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Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

I thought sharing our experiences with others was the basic reason for this forum. Sharing my experience regarding an employer or a country in no way implies that anyone is dumb.

But, maybe I'm just up a tree. Very Happy

MEB

johnslat · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject:

Dear MEB,

Sharing experiences - fine. But for a non-Muslim gentleman to tell a Muslim lady that she will not like it in Saudi Arabia, well, I think that just might be a little outside the bounds of his experience - no?

Regards,
John

Mysterious · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 170

BretHarte · Joined: 17 Aug 2011 Posts: 94

It's almost impossible to offend me, so don't worry.

You start posting asking for advice/opinions about KSA. Then you get mad when you don't like what you hear. Take it for what it cost you: nothing.

It seems to me you're getting ornery about this without any reason. Some people do enjoy living in The Magical Kingdom, but the majority, from every country that works here, Muslims and Heathens alike, are only here for the money. Most Muslims are here to squeeze in a Hajj before they leave but that's neither here nor there.

The original question asked was about limiting the amount of money than can be sent home. Most people who work here don't think it likely because it would decimate the Saudi workforce. Even Saudis don't like to hire Saudis when work needs to be done.

Mysterious · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 170

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

caisara · Joined: 30 Sep 2011 Posts: 24

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

MOD edit

McBrainiac · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 61 Location: Somewhere warm

Just want to jump in and add my two cents again. As I said initially, I didn't come to the KSA for the perceived lifestyle, I came to make money that was needed to pay bills and support my family outside the country.

While I always found the lifestyle somewhat restrictive, I have no regrets about having worked there for several years. That may have something to do with the fact that I had very good employers (IPA and KFUPM) but what I really liked about the whole expat experience was the fellow expats I met. I made lots of very good friends there and because of that and the fact that I achieved my financial objectives it was more than worth it.

Good luck to anyone contemplating the Saudi experience, and, getting back to the initial topic, does anybody know yet if they are seriously going to implement this crazy idea of forcing us to spend most of our salaries in country?

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

McBrainiac · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 61 Location: Somewhere warm

I'd have to say that I agree with you, VS. Those I encountered in the KSA who complained constantly were definitely chronically unhappy types that would be, and by all accounts, were unhappy just about everywhere they worked and lived. That said, in my experience, the intense environment in the KSA tends to bring about both the best and worst in people.

caisara · Joined: 30 Sep 2011 Posts: 24

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

johnslat · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:03 pm Post subject:

Dear caisara,

"A lot of Western women say they're happier than they are when they live overseas because the male-dominated expat community doesn't tolerate whiners generally . . ."

So, you're talking about women when they're living overseas, right?

But isn't the example Mysterious gave of a woman NOT living overseas (when Mysterious talked to her?)

"I was speaking to a woman down the phone (company that I was going to use to ship things to Saudi), and she was telling me that her husband was in Riyadh for two years on business and loved it and she and him would have moved out for good if it wasn't for their teen son who was going to start his GCSEs at school."

Or have I misinterpreted that????

Regards,
John

Mysterious · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 170

You've definitely not misinterpreted my part of it.

And this woman was as genuine as they come. I spoke to her about 4 or 5 times and we've been sending emails to each other. It started off as an enquiry of shipments abroad, and then we shared stories. She was very genuine when she said she loved it out there, and that her husband loved it out there. She said it was the lifestyle that they loved. Very different to the west. They both wish they could go back, and perhaps will once their son is done with his studies. Lying about that would be of no benefit to her or to me.

People can be happy in life. So let them, without thinking that they are lying about it. Simple.