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!

This is a fab thread, thanks OP!

Moussemoose
Do you have any moral qualms about supporting a racist, misogynistic, homophobic regime that regularly brutalises it's own citizens and has an appalling human rights record both internally and externally?

Most theocratic countries had that kind of regime 600 years ago (or notably less than that). The country as it is today is not 100 years old yet. If nothing was being done now, yes I would have qualms. But changes are being made, not fast enough for anyone's liking, but I don't have enough qualms to turn down an opportunity to give my son the best life I can. All our ancestors, including yours, would have lived and worked under similar regimes. Do you despise them too?

By going there and normalising the regime you are by default supporting it.
By going there I get to experience and start to understand the country first hand. I don't like certain aspects of it but it's heading in the right direction.

strawberrry
This is a fab thread, thanks OP!

You're welcome!

At least here, apart from the sexism, racism and dirt, there's no stabbings, gang culture, acid attacks etc

I find this really interesting. Do you think it’s a relatively small price to pay (all of the rules that wouldn’t happen in the west) for the level of safety you feel overall?

I live in a general state of anxiety (not consumed by it, but its always on my mind) that I might be end up being a victim of burglary, acid attacks or other violent crimes that seem be on the rise in the UK. I feel uncomfortable leaving my house empty for a long time.

Reading this thread, I feel like I’d gladly follow rules of wearing loose clothing and the rest, in turn for feeling safer in day to day living.

So interesting! I’m confused by the crown prince, I thought that meant next in line so why are there so many changes to it?

How easy is it to practise a Christian faith?

All our ancestors lived under regimes like this in the past. There are lots of countries less than 100 years old that are free, modern and don't have appalling human rights records.

You justify taking blood money by saying it is for your son. Many, many people today and in the past refuse to engage with governments that commit atrocities even if that means they don't earn as much money. Some people put their own liberty at stake to confront murderous regimes.

The KSA seems legitimate because our government trades with them but it is not a small issue. The KSA is in breach of the Geneva Convention in relation to the civil war in Yemen. Amnesty International classify some of the acts of the KSA as war crimes. This is not small stuff. No changes are being made to the way the KSA is acting in Yemen. I could detail other examples.

Anyway, everyone else wants to talk about hedgehogs and shopping.

Onecutefox
Shmithecat, ha-ha, I meant myths like we hear here, like a woman cannot walk outside alone or a woman should cover the head otherwise she would be raped or stoned.
I read your thread and it looks like things are changing for better.

They really are. Things like women driving seem so ridiculous, way overdue etc. But it's huge for Saudi. Monumental. The Crown Prince really is progressive. Regular tourist visas etc. It's progress.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea
Are you a Hasher?
No, but I've always thought I might sign up. I am starting curling in September though 😂😂

Flaminghaggis
So interesting! I’m confused by the crown prince, I thought that meant next in line so why are there so many changes to it?
King Salman is not a well man. Possibly dementia. So MBS is doing most of the day to day stuff now. He's young and smart.

CraftyGin
How easy is it to practise a Christian faith?
You can practice any faith you like in your own home.

Moussemoose I sleep well. I know my son won't be left financially or educationally buggered by the appalling decisions consecutive governments have made and that I won't retire in poverty.

What's your feeling on those working in the UK during the Iraqi war?

Thank you for answering my question about healthcare upthread and I understand that your employer provides private health care, but I was curious to know if ordinary Saudi people have equal access to healthcare. I’m wondering about equality in the country.

Yes I am sure working for the KSA will leave you and your family financially secure. And if money is your God and your goal you will do a lot better than me and my family. I make myself even worse off by regularly donating money to Amnesty to help fight oppressive regimes.

I have political issues with a number of other regimes. I think moral questions were raised by the Iraq war. This is not my AMA thread.

I can't do everything, I can't change the world, I can't make everything better. What I can do is refuse to work for a regime responsible for war crimes. And yes it has been suggested I could work in the KSA, the person suggesting knew what the answer would be though.

So the answer to how you live with yourself is, you count the money - is that right?

I grew up in Dhahran in Saudi in the 90s. It was very different back then! I loved living there so much and I’ve never managed to acclimatise back to British weather. What lovely opportunity you are giving your son. If DH has a job that existed in Saudi, I’d go back in a shot!

Undercoverbanana
Thank you for answering my question about healthcare upthread and I understand that your employer provides private health care, but I was curious to know if ordinary Saudi people have equal access to healthcare. I’m wondering about equality in the country.

