Job Discussion Forums

[Grendal]

Here is the almost all informed thread where you can share experiences and read about the perils of the desert. In some ways it may be the thread to let off steam and/or vent. You can choose whatever you�re pissed about and have some very experienced Expats calm you down or maybe even brush you off.

I guess I'll start with my own little satisfying story. I really like the privacy that I have there. I mean I like it because I am with my wife and we just do our own thing and the outside world, other than work, don't mean nothin. We drink but we are social drinkers, so the lack of alcohol doesn't bother us. The internet, satellite TV, hundreds of DVDs and our Playstation III keep us pretty much entertained at home. When we get bored we go out and shop or go to a restaurant and are rushing to get back home because it's so hot and we also have had enough of Saudi interaction and actually prefer being bored at home rather than interact with the outside world.

I don't know of any other country that we do this in. We do go out to see the sites and enjoy the company of our native Saudi friends, but we always enjoy it the most when we hear the door close behind us as we enter our house. We have our cat too and he really makes all the difference for us. We complain to him because he's such a good listener and he never rejects our love and returns it likewise.

Cheers

Grendal

[johnslat]

Dear Grendal,
Congratulations - it sounds like you join that relatively small circle: those of us who actually were/are content in the Kingdom.
But this part puzzled me:
"I don't know of any other country that we do this in."
Your description (except for the part about "native Saudi friends" sounds very much like the life my wife and I lead here in Santa Fe, NM.
Regards,
John

[Grendal]

Well we find ourselves more outgoing in other countries John.

Grendal

[johnslat]

Dear Grendal,
Ah, but there's no place like home (clicking heels three times.)
Regards,
John

[desultude]

KSA for Dummies

It sure is.

[rigel]

[Bradt]

[Markemark]

This is a smart, realistic, balanced post written by a survivor. I think it's one of the best I have ever read and it's got real experience behind it.
I don't think Grendal is a native speaker, but if he were, seal your wisdom by blowing the 'saudi friends,' out of the airlock.
That we don't need, thanks, but the cat, yes, cats are lovely.

[Stephen Jones]

You can live as you are in Saudi anywhere; it's just there are more distractions.

I realized Saudi was OK for me when I looked at what I did on holiday and found it was the same as what I did in Saudi except accompanied by loads of beer bottles.

[Grendal]

You're right Markemark. I am not a native speaker. Middle English is my mother tongue.

Grendal

[Sheikh Ago]

Grendal wrote.."Well we find ourselves more outgoing in other countries John. "

"We have our cat too and he really makes all the difference for us. We complain to him because he's such a good listener and he never rejects our love and returns it likewise."

The first observation is SO true....

And yes, every human needs an animal about to mind them. Especially one who will talk to them sensibly...

ASL meets ESL....in KSA!

This thread is an oasis of encouragement...

Thanks folks....

[Grendal]

All of you going to Qassim University for the first time or it's the first time in Buraydah raise your hands.

I think the apocalyptic doom and gloom preaching about Qassim province is too much. Let us be prepared and let us be informed, I agree that there should be experienced input for us first timers in Qassim.

What about people that have worked in Saudia before but have not worked in Qassim province to date? Will it be just as bad as a hell hole for them as it would be for the wet behind the ears Saudi rookies?

Grendal

[johnslat]

Dear Grendal,
"What about people that have worked in Saudia before but have not worked in Qassim province to date? Will it be just as bad as a hell hole for them as it would be for the green behind the ears Saudi rookies?"

Having worked in both Jeddah and Riyadh, may I give you my thoughts?
Riyadh is different from Jeddah, perhaps in much the same way and to a similar degree as (I imagine) Qassim is to Riyadh.
So, I expect that those who have worked in other (more "liberal") places in Saudi would find Qassim even worse since they would know from experience that there ARE more congenial places to live and work in the Kingdom.
Regards,
John

[InterRick]

Dear john,

Would you (or anyone else) mind expounding a bit upon the Riyadh vs. Jeddah thing?

I (non-muslim newbie) may be getting my choice.

Thanks,

Inter

[johnslat]

Dear InterRick,
Jeddah, being on the coast and having had centuries of interaction with "non-Saudis" (though usually Muslims performing Hajj) tends to be less xenophobic, less insular, and more (relatively speaking) "liberal" (in having fewer citizens who are adamant about everyone following the strict Wahhabi interpretation of the Quran) than Riyadh, which is in the center of the country and tends to have more citizens who are more "suspicious" of foreigners.
Think of it this way (if you're from the USA and are familiar with the places I'm about to mention); it's roughly similar to the experience a Saudi would have were he to move to New York City (Jeddah) or Joplin, Missouri (Riyadh.)
Now Riyadh has become more "cosmopolitan" over the years. All the embassies are located there now and there are many compounds. It's very possible to pursue an active social life there (though having a car is a BIG help in doing so.)
Qassim, on the other hand, is "the sticks", probably a lot like Riyadh was, say, fifty years ago. Saudis there would tend to be more xenophobic, insular, and less tolerant of any deviations from what they consider to be the correct interpretation of Islam. Having a social life there would be more difficult than it would be in Riyadh today and much more difficult than it would be in Jeddah.
Regards,
John