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guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Again thank you for the plethora of food for thought.

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 3:46 pm Post subject:

Here's a slice of Saudi ex-pat life - told from a local point of view.

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=39503&d=14&m=2&y=2004

johnslat · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 7:35 pm Post subject: Eeeek - it's a Saudi!

Dear Cleopatra,
A slice, perhaps, but not the whole pie. From that one incident, a reader could easily get the impression that Tariq was (gasp) generalizing, even as those "Western ex-pats" were generalizing about their hosts. If we're going to go by anecdotal examples, well, I can't count the number of times Saudis and other Arabs/Moslems initiated conversations with me in supermarkets, malls, etc. They were never rebuffed in such rude fashion.
And I've never seen any of my colleagues/friends over there behave in such a manner, either.
Regards,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 9:29 am Post subject:

Well, I have to say I did know too many ex-pats with the kind of attitude my friend Tariq describes. Having said that, I must say I haven't seen too many Saudis go out of their way to be friendly to foreigners in public either - but maybe that's just Riyadh? I don't think it's because they are "anti-Western" or any of that nonsense - they behave the same way with their fellow Saudis.

Of course, as you say, it is just as bad for Saudis to stereotype "Westerners" as it is for us to stereotype them. But I do think Tariq is on to something.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Interestingly, Cleopatra you say you knew many westerners. This leads me to believe it is not nearly as lonely as I've learned to endure. I often go several months without meeting a native speaker of English.

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:51 pm Post subject:

Umm...yes and no.

I found KSA very very lonely - though maybe that's just me? (Though I doubt it!)

There still are a fair number of "Westerners" in KSA. However, these days they tend to be the sort who stick to themselves and watch the bank balance grow. Maybe I exaggerate but if so others can come and give a more balanced view!

Also, 'knowing' people does not mean that you are neccessarily friends with them. As I said, these days most Saudi expats seem to concentrate on keeping a low profile and, since most appear to be couples with kids, it acan be lonely for a single person. As I've said, I'll be happy for people to come along and prove me wrong!

Another point is that you may be living in a country where it's easy to make friends with the locals, esp. as you have a local wife. However, it's very different in the Gulf countries, as other posters have said. In 99% of cases, people find themselves relying on the expat community for a social life,whether they like this or not.