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!

People go for money, but it’s also for the experience of living in a different environment. I know people who lived in Saudi Arabia and enjoyed it.

can't go to "chop, chop square" because body parts might be displayed

What a relief all the beheadings take place somewhere I don't go

. This is somewhere you 'choose' to live...with children, how gross that anyone supports this country, who also stone to death.

Yet Western governments, and by extension, their citizens, have no problem allowing Saudis to buy Western properties and businesses, or trade with them. By extension, if you, as a citizen of a Western country, are not protesting this, you have no problem with that country or its elites.

Haven't RTFT

BUT.

Have they ever dealt with the fact that the 9/11 terrorists came from there??

I'm in NY (as a tourist) and was at the 9/11 Memorial yesterday on an official tour given by volunteers who were both in the Twin Towers at the time and survived it. (Heartbroken doesn't even come close to how I feel).

The ground under your feet there is a mass grave as so many people were totally obliterated....

How do you feel about the Saudi daughters having to escape SA and being hunted down to bring them back?

How do you feel about the Saudi journalist being murdered and dismembered in the embassy in Turkey?
While applying for a marriage permit.

Just wondering...

No amount of money in the world would make me want to live there or be part of it.

there's no stabbings, gang culture, acid attacks etc

None where I live either. In Europe...

there's no stabbings, gang culture, acid attacks etc

That doesn't come close to balancing out the horror

Is every American citizen bad because they've a racist and sexist president?

Oh for fucks sake! Our president is not a racist or a sexist.

Yes Trump is racist. People who worked for him have commented on his racism. Housing discrimination against African Americans, for which his company was fined, advancing the “birther” controversy, his comments on the Central Park jogger case, stating in an interview laziness is “a trait in blacks”. Just yesterday he congratulated the NFL’s second draft pick, who is a white Trump supporter, rather than, or together with the first round draft pick, who is African American.

He’s also sexist. Just read some of his comments about women!

@FollowYourOwnNorthStar

Hi OP - fascinating thread, thank you for being so good humoured and patient with all your responses. I am up to message 300 (and will keep reading!) but I wanted to jump in early and ask some questions:

My pleasure, mostly.. .

How old are you and your husband? I’ve just Read your husband has been in his industry for 30 years, so he must be in his 50s? But you have a young child? (Sorry if this is too personal).

Yes, we're 'older' parents.

Do you plan to have more children? You answers seem to focus on a future for only one. (Again, I apologise if this is too personal).

Nope, one is enough for us!

It sounds like you are a great support to your husband.

I try.

Are there single men or women in your compound? Can they date? (Each other, or more widely in the community?) or is it rare that single expats come over as it would be a very big personal challenge?

Inside the compound, you can do what you like. Many many single expats live in saudi, from the singles I know, mainly teachers, some nurses, some physiotherapy/sports coaches. Those that I know have dated others, and have good social lives.

Thank you. I am really enjoying this thread and will keep reading the next 350 posts now!

Welcome

@FollowYourOwnNorthStar
Oh! I also wanted to ask about the home brew wine you mention..... so you can’t buy wine, even in your compound? Do many people make it?

Nope, all alcohol is totally illegal, unless it's in bars on foreign embassy grounds. Yes, some people have their ways and means..

@Segmentationfault
If your child was gay or reported a rape would you be okay with them being tortured?

Of course I bloody wouldn't, what a silly question.

@Nothankyounotforme
What changes would you like to see in the next 10 years?

I'd like to see changes to the racism in the country. Its horrid sometimes. Heartbreaking.

I would be really interested to hear more on this if you wouldn't mind? We are often fed the claim that the country I reside in is one of the most racist in the world (but I fail to see any evidence of this) so am wondering what it could be compared to?

Basically, the way you're treated depends on what country you come from, ime, and I do not know of any laws here that have been implemented to deter that. I know of one company md (not a saudi) who instructed one of his reports to hire for a position, but not to recruit any Egyptians because he didn't like them.

