Job Discussion Forums

[jargonscott]

Hi,
I'm currently working here in Jubail for the next year and I've noticed that many things (especially chips and crackers) seem to always be individually wrapped. I.E. - You can buy a 4 pack of Oreos. If you want to buy a larger amount, you can... but it's just a bunch of 4 packs within a box. If you want a large quantity of chips, you have to buy a bunch of 1oz bags wrapped in a large plastic bag and then stuck inside of a box.

Is there any sane reasoning for this? I understand that I'm in one serious industrial town that revolves around the petrochemical industry. Therefore, the repercussions of plastic/trash/litter/etc doesn't seem to be high on the list of many folks. I'm just curious if there is some actual logic behind it all.

Is this sort of thing popular through out all of the Middle East? Any other spots around the globe? It has never seemed this common in the countries I've visited (mainly North American and European countries).

[It's Scary!]

[jargonscott]

Of course I'm not expecting there to be any logic. Nearly every experience I've had thus far in KSA has proven that logic isn't a concern here. However, I figured I would run it by the veterans to see if I was missing something.

[ganesh77]

The packaging can be understood as a metaphor introduced to ensure the promotion of particular values that have been deemed essential for Saudi society. Everyone in a definite and specifically arranged place, separated from others even while connected to them, and fulfilling their function in what appears to be the most unnecessarily wasteful manner possible. Pretty much all the psychological insights I've gained about the Saudis have come from a leisurely afternoon at the local Panda

[jargonscott]

Hahahah. So awesome!

[Saudi4Ever]

Perfectly logical when you consider that there are many large families in KSA with school aged children.

[It's Scary!]