Job Discussion Forums

kazazt · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 164

But then you are a newbie. Give it time.

philipjames · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 37

What do folks do to let off steam in the Kingdom? Where do people meet to socialize? Obviously not the local pub.

spunkmonkey · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 93

John,

"If by "folks back home," you meant only the people that you know (all of whom were, presumably, not interested,) then I apologize, but there are, in my experience at least some "folks back home" who were/are very interested indeed."

Well crafted and delivered Very Happy

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

spunkmonkey · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 93

h-train · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 4:41 pm Post subject:

I'm in the gym 5 days a week. I've always preferred this method to let off steam, regardless of which country I live in. Self improvement is cool. Drinking is lame.

Kipling · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 5:07 pm Post subject: Go tell the spartans..........

Mr/s D wrote
All you have to do is watch the droves speeding across the border to Bahrain for a weekend of alcohol, gambling and whoring to realize that these people are far from 'authentic". Yes, not all Saudis are hypocrites, but there are enough to give the lie to any real notion of "authenticity".

The ancient Greeks had a very pertinent saying(as ever)

'I'd rather be a slave in Athens than a free man in Sparta'

Whilst it was noted and admired that Sparta had a rigorous and moralistic society it was also noted that Spartans abroad were noted for their drunkenness, venality and general unpleasantness when away from the norms of their home society(Which relied totally on a captive Helot underclass to serve their daily needs......... see the parallel)
The KSA,from what I can gather and have read, is little different in some respects, one should forgive Saudi's that behave in such ways we take for granted and surely respect those that don't...as you do.....but not be too surprised or critical when they are off the leash.

Mr K

johnslat · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 7:59 pm Post subject:

Dear spunkmonkey,

"What do folks do to let off steam in the Kingdom? Where do people meet to socialize?"

Let off steam? Is there an oversupply of steam in the Kingdom? Actually, I'm with h_train in the gym (and the IPA in Riyadh has a free one.) Moreover, I used to exercise at home, too.

Socialize? Oh, I suppose SOME people actually do feel a need to socialize, poor dears. I like to "socialize" with books, which I generally find much more interesting and informative than making "small talk" with other expats (especially since much of the small talk was about how unpleasant life in the Kingdom was, how much they looked forward to leaving, and how dumb/mean/hypocritical/{add your own} the Saudis were.)

If you need to socialize, you can; there are actually plenty of opportunities. But you have to actively pursue them. Generally, I didn't see how it was worth the effort.

And heck - you can always come HERE to socialize.

Very Happy

Regards,
John

spunkmonkey · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 93

johnslat · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:10 pm Post subject:

Dear spunkmonkey,

"Are books readily available in Jeddah?"

Book selection at, say, Jarir, is not all that great. My advice: take a Kindle.

Apparently you can use Whispernet to download books in Saudi:

"I would like to thank all those that provided me with tips on which books I should get for my mother for Christmas. Living in Saudi Arabia, getting American books can be a bit difficult at times.

My dad and I thought, what better gift than an Amazon Kindle to solve this problem?! With new latest version she will be able to use Wispernet, even in Saudi Arabia, to buy books, get the latest New York Times and sync her reads between her Kindle and perhaps her iPod Touch. Pretty amazing technology we have these days."

But I'd pre-load it, anyways because I' getting conflicting messages:

"The Global Kindle version does NOT work in (as of Dec. 2009) the following countries:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Antarctica, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, Chad, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, French Southern Territories, Gambia, Guinea, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea � Democratic People�s Republic of, Korea � Republic of, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco (including the Western Sahara), New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Pitcairn, Qatar, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Helena, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands, Sudan, Svalbard and Jan Mayan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tokelau, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uzbekistan, Yemen."

but

"Hmm I know it's not just being within the Whispernet service, Denny - I know several people who have them overseas, and use the USB cord to download books.

It may be that they have to be attached to a US-based Amazon account.

If you like, I can check into it and see what's necessary. I definitely know a guy who lives in Saudi Arabia who has a Kindle, downloads books, and loves it."
__________________

Can't help you with the gym costs.

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Let off steam ? At my advanced age I am happy to have a cup of cocoa and a book by P G Wodehouse.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

"I say, Jeeves, this bally Glossop--you know, the birdie who believes the stars are God's daisy chain and the morning dew is actually the wee fairies' tear drops--has somehow got it into her head that she's engaged to me!"

"Most disturbing, sir."

"You don't suppose she might run into a ferocious escaped tiger on the grounds, do you?"

"The contingency is a remote one, sir."

"I thought so. But I'm dashed disappointed, Jeeves. Haven't you had your fish yet today? Why hasn't your grey matter rallied round the old Wooster predicament? I say! I mean to say, what?"

"Might I suggest a fortnight teaching in the Magical Kingdom, sir?"

"By golly! What brilliance! Jeeves, you're a credit to your profession."

"I endeavour to give satisfaction, sir"

ndiva · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 2 Location: USA

ndiva · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 2 Location: USA

Demigod · Joined: 15 Dec 2009 Posts: 77

Besides the gym, you can always drive on the many ring roads
in Riyadh Confused

You can pretend that you are married and venture too certain family only parks. This caper will also grant you 24 hour access to any malls. Just make sure she sits in the back seat of the car
You can always wear a throbe and vernture into hidden areas Confused

If you are lucky you can witness a beheading..or two

Run naked through the sandstorms... Just dont let the chipped glass
cut important body parts (ouch)

You can always go to Bahrain, Egypt and Uae.. no comment

On a serious note

Listenin to the debates and poetry night (UAe) are interesting. The women are always very entertaining.
Listening to the Imam and scholars from different countries
are informative.
Please do not forget to send money home.. Carrying around 50 to 60000 riyals is not recommended.
Saudi is fun if you find a good niche.. just stay away from the poisonous pit called NAJRAN...