Job Discussion Forums

MyTrunkshow · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:42 am Post subject:

So in another words, a couple and a single man can't go into the family section of a restaurant as it matters to the authorities!

Well, that sucks.

mts.

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:00 am Post subject:

MyTrunkshow · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:43 am Post subject:

Thx. Sounds doable and not a problem.

Now, if the single women can only get there as I can't drive us according to what I understand - unless there's a couple in the car.

mts

trapezius · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:52 am Post subject:

Technically yes, but as I said in another thread, if you are all white, no one will dare to or bother to ask for proof of marriage. If you have an obviously mixed race group, then you definitely have to be careful.

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:57 am Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:26 pm Post subject:

Dear trapezius,
Sorry - I agree with Cleopatra. Maybe things have changed, but I was "asked" (demanded would be a better verb) to produce proof of marriage on two occasions when I was out with my wife (an American, white as a Bing Crosby Christmas.)
Regards,
John

MyTrunkshow · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:57 pm Post subject:

And, please John, what did you provide to prove your marriage?

mts.

trapezius · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject:

Please see the "Proof of marriage" thread for my advice there.

However, I must say that I am surprised that white couples have been asked for proof of marriage. Perhaps it was a long time ago? It would be very very unlikely now.

Still, it is best that every married couple carries proof of marriage when they go out, and that unmarried people/couples take the necessary precautions and avoid possibly problematic situations.

I 'dated' my wife for 2 years 9 months before we got married. We went out to restaurants and malls many times, perhaps up to a 100 times, mostly just the two of us. And when we used to go out, it was in taxis! We are very lucky because we never got into trouble (even though I am brown and she is white). In hindsight, I admit it was reckless of us to do that, as we could have gotten into serious life-altering trouble. We hear many stories of unmarried couples being caught, jailed, and deported.

MyTrunkshow · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject:

trapezius · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject:

MyTrunkshow · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:49 pm Post subject:

Well, Trap, I'm a little thick. Indulge my poor reading skills.

What precautions for unmarried couples?

mts.

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject:

trapezius · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 5:42 pm Post subject:

It also depends on the city you are in.

Perhaps in Riyadh people are a lot more careful, but in Jeddah and Dhahran/Khobar, it is very common for groups of friends (male and female) to go out none of whom is married, all in the same car.

There are really no precautions you could take, I guess, if you are not married to the person you are out with in public. Either you do it, or you don't do it. It is up to you. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't worry about it at all in Jeddah or the Eastern Province. Riyadh would be a different story, perhaps.

However, I guess going to restaurants would be safer than going to malls. And avoid any roads with checkpoints.

Good luck!

johnslat · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:39 pm Post subject:

Dear MyTrunkshow,
Along with my iqama, my driver's license, my riyals, and other stuff, I always carried a copy of our marriage license in my fanny pack. My wife also had an iqama - she was working at KKESH as a nurse.
Better safe than sorry.
Regards,
John

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:48 am Post subject:

Of course, there are other ways to show that you are married. Throw a few toys in the backseat of the car, and drive around looking really pi$$ed off at each other. That'll work.