Job Discussion Forums

[nomad soul]

Hmm... Gender separation, no alcohol, Internet censorship/blocking, no nightclubbing... Okay, I'm curious. Which sex appears to have the most difficult adjustment and/or squawks the loudest about living/working in the Kingdom? I ask because based on numerous forum comments, it seems like more expat men than women consider life here to be worse than it actually is. Whazzup with that? Am I wrong or am I wrong?

[veiledsentiments]

I'd say that any individual Western expat woman has more 'difficulties' to deal with, but there are so many more male teachers than female... and thus a large male whinge factor here... that it just seems worse for men.

Or...

The significantly larger number of jobs available for men means so many more really crappy jobs, which makes any deprivations loom larger.

And...

From my communication with various Western women who have gone to Saudi, it seems that more of the employers of these women require MAs and experience, thus drawing women who just have more experience coping with cultural issues.

VS

[nomad soul]

Makes sense. Plus, I'd say that the majority of my expat colleagues are here with their husbands/families and have that additional support, so I'd guess that most of the whinging probably comes from single expat men. But even us single women seem to manage life here without griping too much. I'd argue that we're better at networking and building a support system than the men. And ironically, I get the most support or assistance from the Saudi women I work with or come in contact with each day.