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!

I don't think anyone on this thread has defended the awful things that do happen in Saudi Arabia? This is an AMA and OP has answered the questions asked of her...

What is the reason that people aren’t allowed to wear the niqab in the compound?
Do you have any Muslim residents? (As in expats in your compound)

You talk about racism in the country, can you expand on this? How does it manifest? I know in Dubai it is very blatant and widespread, will impact on your job, pay, rights, is it the same in SA?

I’ll be totally honest, I am someone who would never visit Dubai because of its human rights record, and I do find it frustrating that people go there for the shiny shops without researching (or caring?) what it was built for/it’s history.

Unsurprisingly, I feel the same about SA but i’ll Confess to knowing significantly less about it and I am genuinely glad that you’ve posted this thread as it has been really very interesting, so thank you.

Thank you i have really enjoyed this thread (obviously ignoring the hecklers!).

I have to visit Saudi for the first time later this year as have a small client out there. I am used to doing business in the middle East but this has been an interesting and informative read.

PseudoBadger
We don't pay tax....
And there’s the answer for you Moussemoose

I was stating a fact - mousse was banging on about paying tax into a regime. We don't

The people defending KSA seem unable to understand that people do exist who, even though they scrape by and dream of the best in life for their children, over their dead body would they go and work in such a place. Money before morals.

What have I defended?

MillieMoodle
I don't think anyone on this thread has defended the awful things that do happen in Saudi Arabia? This is an AMA and OP has answered the questions asked of her...

No, you're right, no one has defended the awful things. Including me.

Mooey89
What is the reason that people aren’t allowed to wear the niqab in the compound?
Do you have any Muslim residents? (As in expats in your compound)

The compound wants to create a home from home atmosphere and is aimed at Westerners, so nothing ultra religious is allowed, including clothing. Yes, there are some Muslims, albeit liberal Muslims who want the relative freedom and comfort afforded in a compound. No Saudis are allowed to live in the compound.

You talk about racism in the country, can you expand on this? How does it manifest? I know in Dubai it is very blatant and widespread, will impact on your job, pay, rights, is it the same in SA?

Yes. Exactly the same. With no laws to combat the discrimination.

I’ll be totally honest, I am someone who would never visit Dubai because of its human rights record, and I do find it frustrating that people go there for the shiny shops without researching (or caring?) what it was built for/it’s history.

Unsurprisingly, I feel the same about SA but i’ll Confess to knowing significantly less about it and I am genuinely glad that you’ve posted this thread as it has been really very interesting, so thank you.

As is your prerogative. And you're welcome.

Somersetlady
Thank you i have really enjoyed this thread (obviously ignoring the hecklers!).

I have to visit Saudi for the first time later this year as have a small client out there. I am used to doing business in the middle East but this has been an interesting and informative read.

If you have any more questions before your visit I'd be happy to answer them if I can, if OnTheHill doesn't get in there first.

OnThisHill
OP
I don't think you are who you say you are.
And, I don't believe you're a woman.
Of course, before you ask, I can't prove it, so let's call it a hunch.
This has been interesting.

Oh well.

Sorry but I’ve had family members live in Saudia Arabia ( men ) they don’t describe it like you do at all.
It’s an absolute tragedy for women over there.

YoYotheclown
Sorry but I’ve had family members live in Saudia Arabia ( men ) they don’t describe it like you do at all.
It’s an absolute tragedy for women over there.

What are you sorry for?

What are you sorry for?

That you choose to live on a compound in SA.
Then come on here to say it’s not the place we all imagined it to be.

She still lives in the country.
She is still aware of the laws and customs.
She still goes outside the compound do does see life if day to day saudi Arabia.

That you choose to live on a compound in SA.

I do leave it occasionally .. lots of Saudis live in private compounds. Do they not know the country they live in either?

Then come on here to say it’s not the place we all imagined it to be.

I've said no such thing. I've answered questions based on my experience of living there for the past 5 years. But your use of the word 'imagined' is rather poignant, if somewhat ironic.

Simply by choosing to live there, take their money and spend it there, you are defending it. You are.
And then we get a good dose of ‘whataboutery’ to try to dilute the arguments.

Train101
She still lives in the country.
She is still aware of the laws and customs.
She still goes outside the compound do does see life if day to day saudi Arabia.

Exactly!

PseudoBadger
Simply by choosing to live there, take their money and spend it there, you are defending it. You are.

No, I'm really not.

And then we get a good dose of ‘whataboutery’ to try to dilute the arguments.

I'm not trying to dilute anything. Just address of bit of hypocrisy.

I do leave it occasionally hmm.. lots of Saudis live in private compounds. Do they not know the country they live in either?

You’re not a Saudi. You’re there to make money and leave. That’s it.
So not really the same thing Is it.

Of course OP is there to make money so she can provide the best life for her son. And?

She still knows the country though?
How does not being Saudi mean she doesn't know what's like to live there?

It's like saying to any migrant in the UK, don't talk to me about life here as you're not British. Sounds stupid doesn't it?

YoYotheclown
You’re not a Saudi. You’re there to make money and leave. That’s it.
So not really the same thing Is it.

I never said I was a Saudi! I was responding to the rather odd comment you made that because I live in a compound, I don't know the country. I've friends who've lived in the country for 30/40 years. In a compound. Do they not know Saudi either?

Yes, we are there for financial reasons. But we still live there. How bizarre.

corporal punishment
Torture
Capital punishment
Human trafficking
Women’s rights
Racism
Freedom of religion and beliefs
Political freedom
LGBT rights.
☝️
You know this and still feel it’s ok to defend your lifestyle there ? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Well, yes Yoyo. Because I don't support any of that, neither does the money my dh earns. Tell me, are you aware of how many international businesses trade in Saudi? Do you boycott them because they too are earning money from Saudi?

Those, not them. Dreadful sentence construction 🙈

You know a lot of the policies happen in other countries too.
Why should the OP need to defend what she does?
She lives there not rules it. It isn't her fault.

Great thread. Really interesting. I have friends and family who have lived in SA and loved it. Clearly the country has significant serious issues but it's also clearly a period of great change. Some people will never be satisfied that slow progress is better than no progress. I think you're getting a needlessly hard time on this thread and some people are just gunning for a fight!