Ah, sorry . Yes, there a national health care system for Saudi citizens.

Can you wear bikinis and shorts in your compound. What about the armed guards in your compound. Do they not stare at you?

Moussemoose, yep, I open the safe, chuck all the notes on the bed, will around on it for a while, then count it, put it back in the safe, self- flagellate and then sleep like a baby.

Trialsmum
I grew up in Dhahran in Saudi in the 90s. It was very different back then! I loved living there so much and I’ve never managed to acclimatise back to British weather. What lovely opportunity you are giving your son. If DH has a job that existed in Saudi, I’d go back in a shot!

Ah, it's nice to have someone as morally bankrupt as me here 😁

ilovepixie
Can you wear bikinis and shorts in your compound. What about the armed guards in your compound. Do they not stare at you?

Yes, we can wear regular bikinis, swimsuits, shorts, vests etc. The armed guards are only at the security gates. The security inside our compound is mainly staffed by Filipino men. So not quite as conservative as the saudis

You say your son has lots of freedom. Do you think that you'd feel differently if you had a daughter? What I mean is, do the outside beliefs about women's dress and roles filter into your compound and do they inform the values of the children growing up inside? Do people in the compound talk about the gender inequality or is it something that's not discussed?

I love the idea of a truly international community which the compound sounds like it is. Do people keep to their own nationalities? Is the lingua franca English for all?

It's surprising that Saudi women outnumber men in terms of graduates from universities but then of course fall into trouble finding work because not many Saudi companies want to employ women. I remember reading somewhere the Crown Prince wanted to push this surplus of over qualified but under employed women into the jobs that expats have. How would the expats feel about that? Do you think it would ever happen?

Also, one last question. There are far more Saudi women STEM graduates than in more Westernised and egalitarian countries. Why do you think this is?

Sorry for the many questions but this is all really interesting

No opinions on human rights abuses in Yemen then?

Women in STEM: this is me just thinking out loud.

I’ve worked with many engineers from India and they have all said how annoyed the get when women take places at uni for engineering and then don’t work in the field. They do it to get a better (more qualified etc) husband, I wonder if the same would apply in Saudi to some extent.

So could you go to the mall in jeans, for example? Or would you have to wear an abaya?

Do you had a maid /nanny?

Do you miss the green of England?

The dryness and lack of trees and greenery would get to me after a while I think.

IfyouseeRitaMoreno
You say your son has lots of freedom. Do you think that you'd feel differently if you had a daughter? What I mean is, do the outside beliefs about women's dress and roles filter into your compound and do they inform the values of the children growing up inside? Do people in the compound talk about the gender inequality or is it something that's not discussed?

No, if ds was a dd, I'd still feel the same, but, that's because he's not 3 yet. The beliefs don't filter in to the compound (local attire, abayas etc are not allowed inside the compound and they're very strict about it) but for older girls, they will be expected to wear abayas on school buses, outside the compound etc. Something my son won't have to do... But if MBS is as good as his word, maybe it won't be a worry in a few years time? Gender equality is discussed in the compound just as much as it would be in the UK anywhere.

I love the idea of a truly international community which the compound sounds like it is. Do people keep to their own nationalities? Is the lingua franca English for all?

Yeah, lingua franca is English but you hear lots of different languages everywhere in the compound. Even in preschool, the children are taught French and Arabic. My son can barely speak English yet but it's nice to know he has the opportunity

It's surprising that Saudi women outnumber men in terms of graduates from universities but then of course fall into trouble finding work because not many Saudi companies want to employ women. I remember reading somewhere the Crown Prince wanted to push this surplus of over qualified but under employed women into the jobs that expats have. How would the expats feel about that? Do you think it would ever happen?

I think it's great, and it is starting to happen in earnest. Transport was an issue for women but now it's not, we'll see a lot more women working in places other than supermarkets and cosmetic shops.. I believe there are more women graduates than men as it's the only way women would have an opportunity to leave home basically. Young men have never had the restrictions so weren't as motivated. As women gain more legal independence, their presence will be felt more. Inshallah....

Also, one last question. There are far more Saudi women STEM graduates than in more Westernised and egalitarian countries. Why do you think this is?

I think because of the academic kudos that comes with such a qualification... There's still a massive snobbery/misconception that you can't get far in life without that kind of degree.

Sorry for the many questions but this is all really interesting

Not at all, I've enjoyed this thread myself immensely!