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AMA
Original poster

I live in Saudi Arabia. AMA!

876 replies

Shmithecat · 21/07/2018 00:02

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

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7
delphguelph · 23/07/2018 12:59

I agree, beach.

Give the OP a sodding break.

delphguelph · 23/07/2018 13:01

HattieAndHerBoy

Thanks.

QueenoftheSilverDollar12 · 23/07/2018 13:07

@PolkerrisBeach exactly. It must be great being so self righteous all the time. As I said earlier, they'd better watch their halos don't slip and choke them 😉

Original poster
Shmithecat · 23/07/2018 13:11

BestBeforeYesterday
Very few people would turn that opportunity down.
You're wrong about that. I know a number of people who were offered jobs in the ME, and only one of them accepted. I think most people DO have moral objections to making money from a country governed in that way, and many don't want to live the expat life.

8odd million expats in Saudi would disagree....

The OP has basically said they are only in it for the money and are going to leave asap, which is another way of saying she actually finds it shit. I don't know why some posters seem to be reading "it's a nice place to live" into her replies.

It's a fascinating place to live. No one, including me, has said it's 'nice'. Some days I do find it shit. Other days it's pretty ok. Overall, it's worth it for the money, which enables us to provide what we want for our ds long term. I have no qualms about that whatsoever.

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BestBeforeYesterday · 23/07/2018 13:54

8odd million expats in Saudi would disagree....
That's the people who have said yes, not those who didn't go.

I have no qualms about that whatsoever. Good for you. Doesn't mean it's a dubious choice though.

Original poster
Shmithecat · 23/07/2018 14:17

PolkerrisBeach, the food is wonderful. Yes, lots of that, fresh herbs, flat breads, anything with chick peas (Yemeni food is my fave). Ful might be my favourite breakfast ever.

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Original poster
Shmithecat · 23/07/2018 14:18

Doesn't mean it's a dubious choice though.
By whose standards?

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HattieAndHerBoy · 23/07/2018 16:22

Ful might be my favourite breakfast ever

I agree. But I also enjoy Shakshuka.

Electrascoffee · 23/07/2018 17:22

Is it true that government officials try to force people who are visiting on business to watch public executions?

Original poster
Shmithecat · 23/07/2018 17:51

Electrascoffee
Is it true that government officials try to force people who are visiting on business to watch public executions?

Not that I know of! Where did you here that?!

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LunaTrap · 23/07/2018 18:00

7 men were beheaded in a single day about 4 days before this thread was started. I'm wondering is this reported locally, on the news, papers etc or is it not publicised? Thanks.

Electrascoffee · 23/07/2018 18:09

At school I had two friends who's fathers regularly did business trips to Saudi and they said they had complained of being pushed to the front of public executions. This was in the 90s though.

Original poster
Shmithecat · 23/07/2018 18:24

Electrascoffee
At school I had two friends who's fathers regularly did business trips to Saudi and they said they had complained of being pushed to the front of public executions. This was in the 90s though.

Oh. I'm not going to say it didn't happen because I don't know, but I'd wonder what a visiting businessman was doing anywhere near a grand mosque on a Friday in the first place...

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HattieAndHerBoy · 23/07/2018 18:26

At school I had two friends who's fathers regularly did business trips to Saudi and they said they had complained of being pushed to the front of public executions. This was in the 90s though.

The circumstances of an execution mean that any visiting foreign businessman in the vicinity of one was probably there deliberately.

HattieAndHerBoy · 23/07/2018 18:27

I cross posted with the OP.

Original poster
Shmithecat · 23/07/2018 18:36

LunaTrap
7 men were beheaded in a single day about 4 days before this thread was started. I'm wondering is this reported locally, on the news, papers etc or is it not publicised? Thanks.

Yes, it's reported. I only follow the Saudi Gazette, and then only online (they have a very good EAL) but they do report some executions.

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xFreePeaceSweetx · 23/07/2018 23:23

What is Christmas like? Can you celebrate in the way you would normally (trees, big Turkey roast etc)?
What about tv and films? Are they very heavily censored?
What do you bring from the UK that you can't get there?

Original poster
Shmithecat · 23/07/2018 23:36

xFreePeaceSweetx
What is Christmas like? Can you celebrate in the way you would normally (trees, big Turkey roast etc)?

In the compound, yes. Decorations, trees, a visit from Santa for the kids, everything! But, obviously it's not recognised as a public holiday so unless it falls on a Friday or Saturday, it's just a normal working day.

What about tv and films? Are they very heavily censored?

Not that I've noticed but tbh, we just watch British tv/catch up/netflix etc through VPN.
Although they definitely do sensor them on Saudia Airlines. Whole scenes disappear sometimes 😂.
What do you bring from the UK that you can't get there?

Tampax. Certain toiletries and facecare. Lemon curd. Atora suet. Marmite. Branston Pickle. After Eights at Xmas! I'm sure there's more though.

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HattieAndHerBoy · 24/07/2018 04:53

Tampax. Certain toiletries and facecare. Lemon curd. Atora suet. Marmite. Branston Pickle. After Eights at Xmas! I'm sure there's more though

Im surprised by whats on that list because I can get all of named items where I am and its just a very small place.

DunesOfSand · 24/07/2018 06:42

Try a Lulus for marmite, pickle, curd and after 8s. All found on the east coast.

I bring vitamins, toothpaste for the kids (they hate Arabic colgate). Kids books and school uniform and school shoes if I have luggage space (much cheaper in uk). I try to buy my clothes in the UK as there are very few changing rooms. So yesterday I tried on 12 pairs of trousers in Next (uk) and bought 2. Given there is often a 3 day window for refund or 7 day or exchange I just don't buy clothes unless desperate.

BestBeforeYesterday · 24/07/2018 06:43

By whose standards?
By quite a number of people, judging by this thread alone.
You would never have got anyone criticising your choice if you'd moved to Canada, for example.

Original poster
Shmithecat · 24/07/2018 08:46

DunesOfSand
Try a Lulus for marmite, pickle, curd and after 8s. All found on the east coast

I've not tried Lulus - I've got Danube literally on the doorstep, Carrefour and Tamimi a short drive away. I'll have to venture further!

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JJS888 · 24/07/2018 09:53

There is nothing from that list not available!
Most from Carrefour.
Do you find you drink more in saudi? I dont drink but most of my friends there are functioning alcoholics. When they come to Qatar they cant get pissed in our shop bought wine. Note a huge amount of alkies here too, just don't have to depend on home brew Grin

Sevendown · 24/07/2018 17:21

When you say you can’t get tampax is it that Saudi women aren’t allowed tampons?

JJS888 · 24/07/2018 18:48

No that's another myth. It's just that most women in Arab coy tries take to their beds and take sick leave every month and the ridiculous doctors advise women to stay indoors and do nothing so they don't get "strained". So no need for tampons, no roller skating and dog walking Angry

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