I live in Saudi Arabia. AMA!

[Shmithecat]

I still hear so many daft claims about certain aspects of living in KSA. Happy to confirm or deny what you've been told!

Why does it feel like you're blaming OP for the human rights of KSA?
People fought and died so we could have freedom and choices, and she made the decision that the LSA would be the best place for her to raise a family and advance in life.

Yes the KSA has horrible human rights records. That isn't the fault of the OP, ANY EXPAT OR THE ORDINARY SAUDI CITIZEN.
It's the fault of the leadership and that's where your anger needs to be directed not at someone trying to provide for their family.

Was that directed at me? I asked a question about South Africa because on another thread I was shocked that parents made an active choice to move there during human rights abuses and give validity to the regime. I think OP has to expect these kinds of questions- she can't be blamed for the human rights record but she cannot expect not to criticised for turning a blind eye to them for financial gain.

Etymology23
So, why don’t the laws apply in your compound? Why is there no requirement to cover up? 1200 houses is like a large village - I just struggle with why those laws don’t apply but others (e.g. against stealing?) presumably do?

Because there's no way most Western expats would even consider living 'outside' in Saudi and the KSA government know it. KSA is still developing and needs expats to help with that, so the ability to live relatively 'normally' behind a walled mini city without having to follow Islamic dress codes etc is a fair compromise.

Why aren’t Saudi’s allowed to live in the compound? Do the same lack of laws apply in Saudi compounds?

It's up to the owner of the compounds who they lease the units to. The owner of my compound feels that it's a far nicer, more relaxing environment for westerners without practising/conservative Muslims there. And it is. Saudi compounds are slightly different. There more like exclusive housing developments. No armed guards etc. No big outer walls encasing them.

Do you feel disempowered by your husband having to sign your exit visa? I can see you clearly trust him totally but I think that sort of thing would make me feel jolly uncomfortable.

Not disempowered. More frustrated that I can't do certain things for myself. Yeah, I do trust dh implicitly. No point in being his dw if I didn't!

It was more a general thing.
I agree she can't be blamed one bit for the human rights abuses just like American citizens can't be blamed for the torture that America has and still does carry out or ordinary Chinese citizens can't be blamed for the authority state that has a controlling and undemocratic government.

I don't think she has turned a blind eye, I think she recognises they're there, doesn't believe in them, however can do no more.

Generally speaking those 'ordinary citizens' you referred to already live in those countries though, they don't make an active decision to move to them with knowledge of the human rights record because they won't have to pay tax. And OP isn't an ordinary citizen, ordinary citizens of Saudi aren't even allowed to live in her complex.

LunaTrap
Thanks for your answer OP. I'm curious about why South Africa during apartheid would be a step too far, but the brutality of Saudi Arabia isn't.

Honestly, because of the physical segregation in SA, and the violence that would impact on everyday life there. There's still the odd bit of sex segregation in Saudi ie no single men in shops like La Senza, Family (and single women) sections in restaurants separate from Singles (men without women) sections etc. But that doesn't affect me going about everyday life. It doesn't make me feel threatened. I feel it would've done in SA.

Yes the KSA has horrible human rights records. That isn't the fault of the OP, ANY EXPAT OR THE ORDINARY SAUDI CITIZEN.
It's the fault of the leadership and that's where your anger needs to be directed not at someone trying to provide for their family.

Exactly Train.

Sorry but it sounds intolerable to me. I’m glad you’re happy but there’s no way on earth I could live like that

It's easier to have a pop at me on the internet, whilst declaring the moral high ground. Yes, we earn money in Saudi. So does almost every single major company/brand/food product/cosmetic company/airline/car manufacturer etc etc in the world. I sincerely hope that Mousse et al are giving those companies as hard a time as they're trying to give me by at least boycotting their products and services. Somehow though, I think not. Hypocrisy at its finest. Or maybe a monthly direct debit to Amnesty International is enough to stop them from being morally reprehensible. 🤷‍♀️

Aintnothingbutaheartache
Sorry but it sounds intolerable to me. I’m glad you’re happy but there’s no way on earth I could live like that

You never know until you try

Shmithecat not giving it a go any time soon!

