Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear tvik,
Over the years, a fair number of my colleagues fit into that category.

Rule Number One: DON'T get involved with a local. If the relationship goes south, you'd be wide open to blackmail or retribution. I recall one colleague whom this happened to.

Rule Number Two: Be VERY discrete. Another colleague got caught by the matawas because he was engaging in his romantic pursuits in a car. He ended up in jail for a while and was then deported.

In a way, it's rather like consuming alcohol there - if you're cautious and don't take unnecessary risks, chances are you'll be OK.

Regards,
John

[Bebsi]

[007]

[johnslat]

Dear 007,

Here's an interesting article:

http://www.glapn.org/sodomylaws/world/saudi_arabia/saudinews19.htm

Here's an excerpt:

"There are real dangers if the police discover men cruising or having sex, he admits, but the threat is not getting your head chopped off. "They might threaten to expose you to your family if you don�t pay them money, or they might [sexually] abuse you," says Salim. If you are arrested for gay conduct, the typical reaction, says Salim, is to be sent to a hospital for the equivalent of so-called "reparative therapy," that tries to make gays straight."

But that's for locals who get caught.

and this:

"Saudi courts impose capital punishment and corporal punishment, including amputations of hands and feet for serious robbery, and floggings for lesser crimes such as "sexual deviance" (i.e. homosexuality) and drunkenness. The number of lashes is not clearly prescribed by law and varies according to the discretion of the presiding judges. The number ranges from dozens to several thousand, usually applied over a period of weeks or months. In 2002,the United Nations Committee against Torture criticised Saudi Arabia over the amputations and floggings it carries out under the Shari'a. The Saudi delegation responded defending "legal traditions" held since the inception of Islam in the region 1400 years ago and rejected interference in its legal system. (Source: BBC, see [1])"

http://www.alloexpat.com/middle_east_expat_forum/saudi-arabia-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia-country-profile-t1662.html

Do you know of any "Western" ex-pats who have been executed for engaging in consensual homosexual activities?

Regards,
John

[Mia Xanthi]

In response to the original question, I have seen a number of single straight people establish romantic relationships since I arrived in KSA. It is indeed a woman's market, though, and possibly a better kept secret than those infamous places in Alaska where the ratio of men to women is allegedly 10:1.

As for the type of wife that will adapt well to KSA, I would suggest the EMPLOYABLE type. A wife who has Saudi-friendly work skills (a native-speaker English teacher, a medical professional) will be much happier than an unemployed wife. Just because your wife is happy being a housewife in the US or in her home country does not mean that she will be happy as a housewife in the Kingdom.

[Cleopatra]

Once again, Mia talks a lot of good sense.

I too have known many people who established long-term heteros**ual relationships here. Of course, it is also true that a fair few marriages break down here too, but I would hazard a guess that most of these were headed for the divorce court sooner or later in any case - it's just that, as in so many cases, KSA 'expediated' it all. I do think life here - the enforced togetherness, the 'weird' environment, the endless gossip and claustrophobia, can put a strain on a lot of relationships - not just marital partnerships but platonic friendships too.

Mia is also absolutely right about how vital it is for a 'trailing spouse' to find work here. With the possible exception of those who are kept very busy with raising a family, having a job is, IMHO, essential to any hope of retaining a level of mental health here. Maybe I'm a bit biased - given that the thought of being economically and socially dependent on a husband has always horrified me - but I do think that the happiest couples here are the ones where both partners are working at least some of the time. Unfortunately, for women the options are rather few in KSA, being mostly limited to teaching and hospital work.

[007]

[scot47]

I really do not understand why people have such problems coping with KSA ! A wonderful place !

[cmp45]

[Stephen Jones]

How many amputations have there been in the last few years. I would say in double figures at most.

The three strikes law in California appears much more inhumane to me.

It's hard to comment on executions for homosexuality because very often the cases turn out to be child rape. I can remember some in Abha a few years back that weren't. Certainly at present there are more executions for witchcraft and sorcery.

[Cleopatra]

[sheikh radlinrol]

[Mia Xanthi]

[Cleopatra]

[scot47]

I could not under any circumstancves live in Swindon. Riyadh ios okay.