Page 27 | I live in Saudi Arabia. AMA!

Shmithecat · 2018-07-20T23:02:57+00:00

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

showmethegin · 30/04/2019 13:04

In my opinion, death is death isn't meant to lessen the horror or public beheadings. It makes an attempt to increase the level of horror about all death penalties.

Just because the method is not chopping of someone's head in other places in the world makes it no less horrific, just more palatable for supporters of capital punishment.

Similar to how people say animals are killed 'humanely', you can't kill something humanely, it's an oxymoron. The killing of the animal is an intrinsically violent act.

showmethegin · 30/04/2019 13:05

*the horror of

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 30/04/2019 13:48

or crucifixions.

Shmithecat2 · 30/04/2019 13:50

@showmethegin
In my opinion, death is death isn't meant to lessen the horror or public beheadings. It makes an attempt to increase the level of horror about all death penalties.

Precisely. I think capital punishment is abhorrent, full stop. Whatever method of execution. None of it is palatable. But of course, quotes from my posts will always be cherry picked and taken out of context, or totally rewritten when quoted, claiming to have cut and pasted to suit the agenda of some people. Tis life.

LimeKiwi · 30/04/2019 13:55

If my son turns out to be gay and we're still living here (highly unlikely, but still), then I'll be telling them how to behave to avoid such arrests. All I can do, if I were to have a dd, is my very best to ensure that she never gets into any kind of scenario that would potentially end that dreadfully.

So if your son turns out to be gay he'd have to hide his true self and live a lie, and you'd just cross your fingers and hope that by giving your dd tips on how to stay safe she doesn't get raped?

LimeKiwi · 30/04/2019 13:55

Bold fail, top bit was quoting

Shmithecat2 · 30/04/2019 14:02

@LimeKiwi
So if your son turns out to be gay he'd have to hide his true self and live a lie, and you'd just cross your fingers and hope that by giving your dd tips on how to stay safe she doesn't get raped?

Yes. Because if he was gay, and we lived here, it would be the best way for him to avoid getting on the wrong side of a very horrid law. And yes, I'd ensure any daughter I had steered clear and stayed safe. That's all I can do.

But obviously that answer isn't good enough for you. What answer do you want?

grimupnorthLondon · 30/04/2019 14:10

I think she may be wanting you to say that if it were a choice between giving up a big salary and comfortable lifestyle in KSA and making your son live a lie, you would choose the former?

But good for you for feeling confident enough to post the opposite intention if that indeed reflects your actual view. I didn't think many people would openly admit to that.

LimeKiwi · 30/04/2019 14:34

Yes. Because if he was gay, and we lived here, it would be the best way for him to avoid getting on the wrong side of a very horrid law. And yes, I'd ensure any daughter I had steered clear and stayed safe. That's all I can do.But obviously that answer isn't good enough for you

Why say not good enough for you? I only asked the question once, and it is AMA.
Fair enough if so, but I cannot for the life of me fathom why you'd want to stay in a country where you say you'd encourage your ds to hide their true self (for fear of severe punishment) and if your dd got raped, it'd most probably be seen as her being the one punished.

I think she may be wanting you to say that if it were a choice between giving up a big salary and comfortable lifestyle in KSA and making your son live a lie, you would choose the former?

Was a genuine question, but yes, basically this is how I see it - it's all for money. No amount of money in the world would be enough for me but to some maybe it is.

LimeKiwi · 30/04/2019 14:47

That's a good question actually, I'll rephrase it to that

If it were a choice between having a big salary and comfortable lifestyle in KSA and making your son live a lie, would you still choose the former?*

bomanaise · 30/04/2019 15:34

I had a snoop around Riyadh on google earth and there seemed to be so few cars and people on the streets. Are the streets generally deserted because of the heat or is the down town area bustling busy (like New York or London) during the day?

Shmithecat2 · 30/04/2019 15:43

@bomanaise

Hell, no. The traffic here is shocking. Especially in the evenings and rush hour/school run time. I would bet that the pictures were taken on a Friday morning, that's the only time its quiet!

LimeKiwi · 30/04/2019 15:59

I didn't think many people would openly admit to that

Same

Shmithecat2 · 30/04/2019 16:00

@LimeKiwi

That's a good question actually, I'll rephrase it to that

If it were a choice between having a big salary and comfortable lifestyle in KSA and making your son live a lie, would you still choose the former?