By the way, I am loving this thread and really appreciate your answers.

That's great

@Whizzler
Interesting thread.
Saudi Arabia sounds horrific.

Thanks, I think?..

@Smotheroffive
....everyone goes there for the money...so its worth it right?

For us, yes. Totally.

@Halo84
People go for money, but it’s also for the experience of living in a different environment. I know people who lived in Saudi Arabia and enjoyed it.

Exactly. I'm very grateful for the experience, to actually have some first hand knowledge of the country. Its very enlightening.

@Smotheroffive
This is somewhere you 'choose' to live...with children, how gross that anyone supports this country, who also stone to death.

Working here supports my family. A choice I'm totally ok with.

@Iflyaway
Haven't RTFT
BUT.

Have they ever dealt with the fact that the 9/11 terrorists came from there??

I'm in NY (as a tourist) and was at the 9/11 Memorial yesterday on an official tour given by volunteers who were both in the Twin Towers at the time and survived it. (Heartbroken doesn't even come close to how I feel).

The ground under your feet there is a mass grave as so many people were totally obliterated....

Yes, I've been there too and felt similar. What do you mean by 'dealt with'?

How do you feel about the Saudi daughters having to escape SA and being hunted down to bring them back?

I hope they manage to live life as they want, as I am lucky enough to. Everyone should have autonomy over their own life.

How do you feel about the Saudi journalist being murdered and dismembered in the embassy in Turkey? While applying for a marriage permit.

I think its awful, abhorrent.

Just wondering...

No amount of money in the world would make me want to live there or be part of it.

Ok then.

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

My DH was offered a ridiculous amount - and I mean ridiculous amount of money, a lot more than the OPs family income to go and work in KSA, it was an easy ‘no’ from us.

Fair play to you OP for coming on and telling us what your life is like.

I'm not sure isolating Saudi Arabia further would make it a more liberal country. Surely exposure to other ideas and norms brought by expats plants seeds of doubts over some of the more draconian practices. It might feel good to act sanctimonious about their practices but I don't think that's how progress is made.

I'd really like to work there (DP is in IT, so possibly lots of contract work), but where would we even start looking for job opportunities? Also, we a dog. Can a dog cope in a compound, or are they not allowed? Also, we have 2 DS's, 9&11. How much is school?

When I drive past that police station who is being tortured inside?

How would I know? How would anyone know?

Amnesty and HRW report regularly, they try to highlight cases. By publicising cases they want to focus a spotlight on the atrocities. There is a significant amount of publicity surrounding these cases because they are so horrific.

If you don't come across news about them I must assume you don't see much western media. The information is there and it's clear in the western press.

As it is the country you live in you might do some research.

Ignoring it does not make it go away. You are clearly able to pretend it is not happening where you live and it is not being paid for by the taxes you make for the regime.

Lots of other people couldn't.

Again the point was made about other countries. The KSA is always in the top 10 human rights abusers in the world. If nothing else avoid those countries it still leaves a lot of places to visit or live.

@Iflyaway
there's no stabbings, gang culture, acid attacks etc

None where I live either. In Europe...

Great! Where's that then?

@AmeriAnn

Is every American citizen bad because they've a racist and sexist president?

Oh for fucks sake! Our president is not a racist or a sexist.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@Leafyhouse
I'd really like to work there (DP is in IT, so possibly lots of contract work), but where would we even start looking for job opportunities?

Depends on what area of IT he's in. And if he's your DP as opposed to your DH, you'd have to married if you wanted to join him officially and live here together as a couple.

Also, we a dog. Can a dog cope in a compound, or are they not allowed?

A few breeds are banned, but yes, dogs are allowed. There are quite a few in our compound.

Also, we have 2 DS's, 9&11. How much is school?

The British International School fees for your DC would be 67kSAR and 87kSAR for the current school year, plus admission fees etc. That equates to roughly £13k and £17k. But most employers pay some towards it. Negotiating that as part of your package is standard.