Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:17 pm Post subject:

Dear Amenti,
"In defense . . ." ???????

Huh???? I must have missed something - where in this thread has Cleopatra been "attacked?"

" . . . she is one of the most independent women I know!!! Evil or Very Mad

"

I'm sure she is - which is something I consider to be an admirable quality and which I mentioned in my previous post:

"Quite true - there is no rule. However, in my experience, most of the ladies seemed to feel more "comfortable" going about accompanied when possible.
(I would suspect, though, that Cleopatra would not be one such.)"

Is THAT what you consider to be an attack??

Regards,
John

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

Actually, I don't think anything negative has been said on this thread about our friend, Cleo. And even if there had been, she is certainly capable of defending herself. Laughing

VS
(John & I seem to posting in tandem in the US time zones.)

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:11 pm Post subject:

Hi Amenti, and all my pals (yes, they exist, even on DAve's ESL!a

In response to the OP:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Cleo is COOL !

I Rub Ruchi · Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 45 Location: USA

From a male:

After being in Riyadh for a year, I have yet to see a city bus with a designated section for women. I really can't remember any woman on any city bus here.

I did take the VIP bus to Kobar and sat with a Palistinian woman, her nanny, and three small sons. On the return trip I sat with some nurses from the Philipines.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Buses in Jeddah have a designated area at the back for females. Separate doors. Separate but equal. Dunno about Riyadh.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:43 pm Post subject:

Well, I know that the city buses in Riyadh certainly used to have a designated, small area in the back for women. This could have changed, of course, but it's hard to see why it would (especially in Riyadh.)
I'll check with some people who are still there to see if I can find out whether the "separate compartments" still exist.
Regards,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:50 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject:

Dear Cleo,
Living fairly close to Batha as I did, I often used to hop on a city bus for the short ride down there.
Now I'm getting on in years, but I KNOW I recall that boarded-off, small women's section in the back. And, as I said, the ladies used to ride free since, of course, the driver couldn't go back there to collect the 2 SR.
But maybe it's changed now.
Regards,
John

P.S. After doing a little online research:

"An overview of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia also includes interesting tit-bits of information . . . Women should wear long clothes and ride in the separate women's section at the back of buses. "

http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/saudi-arabia/riyadh/riyadh-overview/index.html

Riyadh (but in 2001): "If she rides a city bus, she must always ride in the rear women's compartment. There is a buzzer in the back to signal a stop, but it may or may not work..."

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty sure it has changed, John. I have NEVER seen a woman on or boarding a bus in Riyadh (except the intercity ones). Anyway, even if women are allowed on these buses (which as far as I know they are not) I really don't think a newly arrived female teacher would want to use them.

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

The only people who use city buses in Riyadh (those ancient orange thingies spewing enough carbon monoxide to melt the planet) are male migrant workers, i.e. Bangladeshis etc, who would use any other form of transport if they could afford it.

Members of the 1,000-Club excepted, of course!! Very Happy

On the other hand, members of the super-elite 500-Club wouldn't be seen dead on them, as they'd prefer to walk. Just on principle, you understand! Twisted Evil

johnslat · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject:

Dear Bebsi,
I don't recall the SAPTCO buses' being orange. Has the color changed, too?
Regards,
John

reneebcc · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 60 Location: Georgia

Bebsi,

Could you explain the "1,000 Club". I've heard something about a living allowance but was vague. Does this mean a person can live off 1,000SAR a month? Is this from a male/female perspective. I suppose not having much to do in the Kingdom besides on Western compounds, one could have a low cost of living.