No.

LimeKiwi · 30/04/2019 16:03

OK, thanks for answering

Is it a case then that it's OK for everyone else to live like that and the country's all fine and lovely, but if it actually starts to affect me I'm taking a plane out of there?
To me that's a bit I'm Alright Jack

Shmithecat2 · 30/04/2019 16:15

@LimeKiwi

I guess so. I think I've made it quite clear why we came here. Great job, great money. Certainly not for the Saudi lifestyle or love of Sharia law.

Orchidflower1 · 30/04/2019 17:23

Op- you mentioned about the google earth pictures probably being taken on a Friday ( obviously holy day). Are you able to go outside and do things as you would normally or is that discouraged. Are shops etc shut like a 1970s/ 80s Sunday here?

Windowsareforcheaters · 30/04/2019 17:39

@SeaEagleFeather

What I strongly object to on this thread - really strongly - is that some posters have distorted and misrepresented posts from the OP and others. Some of them have moved into downright dishonesty and a rather pathetic moral grandstanding

I don't disagree and if you point out and quote where this has happened I am sure we can discuss the points and come to a common understanding.

But you can't leave it there can you? Do you think by continually repeating and bleating on about what your seemingly paranoid and very overactive imagination conjures up

This is a quote from the OP. I don't think it is selective, it's quite a long quote. She is clearly stating she thinks the points I am making are based on lies. Many posters have pasted links from well respected sources that verify all accusations made about the Saudi governments actions.

Windowsareforcheaters · 30/04/2019 17:44

@showmethegin

I was simply saying that TO YOU what Saudi Arabia does is the absolute worst of the worst but others think differently. I think insidious racism and inherent misogyny dressed up as 'the land of the free' to be just as frightening. That is my choice

What has been said repeatedly is that the KSA is continually listed as one of the top ten worst countries for human rights abuses.

No one has mentioned 'worst of the worst'. The points I make are not simply based on my own opinions they are informed by the research of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch well respected international organisations.

Several posters have made comparisons with the U.K. and the US. Do you really think their is moral equivalence between the actions of the U.K. and the USA?

Human rights organisations do look at all the countries in the world and they identify abuses in lots of countries including the USA and the U.K. however the KSA is consistently and persistently in the top ten.

Shmithecat2 · 30/04/2019 17:47

@Orchidflower1
Op- you mentioned about the google earth pictures probably being taken on a Friday ( obviously holy day). Are you able to go outside and do things as you would normally or is that discouraged. Are shops etc shut like a 1970s/ 80s Sunday here?

Nothing really opens until at least 1pm, and then, only hypermarkets. After 4pm, everything opens, usually until 1am or 2am! Its very much a night owl lifestyle here. Mainly because of the heat. Most people do all their shopping/eating out etc at night.

justrestinginmybankaccount · 30/04/2019 18:01

Hello OP

I’d love to ask a question -

My DP works with Saudi gov - senior - and has been invited out and to bring family - all invitations have been so incredibly friendly and show a lovely interest in the children - gifts for them from Saudi have been received etc.

However we are not married, and the kids are not his! And I have a fear that we would be in huge trouble for visiting as a couple. Is it illegal?

My DP the eternal optimist shoos off my concerns.

Also I don’t like to be made feel my personal circumstance as a dirty secret!

The invitations (which I’ve listened to and read) have been really charming and friendly. And I would love to visit and get my own sense of this fascinating country.

Any insight?

Thank you!

Shmithecat2 · 30/04/2019 18:10

@Windowsareforcheaters - I don't disagree and if you point out and quote where this has happened I am sure we can discuss the points and come to a common understanding.

Smotheroffive did exactly this. I'll put screenshots rather than quotes, so you know that I haven't misquoted or edited to suit myself..

Pic 1

Shmithecat2 · 30/04/2019 18:11

So I called her out on it.

Shmithecat2 · 30/04/2019 18:16

And she denied it, saying she had cut and paste...

LimeKiwi · 30/04/2019 18:17

You did say though that if your DS turned out to be gay and you were still in the country you'd be telling him how to behave in public to resist arrest.
(Will go back through the thread and try to find it to link.)
Seeing as it is severe punishments for being gay, then did you mean that you'd be expecting him to hide his true identity and "pretend to be straight when out?