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dismus
Joined: 08 Aug 2009
Posts: 16
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 Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:28 am Post subject: Ramadan |
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At Ramadan are universities, offices, etc. normally closed? I've been trying to get hold of a university by phone and by email without any success.
I get the impression that some do and some don't.
Cheers in advance. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:45 am Post subject: |
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| Almost all educational institutions stay open during most of Ramadan, but, in common with businesses throughout the Kingdom, they work reduced hours. 9-3 is typical. It can be difficult to get through to universities at any time of the year, especially by email. Phoning is better, but try to get the number of the specific person you want to speak to. |
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dismus
Joined: 08 Aug 2009
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 11:18 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for that.
In fact I have been phoning each day for a week or so now (between 10 and 12 Saudi time) using the phone number from the web site, which is the phone number they originally rang me on. Each time there has just been no response whatsoever. It's strange and frustrating. But at least you have confirmed, more or less, what I believed was the case anyhow.
Thanks again. |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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Customer service is 'haram' in the country.
If you can get any business of any type to answer your call any time of the year and then to satisfy you, you are a superhuman. |
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dismus
Joined: 08 Aug 2009
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject: ramadan |
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I'll keep trying. I'll let you know if I take on superhuman status.
Cheers. |
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desultude
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 614
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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| trapezius wrote: |
Customer service is 'haram' in the country.
If you can get any business of any type to answer your call any time of the year and then to satisfy you, you are a superhuman. |
This is disturbingly true. Except I did find at time a couple of Saudis who worked hard to solve problems and to take care of business. They shine like stars in a midnight sky due to their rarity. Show your gratitude in a hundred ways- these are the ones to cultivate. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Show your gratitude in a hundred ways- these are the ones to cultivate. |
I think this is the key.
If you establish good personal relations with individual Saudis, they will likely go out of their way to help you. This is the way this society works - personal relations are very important. 'Customer service' in the sense of providing efficient telephone or email responses to anonymous callers may not be a priorty - though I have to say I've always had excellent service from the call centres of my bank and other businesses. However, it's well worth having, say, the HR people from your college 'on your side'. Conversely, alienating them is a seriously bad idea! |
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desultude
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 614
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Cleopatra wrote: |
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| Show your gratitude in a hundred ways- these are the ones to cultivate. |
I think this is the key.
If you establish good personal relations with individual Saudis, they will likely go out of their way to help you. This is the way this society works - personal relations are very important. 'Customer service' in the sense of providing efficient telephone or email responses to anonymous callers may not be a priorty - though I have to say I've always had excellent service from the call centres of my bank and other businesses. However, it's well worth having, say, the HR people from your college 'on your side'. Conversely, alienating them is a seriously bad idea! |
Yeah- with HR people, it is almost disturbing how far a box of good chocolates or some flowers will go. And if you truly offend someone in HR (or anyone else you need to rely on) bloody your knees apologizing, and bring both flowers and chocolate. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:37 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah- with HR people, it is almost disturbing how far a box of good chocolates or some flowers will go |
I actually wasn't thinking in terms of gifts. I have never brought so much as a cup of coffee to any colleagues in administration. It's more that, over the years, I have noticed how strikingly rude some teachers are to Saudi admin. It's not that it can't be frustrating dealing with these people - it certainly can be. But often they have little control over what goes on, and they have their own way of dealing with things.
However, it amazes me how some expats think they can be rude and overbearing with admin, and that in admin in turn will go out of their way to help them. It doesn't work that way anywhere in the world, certainly not in Saudi Arabia. Thing is, Saudis tend not to let you know directly that they have been offended, which is not at all the same thing as saying that they have not been offended and will not bear that in mind next time you come to them looking for a favour. |
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