Job Discussion Forums

EricCC · Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 63

I am currently in Korea and one of my coworkers is telling me NOT to go to Saudi Arabia because it is "so terrible." What do you think?

Grendal · Last edited by Grendal on Thu Mar 22, 2012 4:45 pm; edited 2 times in total

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Well, we think EricCC should check out the thread "Is living in Saudi really that bad???" (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=92819) and decide for himself.

Wink

EricCC · Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 63

EricCC · Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 63

Sheikennotstirred · Joined: 30 Sep 2011 Posts: 28 Location: Saudi Arabia

I don't find life terrible here at all. But then I am single, white, and male, all advantages, and I have my own car. I get paid on time, not top end of the pay scale by Saudi standards but it's enough not to have to worry about money at all while I am here. I eat out all the time, get away to Bahrain, Qatar or the UAE when I need a break, I take 2-3 good vacations (Asia and Europe mostly) a year, and still save a sizeable portion, more than friends back in the States who, on paper, "earn" twice as much as I do.

Then again, I don't have major family ties back home, and I have a job that works us reasonable hours (15-20 contact hours a week max, often less, good breaks) and an employer who pays us on time and (by the standards of the region) doesn't take us for a ride. Take any of these out of the equation and life could be very different.

EricCC · Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 63

JerkyBoy · Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Posts: 485

You come here at your own peril. If you wish to be spat at in the street and pelted with stones, be my guest.

Grendal

Grendal · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 4:47 pm Post subject:

Stay in Korea.

Grendal

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Grendal · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject:

Don't want another backpacker coming here and making life hard on the ones that are trying to cope. We all hear the newbies to Saudi and their complaints to the university and contractors. These complaints eventually effect all. If you can't make it here or you think you can't then don't come here and bring your family and realize you are all going to suffer.

Grendal

Sheikennotstirred · Joined: 30 Sep 2011 Posts: 28 Location: Saudi Arabia

I have only ever lived in and experienced the Eastern Province (= the richest area in the country, largely because of Aramco). The locals seem to know which side their shawarma is buttered, so to speak, so if they do feel any unbridled hostility toward us infidels they seem to have learned to hide it pretty well.

I have never had anyone be anything other than unfailingly polite, to my face at least. Students might be cheeky occasionally (I encourage this) but not once have I ever been faced with what I would actually call "disrespect", as is typical on a daily basis even in good schools back in the States.

Then again, I'm male, white, over 30, have a beard, and speak some basic Arabic phrases. If you are going to be an expat in Saudi, all these things help.

I've never heard of any Westerner being spat at or had rocks thrown at them in the Kingdom, ever, anywhere. Maybe it used to happen, or maybe it still happens in poorer parts of the Kingdom. Though there is plenty of poverty here even in the generally wealthy Eastern province, particularly in Shia areas (e.g. Qatif in the Dharan conurbation, Mubarraz in Al Hasa) and I've not had a problem with people from these areas.

Having said that, I don't have any close Saudi friends. Other Arabs and Westerners, sure. Actually, in my experience, it's the Levantine Arabs who have a harder time here (and generally hate it).

Oh, and it sure sucks to be a Bangladeshi laborer here. Try not to be one of those.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:09 pm Post subject:

Dear EricCC,

How you're treated will, in some measure (and speaking very generally) depend on where you are. Saudis on the coasts tend to be more accepting rather than xenophobic (I spent four years in Jeddah). In Riyadh, that changes - but it's still mostly accepting (I spent 15 years there). I've never lived/worked in, say, Buraidah (although I've been there), but I think most who have would agree that the level of xenophobia there is certainly higher than in Jeddah or Riyadh.
And, of course, much will depend, as well, on "current events", especially those that take place in or affect the Middle East. When we kicked Saddam out of Kuwait, we were (again, speaking generally) heroes; when we invaded Iraq, we were (ditto) villains.

Regards,
John

JerkyBoy · Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Posts: 485