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teacup05
Joined: 14 Aug 2011
Posts: 15
Location: International
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 Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:32 am Post subject: entering KSA w/out an abaya? |
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Hi all,
when a woman first arrives in KSA from the west, how does one dress? Are there opportunities to find an abaya before getting off the plane?
I have a hoodie and long (midcalf) skirt to wear, but wouldn't mind something more in line with local custom. What's your experience been with those first moments after landing?
Thanks! |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:47 am Post subject: |
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I assume that your employer will be picking you up at the airport? They will often bring an abaya for new staff. Why not ask them? They are also available online to order.
VS |
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ejc
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:58 am Post subject: |
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I was wondering exactly the same thing..
I'm sure we can go one day without an abaya? Especially if we're just going to be at the airport and driven to our living spaces..? |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 2:15 am Post subject: |
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Oh, GOD! Are we going to get into the "abaya thing" AGAIN! Saudi airports are NOT landmines! People there are NOT robots! They realize that people enter w/o recognizing the local customs. My wife entered Riyadh International waaayyyy back in '94 and was welcomed as was I.
Get an abaya when you get there and PLEASE don't start posting websites of sequined "designer abayas"!
It's OTT!!! |
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teacup05
Joined: 14 Aug 2011
Posts: 15
Location: International
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| Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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[quote=Get an abaya when you get there and PLEASE don't start posting websites of sequined "designer abayas"!
It's OTT!!![/quote]
LOL!!! It's Scary, you're no fun!
How about an embroidered abaya? Would that be OTT? I'd fancy an embroidered abaya even if I didn't have to wear one. |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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| LOL!!! It's Scary, you're no fun! |
NEITHER is SAUDI! And, the local God Squad would fancy harassing you if the consensus among them that an embroidered abaya was too liberal. It's not ME...it's their demented vision of Islam!
It's NO cup of tea...cup05! |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 1:43 am Post subject: |
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First off, I never went to Saudi mainly because of the dress code and the no driving thing, but here is what my friends have said on the issue of fancy abayas. For everyday and shopping, best NOT to draw too much attention with anything eye catching. Having a fancy one for dress occasions is fine. You really need to be there awhile to test the waters and see what is appropriate when and where.
VS |
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ejc
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 6:04 am Post subject: |
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| It's Scary! wrote: |
Oh, GOD! Are we going to get into the "abaya thing" AGAIN! Saudi airports are NOT landmines! People there are NOT robots! They realize that people enter w/o recognizing the local customs. My wife entered Riyadh International waaayyyy back in '94 and was welcomed as was I.
Get an abaya when you get there and PLEASE don't start posting websites of sequined "designer abayas"!
It's OTT!!! |
Dear It's Scary,
THANK YOU, I'm rather relieved to hear that we needn't sprint to the airport gift shop to purchase an abaya. But I'm assuming you're a man and so you wouldn't have to worry about such things. But us girls on the other hand, simply want to avoid being frowned upon.. |
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DeApple
Joined: 04 Sep 2009
Posts: 25
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:31 am Post subject: Entering KSA w/out an abaya? |
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ejc
You�ll be amazed to know that there is no gift shop at King Khaleed International Airport, but just an Starbucks, a small delicatessen and a tiny Al-Rahji Bank (currency exchange) that closes 5 times a day during prayer times so if you like to be prepared bring a cheepy abaya or ask your employer for one - they love to see westerners with one  and you can still buy them at any supermarket, including Carrefour or souks, Taiba, Batha, Al-Kuwait |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| My wife entered Riyadh International waaayyyy back in '94 and was welcomed as was I. |
Reading comprehension is a valuable asset for a teacher. The implication was that she entered with me, yet w/o an abaya. They were much more conservative then. Riyadh is generally considered the most conservative of all the international portals.
Do you frown upon them when you see one of their nationals in their traditional headdress? Just don't wear spandex. Loose fitting clothing at the airport the first time is usual.
It's downright ridiculous! |
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teacup05
Joined: 14 Aug 2011
Posts: 15
Location: International
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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I'm no longer surprized to find a Starbucks anywhere -- what amazes me is that there is a Carrefour in KSA -- but I suppose that's just as normal as a Starbucks at the Riyadh airport, or the fact that KFC is halal (at least in Paris).
I see your point that an embroidered abaya could be too eyecatching as daily wear in public. Alas.
PS -- is it physically possible to wear spandex in 110 degree F weather? |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Dear teacup05,
Only at a burial, provided it's yours  .
Regards,
John |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 1:45 am Post subject: |
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| teacup05 wrote: |
| PS -- is it physically possible to wear spandex in 110 degree F weather? |
I've been pondering exactly why someone would want to... at any temperature... 
VS |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 2:07 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| teacup05 wrote: |
| PS -- is it physically possible to wear spandex in 110 degree F weather? |
I've been pondering exactly why someone would want to... at any temperature...
VS |
@teacup05...no. However, it matches the OTT practices of past posters who went on and on and on about the best places to catalogue-order designer abayas and bombarded this forum with really "helpful" websites. Ugh!
@VS-I'm going to PM you with a picture of me in my speedos!  
It's only my opinion! |
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gelynch52ph
Joined: 15 Feb 2011
Posts: 132
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 2:47 am Post subject: Don't be "sure" of anything in the magic kingdom |
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| ejc wrote: |
I was wondering exactly the same thing..
I'm sure we can go one day without an abaya? Especially if we're just going to be at the airport and driven to our living spaces..? |
However, many expat women from various countries never wear abayas. Muslims women from other countries cover their head with a scarf as they do in their home countries but it is not necessary for foreign women to wear an abaya as long as most of your skin is covered. |
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