Job Discussion Forums

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

Don't less the negative sorts worry you a bit.

Carry on with confidence and positivity and as if you were in Kansas.

johnslat · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:32 pm Post subject:

Dear desultude,

"Carry on with confidence and positivity and as if you were in Kansas."

Well, that DID work for Dorothy.

Regards,
John

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

johnslat · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:39 pm Post subject:

Dear desultude,
Yup, you can get courage, wisdom, and "heart there."

Of course, you can get all those anywhere you may be if you know where to look.

Regards,
John

trapezius · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject:

1) Yes, you can swim any time of the day or night, but not on public beaches. You may go into the sea on a public beach with your abaya on, and you WILL see this! There are some private beaches/resorts that you can enter with a fee (SR. 60-80 per visit, or you can get a yearly pass if you plan to go often) and inside those beaches, women can swim and stroll around in a bikini if they wish (without an abaya over the bikini Laughing

). And yes, you can snorkel or dive or sunbathe there.

2) You can go to any shop or mall or market alone, many women do it, Saudi, Arab, and non-Arab. The morality police can't do anything to you as long as you are adequately covered (and you will find out what 'adequate' is once you are here and have gone out a few times to different places and observed other women). Yes, men in public and salesmen WILL look at you if you are white/blond/young/pretty/fashionable, and definitely if you fit 2 or more of those adjectives! However, they can look all they want... it doesn't faze any of the women here. I wouldn't recommend walking the streets, though, as that would probably lead to young Saudi males tailing you in their cars and honking their horns at you and asking you to get in! You can walk the streets in Balad (old town), though, as that area is one large open air bazaar.

3) You can exchange a few pleasantries with a male colleague if you run in to one in a shop or in a mall, but don't walk out with him in public on to the streets, or stroll in to a cafe or restaurant with him inside (or outside) a mall. Just exchange and then part.

4) You can even wear flip flops in public if you wish, with most of your feet showing Smile

dareva · Joined: 25 Aug 2009 Posts: 74 Location: almost there...

Thanks,
that's helpful (and reassuring information)...cause i hate socks and I get withdrawals if I dont swim - I'll pack my bikins!...but I gotta swim in my abaya -at least once!... Wink

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

I can very much relate to all the questions that Dareva is asking but I know the answer to some already - no mingling with males, other than your official husband or the Muttawa will raise more than one issue, on the other questions, please NCTBA or anyone else could you please give us your opinion ?

Remember some of us do not understand some American or British slang, ok Smile

Thanks a bunch

Linda

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject:

Dear Linda467,
With great accuracy and in considerable detail, Trapezius has already answered all the questions that were raised, I believe.
Do you have any others?
Regards,
John

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

Yes, absolutely right, just missed his post

Thank you very much, Muchas Gracias, Merci Beaucoup, Vielen Danke

Suckram !

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:08 pm Post subject:

Dear Linda467,

"Suckram !"

Is that a variation on "Shukran" or is it the imperative?

Regards,
John

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

sounds kinda naughty to me... Shocked

VS

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

John, you�re probably right my Arabic is spoken of something 20 + years so I guess my spelling leaves a lot to be desired Embarassed

I have been trying to get a few classes to help me remember but have been too busy sorting things out and I�m not sure at this point if I will even remember the numbers, but planning on getting a few classes there at least to get me by bargaining Smile

Regards,

Linda

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject:

Dear Linda467,
The reason I mentioned it is that it would probably not be advisable to tell any English-speaking Saudi to

"Suck ram."
Very Happy

Regards,
John

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject:

The not "mingling with males" thing is deceptive. I actually mingled with Western males all the time in KSA. On a compound it is of course no problem, but it was also possible to have mixed gender dinners at places like Chili's. Male colleagues gave me rides all the time, and there was no difficulty. At least in the Eastern Province, it was no big problem, especially if you were in a group.

I think the big problem would be mixing with Saudi males. Now that would get you into trouble very quickly. Shocked

Suck ram, y'all! Very Happy

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:46 pm Post subject: