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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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 Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Linda467 wrote: |
Rebecca,
As as woman you cannot drive in the Kingdom, you�ll get transportation to and from wherever you need to go so unfortunately we have to depend on someone else, I know I have been driving for over 31 years and love my car but, hey, that�s how it is.
Also I will not venture in a taxi by myself anywhere, not even in the capital, let alone anywhere else. |
Rebecca... this was my point. If you are using a name that matches your sex, you won't be driving in Saudi. Now if you go to any of the other Gulf countries, driving is not a problem. Buying a car was always one of the first things I did after arrival.
Linda... now you are being paranoid and if you are that afraid of Saudi, perhaps you shouldn't go.  Both expat and local women use taxis every day. With the same common sense a woman uses everywhere in the world, taxis are as safe there as anywhere... and safer than many places. If and when you arrive in Saudi, you will find that much of what "they" tell you is exaggeration and stereotyping.
VS |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Also I will not venture in a taxi by myself anywhere, not even in the capital, let alone anywhere else. |
I agree with VS. If you're that worried about your safety in KSA, perhaps you should not go. You seem to have already made up your mind that it is dangerous, which it isn't. I'm a single woman and have been regularly using taxis in KSA - often alone - for several years. I can honestly say I've never once had a serious problem. Nor have any of my female friends.
As 007 says, sometimes drivers will try to make 'small talk' with you as a way of testing your boundaries. However, if you're not interested, then just ignore the driver and he will quickly desist. As a general rule, it's best for single women to avoid Saudi drivers (though many of them are perfectly fine). Anyway, soon enough you should be able to find a regular driver, which is the best solution of all. |
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Mia Xanthi
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 955
Location: why is my heart still in the Middle East while the rest of me isn't?
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:41 am Post subject: |
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Don't be afraid to take a taxi in KSA. Just avoid taking random taxis whenever possible. As soon as you arrive, ask around among colleagues/expats for the number of a trusted and respected driver. You may find that the people you like the most in KSA are your trusted drivers. They will run errands for you and help out in all kinds of cultural situations. My own driver was worth his weight in gold, may God bless him.
If you cannot immediately find a number of a reliable driver, then use a taxi service with Indian drivers. They are very safe.
My only warning would be not to get into a random taxi at night alone, especially if the driver appears to be a Saudi.[/quote] |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:19 am Post subject: |
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| Mia Xanthi wrote: |
| My only warning would be not to get into a random taxi at night alone... |
It is hard to think of a country where a woman shouldn't follow that rule. And in a foreign country, I always tried to get advice from women who know the country.
VS |
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lucreziaborgia
Joined: 19 May 2009
Posts: 177
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:01 am Post subject: |
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If anyone is coming to Hanoi I'm happy to connect them with my taxi driver. He's a magic man! I look forward to having similar in the KSA.
He is my best friend and I will miss him. |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:22 am Post subject: |
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| Mia Xanthi wrote: |
| If you cannot immediately find a number of a reliable driver, then use a taxi service with Indian drivers. They are very safe. |
Well, Teta Mia, why exactly Indian driver and not Somali or Banghali?
All are Miskin, Sadik, and safe, and it is difficult to differentiate between them! |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:03 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Just avoid taking random taxis whenever possible. |
Even then it's quite safe though. I certainly agree that getting a regular, reliable driver will be the best thing you can do in KSA. However, when my driver has been unavailable, I've always taken 'random' drivers off the street - even at night - and never had a problem. |
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