Job Discussion Forums

spunkmonkey · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 93

I am curious about the type of social life one can enjoy working in Saudi.

Without access to a beer and all the eye-candy being covered up, what si there to do?

sugardaddy22 · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Al Ain

Wait for a your exit/re-entry visa and go to Bahrain, go to Bahrain, go to Bahrain...with any luck you will be posted near "the Gates of Heaven" ie. the Kind Fahd Causeway.

mouse5 · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 142

spunkmonkey · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 93

If there really isn't anything to do, why do people choose to teach in Saudi (with the exception of the money - which doesn't seem to be such an incentive when compared to the lifetyle choices detailed above)?

Is this all there really is?

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:13 am Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

johnslat · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:03 pm Post subject:

Dear sugardaddy22,

"Wait for a your exit/re-entry visa and go to Bahrain, go to Bahrain, go to Bahrain...with any luck you will be posted near "the Gates of Heaven" ie. the Kind Fahd Causeway."

Ah, but will "the Gates of Heaven" soon be locked?

June 9, 2009

MANAMA, Bahrain -- Every weekend, bumper-to-bumper traffic blocks the causeway into this small island nation as visitors from nearby Saudi Arabia flock to delights unavailable at home: movie theaters, bars and, for some, commercial sex.

With few other attractions, Bahrain's booming tourism industry thrives on the island's reputation as a freewheeling oasis just a short drive from major Saudi cities. Bahrain has little oil of its own; tourism, mostly by the four million Saudis who cross the causeway each year, accounts for a tenth of its economy.

All of this is endangered, as Bahraini legislators press to scrap the country's drinking laws -- currently the most liberal in the Persian Gulf -- and to impose near-total prohibition."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124450701841896319.html

Answer: Probably not - who kills the goose that lays the golden eggs?

spunkmonkey · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 93

Thank you. I have a clearer picture now.

I was wondering about commercial gyms in Saudi. Are they plentiful and affordable?

Also, is the internet heavily censored/restricted?

Thank you for your patience regarding my questions.

S&M

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 1:26 pm Post subject:

Plenty of gyms, almost always gender segregated. Cost, as elsewhere depends on facilities available. If you are lucky, good sports facilities may be available for free in your housing and/or place of work.

AS for the internet, there have been plenty of discussions on this subject before. Basically, unless you want to surf porn or dissident Arabic news sites, you should barely notice any censorship.

Noor · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 152

Regarding internet censorship, I wonder if anyone here has experience using VPN in Saudi and wouldn't mind commenting on it here?

mistral · Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Herat Afghanistan

I recall there are plenty of private gyms. You can set up your own satellite (uncensored) internet connection. TDSL - much slower but cheaper - is censored but you can get hold of software to bypass the God squad blocked websites.

sugardaddy22 · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Al Ain

Social life in Saudi?

Hmmm, plan insurrections? .... Stand up to brute authoritarianism...

Or, just do what everybody else does in Saudi.
For instance..........Go shopping at Ikea, stare blankly into space, go shopping at Carrefour,..plan your escape, go shoppiing at Carrefour.... Did I mention staring blankly into space?

bollidarling · Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 27 Location: UK

I have found opportunities for socialising in Saudi in abundance! Yes you have to be assertive and get on lists but within two weeks of living in Riyadh I found myself at a party or Embassy function at least twice a week and actually had to turn down invitations. Alcohol is in abundance although some of it seriously bad! Every Wednesday and Thursday night there are bands playing, people ancing, an abundance of booze AND after parties which don't stop till the sun comes up.. and then its time for bacon and eggs for breakfast - and on one occasion a bbq with a pig on a spit.

Don't believe what you read - its all underground - Saudi is one of the most hypocrital countries on earth (look out for the driver of a pink Hummer - a female from the Royal Family) ... and of course go to Bahrain for a change every now and then Smile

And by the way I am a single female over 40!

johnslat · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

Dear bollidarling,
I agree - I've always told people that a full social life is quite possible in Saudi, but you have to actively pursue it: establish and maintain contacts.

I never felt the need for much "social activity", but some of my colleagues were out every weekend and sometimes during the week at night.

Of course, having a car helps a lot, too.

Regards,
John

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:11 pm Post subject:

Yawn...

NCTBA Mr. Green