sorry to spoil everyone's "Gee, Saudi isn't so bad after all" day, but, yes, indeed the Saudi authorities do issue warnings to their nationals embarking on trips to the United States.
At the facility where I worked, two junior officers were about to leave for Texas to complete a course. Before their departure the C.O. kindly explained to them that the reason Americans allowed dogs in the house was so wives could fornicate with them while the husbands were at work.
By the way, johnslat, what exactly is the crime rate in KSA as compared to the USA? Have they started publishing crime stats in the Saudi Gazette?

[Stephen Jones]

Thank you for disclosing your family history, SD Boy. Explains a lot.

[johnslat]

Dear SD Boy,
"Americans allowed dogs in the house was so wives could fornicate with them while the husbands were at work."
My goodness - how nasty and ignorant. I'm SO glad we don't do things such as that, say, for example, making jokes about how Saudi men use certain other animals (dogs being in short supply) for the same purpose.
As for the so-called "crime statistics", well, a web search will turn up some figures:

http://www.nationmaster.com/country/sa-saudi-arabia/cri-crime

http://web.archive.org/web/20030605165622/www.interpol.int/Public/Statistics/ICS/2000/saudiarabia2000.pdf

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1012.html

But I place about as much faith in such government-released stats as I do in, say, those released by the USA government.
I think, though, if you were able to survey ex-pats in the Kingdom, many/most of them would likely admit to FEELING safer and more secure there than in most major urban areas in the USA. Whether that feeling is justified is, I suppose, a matter of opinion.
Are you in the Kingdom, SD Boy? If so, may I extend my sympathies. It's sad to see someone trapped (I guess you MUST be trapped if you're in a place you dislike so very much) and unable to escape.
Regards,
John