OP, I live offshore working for a global law firm and I don't pay tax either. Thankfully the little island I live on doesn't have such human rights issues (but is the second most expensive place to live apparently...)

It's easy to point the finger and accuse someone of not giving a shit about human rights, until you're offered a chance to give your children amazing education and a fantastic start in life.

Very few people would turn that opportunity down.

Moussemousse your bleating on is tedious because you're not making any relevant or coherent points. You seem to want the OP to answer for all the sins of the Middle East but you're not smart enough to realize she's not responsible...

Yeah fantastic start in life, great education but I think people are really missing the human rights issues here.
What if your kid is gay?

You were mad to ever post this OP.and I feel for you. Rich Gulf countries are despised on here, they are an excellent way of making unhappy people feel better about their shitty selves. The heady mix of oil and money.makes them fair game. Maybe we should all move to Somalia or Sudan and really enjoy the real issues in the world, the keyboard warrior mummies do fuck all to help the world.and the real actual issues and are best ignored.

Great thread! Thanks OP

What's the milk like there? And the teabags? can you make a nice brew ?

Most of the milk and milk products sold throughout the Gulf region are produced in Saudia Arabia by a company called Al Marai. Other countries do have their own dairy farms but they can’t keep up with the quantities needed.

@Moussemoose the OP is about as responsible for the issues you raise as you are for kids continuing to be abused in the UK or disabled folk having benefits cut etc. Give it a bloody break eh? You've made your point and are now looking like a bit of an arse who's spoiling for a fight. Trot along now.

Fascinating thread. Thank you OP.

I've had a few chances to work in the ME, but decided against as I didn't want the restrictions (female). It's interesting to read about what could've been though

I think you're getting a hard time OP. I couldn't live there but willing to believe that I might feel differently if there was an extremely lucrative job opportunity.

Do you worry about your son growing up and thinking the kind of things going on there are ok? And/or do you intend to shield him from it as much as possible?

Aintnothingbutaheartache
Yeah fantastic start in life, great education but I think people are really missing the human rights issues here.

No, no one's missing it. Not that i wasn't aware of it in the first place, but for avoidance of doubt, Mousse is making sure I don't forget..

What if your kid is gay?

He'll be fine. There are gay people in Saudi you know.

That's why the blockade is so lush! We have our own fresh milk now and imports are cheap and from the UK a lot. I appreciate that my take on world events is quite selfish but I love Qatar. Did 7 years in Saudi and here is much nicer. But life in Saudi is ok, good money and nice housing. My husband is stuck in Dubai which is the worst. Qatar and Saudi have such genuinely good people; local education and vision to develop into self sufficiency. Dubai is just a load of brash and not very bright Brits being paid too much

JJS888

You were mad to ever post thisOP.andI feel for you.

I knew that before I posted... All part of the fun!

Rich Gulf countries are despised on here, they are an excellent way of making unhappy people feel better about their shitty selves. The heady mix of oil andmoney.makesthem fair game. Maybe we should all move to Somalia or Sudan and really enjoy the real issues in the world, the keyboard warrior mummies do fuck all to help theworld.andthe real actual issues and are best ignored.

Lots of Somalians and Sudanese live in Saudi too... I wonder how Mousse et al feel about that.

MrsMozart
Fascinating thread. Thank you OP.

You're welcome!

I've had a few chances to work in the ME, but decided against as I didn't want the restrictions (female). It's interesting to read about what could've been though

Maybe if the opportunity arose again, you might change your mind.

That's pretty flippant tbh OP. I assume you are aware of the treatment of gay men in the country where you live?

How do any of you actually know? You can't believe everything you read in the Guardian. We actually live there and you don't seem to have a great deal of knowledge of anything apart from school runs.