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diced260 · Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 80

I hadn't really given this much though until I got caught up in the dress code for women thread...and someone said that western suits/tie were most appropriate in Saudi, for the men. I was planning on wearing patani/shalwar suits (made famous on CNN; the style worn by many Afghanis and Pakistanis). I just find them so comfortable and functional, not to mention more modest (and humble). Would this form of dress be acceptable/appreciated/"ridiculed"??!

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:08 am Post subject:

Ridiculed, unless you are of Pakistani/Indian origin yourself.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Not acceptable for work where you should expect the dress code to insist on you waring "western business attire":. Some places expect tie. Some do not. A suit is overdressing.

trapezius · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:12 pm Post subject:

diced260 · Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 80

Hypothetically, what if I look Afghani (Kashmiris have even mistaken me for one of their own), have a distinct American accent, and am teaching English in the school? Smile

It'll be a real let down to have to wear western clothes again! I guess my point is, if I'm obviously not a laborer, will I be cut some slack?

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Wear the western attire at school. You won't be at school 24/7, therefore you would be free to wear what you like after hours. However, not everyone will know your name outside school, so you will soon figure out how the pecking order works, based upon appearance and not your credentials.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

When working in the Training Centre at the airline our dress code was "Western Business Attire" or Saudi National Dress. When one Canadian was unwise enough to turn up wearing an Egyptian "jalabiya" he was told by our shocked manager to go home at once and change before anyone important saw him.

The Saudis do not go in for this touchy-feely, wishy-washy multiculturalism. Nationalities and ethnicities have a clearly understood pecking order.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:02 pm Post subject:

lazycomputerkids · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 360 Location: Tabuk

trapezius · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:55 pm Post subject:

I wear formal shirt and trousers 40% of the time (but no tie), and jeans and polo shirt or full sleeve tshirt 60% of the time.

diced260 · Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 80

Hey everyone, a sincere thanks for sharing. Would love to hear more though. To be honest, I am having a difficult time understanding how or why Saudis would ridicule anyone who chose to wear the "national dress". Is "ridicule" even the right word? I was routinely complimented for wearing the patani style in South Asia, for its modesty in part, but also because it just looks good. This in spite of the fact that most people don't seem to lament the "westernization" with regards to fashion there. ACTUALLY, wait, yeah, every single day I had touts (invariably Hindu) hollering at me, "bin Ladin! Hey Ladin!" I guess that's a form of ridicule. Smile

While I'm not Muslim, I easily made friends with Kashmiris, Iraqis, Jordanians, and the Muslims of India...certainly in no small part because of my interest in the religion and people. How could the Saudis be so much different???

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 1:06 am Post subject:

Dear diced260,

Some/many f the Saudis would see you as an "outsider trying to pass," and would react according to how they felt about that.
In my experience, non-Saudis who wore Saudi dress did not fare well with the locals.
Regards,
John

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

diced260,
Go for it! Whichever way it works out it will be a great learning experience. Having experienced or learned first hand you can then share with us your findings. Up for the challenge? The stakes/tuition can be high but who can really put a price on true knowledge gained through experience?

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

This is one way in which women have the advantage in Saudi Arabia (there may be 2, but I am not sure of the other one).

We can wear long dresses, loose and comfortable, beautiful colours, scarves and dupatas, and slippers. A Punjabi suit is perfect.

I suspect this is because we aren't taken seriously at all, anyway, and are respected about the same as the nationals who wear those clothes.

Whatever, I don't care. I love the comfort and beauty of sub-continental and Arab women's traditional clothes. I have even gotten away with Moroccan wear at cold times.

For some reason, the men are exempted from this freedom, even though most of the Saudis don't respect you anyway, no matter what you wear.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I think Saudis have mixed feelings about us. Quite complex ones !