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Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

I never find it refreshing when anyone tries to cram their religion down my throat. And it's not part of my job description to have to listen to it. No matter what part of the world I'm in.

trapezius · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:14 pm Post subject:

Why are some people so paranoid? Yes, it is wise to be paranoid in Saudi, but opting out of a mailing list? Really?

rjbsd, you will be fine receiving such emails. Just don't open them at work, as others have said. (although I would even open them at work, and do open all sorts of controversial-for-SA emails in SA at work)

johnslat · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:41 pm Post subject:

Dear Sheik,

Cram? I guess if someone tried to CRAM it down my throat, I'd get annoyed.

But these students didn't do any CRAMMING; they simply dropped off the literature and left. No follow-up, either.

So, maybe you had a different experience. But then, I'm even nice to the Latter Day Saints who ring my doorbell here. Actually, I kind of admire them. They go into neighborhoods, I wouldn't enter without a heavily armed police escort.

Dear trap,

Better paranoid (But is it paranoia when they're really out to get you?) than sorry.

Regards,
John

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject:

SnB: I'll hafta agree with John and imagine that you did have a different experience. My fellas did the same thing...a drop off with a request to consider the proposition...and no follow-up. The hopeful hopelessly making a rather kind gesture.

And, I must say, that I never heard any more about the eternal damnation that I faced at the King Faisal School or the more hardcore mutawwa that somehow got "transferred" outta my face.

NCTBA

rjbsd · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 53

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:49 pm Post subject:

I agree with Trapezius.

Being super-cautious is very often the best course of action in KSA, but I wouldn't worry too much about emails. In my years here, I have heard of people getting into trouble for all sorts of stuff. But never once have I heard of someone being arrested because of the emails they received or the web pages they surfed. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but I don't think it's something you need to be overly paranoid about. The Saudis do censor the net (though not as strictly as you might imagine) but they do not seem to do a lot of cyber-eavesdropping, at least not of expat ESL teachers!

Deicide · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:53 pm Post subject:

What about porn? youtube videos with religious/political themes? etc.?

trapezius · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject:

Are you seriously asking about porn? All sorts of porn is available here at corner stores and unblocked on the internet! Rolling Eyes

Youtube is available, but any video that requires you to confirm that you are 18 is blocked.

Deicide · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:15 pm Post subject:

Deicide · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject:

trapezius · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject:

I answered both of your questions, and if you can't understand what I said....

johnslat · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:28 pm Post subject:

Dear Deicide,

Probably not - but maybe you can get a gay one.

Smile

OK - you can watch whatever you want in the privacy of you flat. Just don't get caught procuring it.

About YouTube, that's a case-by-case scenario: some political/religious videos are blocked, some aren't. You don't expect even censorship in audi to be either efficient or logical, I hope.

Regards,
John

Deicide · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:32 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject:

Dear Deicide,

I wouldn't worry about your home computer being monitored, but don't surf to any "questionable" sites at work.

Regards,
John