Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:05 pm Post subject:

Dear Vertical,

The "thumbs-up" gesture never came up as an issue during my time there (I never gave it,) but, according to this site

"The "thumbs up" gesture is offensive."

http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/saudi-arabia.htm

Other sites don't mention Saudi, but say it's offensive in Iran, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and parts of Italy and Greece.

So, when/if in doubt, I'd say it's thumbs-down on thumbs-up.

Regards,
John

Vertical · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 34 Location: Saudi Arabia

Thanks Johnslat..
That is the same website on which I had seen it a while ago. But I have not seen it specifically mentioned anywhere else.
So I was curious whether it might be outdated now and many of you guys on this forum are "closer to the ground" and would have a more updated and realistic viewpoint.
Anyway, I'll make a mental note to try to eradicate the gesture from my general behaviour.

Vert

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

From someone who has been teaching in Arabia on and off for 40 years, I can assure you that the "thumbs-up" is not offensive in this part of the world.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:01 am Post subject:

However...what the thumb's up could be...

NCTBA

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:17 am Post subject:

I'm aferd that vertical is being a bit exuberant...

Jes' my two riyals worth...

NCTBA

Vertical · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 34 Location: Saudi Arabia

Exuberant? = "Joyously unrestrained"
(Or have I misinterpreted you?)

NCBA, I assure you, I am simply being cautious!

As I mentioned, I had seen that website before, but I am not the kind of person who clicks on those "you are the 1 millionth visitor and you have won a billion dollars" banners. I generally look for more mentions of something to corroborate a statement or fact. In this case, there was very little. So I was dubious of the validity of the information.

That same website also says that neckchains should not be worn (or visible).
Care to comment on that? (Sounds extreme to me?!)

Vert

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

It sounds to me like you should just ignore that website.

VS

trapezius · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject:

Chains on men are OK, as long as there is no cross, star of David, or swastika hanging from it!

Vertical · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 34 Location: Saudi Arabia

Thanks everyone for the various information. The topics did deviate from the original subject. Perhaps I should have started a new thread on general KSA questions.
I do think many of the questions regarding the accepted protocols are quite pertinent to first time arrivers like myself.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who would rather err on the side of caution initially. After all, part of the success in the classroom relies on mutual trust, earning respect and building rapport with the students. It would therefore be counter productive to these aims if we wore anything, said anything or did anything which was offensive to our students.

I honestly think there is a strong need for a sticky which provides answers to some of the questions I have asked in this thread and the many more I haven't asked. (For example, I have also heard that wearing my gold wedding ring may be offensive or even illegal. As it is 'haraam". I gather that only women may wear jewelry and men wearing jewelry implies that they are feminine. No gold nor silk may be worn by anyone.. etc)

I agree, "the times they are a changin". But even some groups have mentions which show recent arrests in the UAE of men for simply wearing a silver neckchain. So perhaps the times are changing in the other direction.

The best information is generally provided by those who are presently there.
So thanks again. I expect to be amongst you very soon.

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

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 3:16 pm Post subject:

In saudi, men are generally discouraged from wearing "excessive" jewelry...whatever "excessive" means. I would think that a wedding band and, probably, a bracelet of some kind would not draw too much attention/complaints. Observable male piercings are right out. As silk doesn't breathe, you'd be an idiot to wear it in the humid zones. I wore some silk shirts in Riyadh, but didn't flaunt it and never had a problem.

The rule of thumb I always used in saudi was "when in doubt, throw it out (figuratively)". The less face time spent with the puritanical ones...the better...

NCTBA

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Na. They can search.

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Yeah, you're right, Scot. Let them search, and they shall find.

Club 500: it's a really exclusive, elite operation, that's all I'll say here. Forget St Tropez, Monte Carlo or Aruba, 500 is the real thing in opulent living...downright decadence, in fact!

Laughing

Vertical · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 34 Location: Saudi Arabia

Well guys, thanks for all the feedback.
It's all of little consequence now, as I arrived in Riyadh in the wee hours of Friday morning. (04h00 to be precise.)
I have been here a couple of days now and clearly many of my fear were unfounded.

But, I have worn a suit and tie every day. And I am loving the heat. I can do hot anytime, but cold is something I can't deal with. So this is like being on the beach in Durban (East coast of South Africa) all day without sunblock. (A pastime I regularly engaged in when I was younger.)

There is one thing you guys could have told me, which would have been invaluable. So bear this in mind for the next poor first timer when he/she starts asking a few questions about the KSA.
BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER Rolling Eyes

I will not be staying in Riyadh though. I will be moving to "greener pastures" in Khobar next week. (According to my master.)

Khobar looks like a hotter version of my hometown, Durban., (see above)
So I do expect to enjoy it even more than I'm enjoying Riyadh.

See you in the sea Cool

Vert