Job Discussion Forums

saharastars · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 107 Location: Wonderland

Hiya,

I've been chatting to a KSA veteran who said that anytime anyone moves into a appartmant /villa (KSA) etc they should CHANGE the locks. he didn't elaborate and I didnt get to ask, since then I cant quite shake the creeped out feeling that gave me. Change the locks...why? is this the case for compounds as well as private renting? It also got me thinking, Daves ESL Cafe Saudi section often reminds me of The Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy; what other tips for survial can you give? Nothing smutty/racist/sexist or crass please, however anything however crazy will be gleefully read. Smile

Points and admiration will be given to entries that are a) truthful, B) relevant & C) so crazy its got to be true.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

When you move into any house or apartment anywhere you should change the locks. Plenty of people don't, and take the risk, but that doesn't mean they are not being foolhardy.

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

Interestingly I have never done this... anywhere in the world. Guess I've just been lucky. Actually when I lived in the Emirates, it would have been impossible to do. Changing locks wasn't allowed and there were no locksmiths. I learned this because I moved into a new building and proceeded to lock myself out (in my bathrobe and barefoot, of course). Of course it was the weekend, and the harras (watchman) told me that the landlord had no keys because there were no other keys than the one I had. Eventually he found a carpenter who removed the door to get me in to get the key. Cool

You couldn't even have an extra key made, so I had to have it made in Oman. I wonder if this has changed...

Not Saudi... though... so I guess it doesn't count.

VS

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

I think the only time I've changed locks is when I've locked myself out. I am prepared to admit to it being foolhardy though.

saharastars · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 107 Location: Wonderland

Well folks, I could write a whole novel of macabre short stories based on NOT getting the locks changed on a compound . I also heard that a western family who moved into their villa , had a nasty experience, the wife was alone when the landlord decided that he wanted to pay her a visit and tried to attack her. When confronted about his actions he said 'that she had encouraged him' . The only thing that she could think of was that she had smiled to him when they had first met to look at the villa.Utter madness.

By the way has anyone heard from Lizzie Bennet? bit worried as she was last heard of heading toward the shifting sandS of Oola ( or something like that).