Job Discussion Forums

Hot2GlobeTrot · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 82 Location: Calgary, Canada

I was tossing around either SA or UAE in a couple years but have read posters on here calling the Kingdom a hellhole, being stripped of rights etc etc....What exactly are we talking about here?

and aside from the stuff we all know-no alcohol, no women, no movies etc-what is so bad about SA compared to UAE?

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

If you're married, your wife will probably be very bored and limited to going out always accompanied by you. Apart from that, and the snail's pace to do any paperwork, I can't find anything to complain about here.

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:17 am Post subject:

Given the choice, and all other things being equal, most people would go for the UAE because it offers more personal freedoms such as driving for women, cinemas, bars etc. Most people probably find it a more 'normal' and easier environment. Human rights (or lack of same) are similar in both countries.

Personally, however, I am happy here in KSA and would choose it over the UAE. I'm not interested in the latter's sleazy nightlife, can live without the cinema (you can get everything here on pirated DVD within weeks of its release anyway) and am not bothered by the abaya or the driving ban. I also dislike the ?=UAE's palpable desperation to please the Rich White Man. As someone with an interest in world affairs, I also find it far more interesting to be in one fo the world's most crucial countries, rather than in a minuscule Sheikhdom of no importance, hitting the headlines only when someone gets arrested for 'public indecency' in 'liberal' Dubai, or when the latest resort of mind numbing vulgarity opens with a display of sleaze.

The Lathe of Heaven · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:54 am Post subject:

Everytime I decide to go out and buy something it seems I always hit the selah prayer and there is a half hour down time before everything is up and running again. I guess this is not specific to Saudi but some of the other Gulf states too.

It is not a bother to me as I am pretty amused at my timing all the time, I also like shinny objects. Very Happy

TLOH

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:59 am Post subject:

The Lathe of Heaven · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:11 am Post subject:

I also wish that there was some sort of public transport in some of the major cities in Saudi. Couldn't they have a women's bus, a family bus and a guys bus?
Rolling Eyes

TLOH

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

I am now in Oman, after teaching in the Kingdom for 2 years.

I was in Carrefour the other day shopping, and something just felt different- more relaxed. Then I realized that I had all the time in the world to do my shopping, as there was no prayer time closing.

The hassle of trying to accomplish anything, especially as a woman, around prayer times, available drivers, the completely arbitrary schedule of work, etc, cannot be overstated.

On the other hand, if you are seeking to complete your magnus opus, you may be in just the right place.

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:15 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

SAPTCO buses in Jeddah have segregated women's sections at the back.
The private minibuses in Jeddah are men-only. There are buses in Dammam/Khobar but I have never used them. Cannot say if they have women's sections. Many employers run shopping buses for their employees and dependants.

There is talk about building metro systems (Well Dubai has one so KSA has to follow !)

The Lathe of Heaven · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:03 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I wonder how it works in Dubai ? Railways in Britain (pre WW1 ?) had separate cariages for ladies travelling alone - and ladies waiting rooms. I am surprised the feminists have not asked us to return to that !

Would Cleo and VS vote for women-only carriages ?

Kalima Shahada · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:08 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

What about thoise who have been so influenced by their culture that they cannot handle functioning in a different one? I am thinking of thoose who have bizarre concepts like "queueing" which they have learned in theoir own societies.

You also find those who cannot handle being interrupted. And those who expect clerks to attend to

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:01 am Post subject:

I once met a guy who was working on the proposed Riyadh Metro. He assured me that it would soon be up and running, and that segregation would not be an issue. That was in 2005. Mind you, there have been massive roadworks in Riyadh for the past year, and if rumours are correct, they are the first stage in the planned metro system.

I dont' think segregation would be a huge problem. Similar systems in Cairo and Tehran (and possibly in some Indian cities too) have women only carriages, though in those cities, women are not obliged to use them and may also travel in mixed carriages.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124