Is there anywhere in Riyadh that unmarried couples can go?

Jail?

Or that open ground where they lop people's heads off?

Apart from the obvious wedding ring - although the third finger, left hand is not so obvious becasue in Spain its the third finger, right hand - I have always wondered how - and who - would identify that a couple are not married ? (I'm talking Saudi and Riyadh here as per the OP).

I shop in malls and see many, many couples of mixed nationalities (europeans/asians/filipinos/malaysians) and have no idea whether they are marrried or not. You assume automatically, as they are out together that they are.

I am not for a moment suggesting that you should flout or disregard this rule in Saudi, but if you and your "lady friend" were to abide by the discretionary rules when out together, why or who would assume you were unmarried and cause you any grief ?

Answers on a postcard....

Had this conversation with the missus the other day. Her culture, like many has a tradition where women do not take their husband's family name - only the children take that. They also only adopted wedding rings recently and it's not widespread. Glad we don't live in Saudi.

The prevailing custom in the region is the opposite. I know Spanish and Chinese women (to mention a two cultures) would have to take their wedding papers with them everyone if there were regular checks like in Saudi because they don't take their husband's name.

N.

Wifey's new passport has "WIFE OF <my surname>" in it.

One way round it, I guess.

(I've heard one reason for this is to avoid child-smuggling accusations, when a mother travels with her children without sharing a surname...)

I spent 2 years pretending to be married whilst out in the malls. recently done the deed and made an honest women of her in Bahrain.

apart from shopping maybe once a week, never on a friday, we spent all our time together on compounds.

I think the name issue is less relevant than people think as Arabic women tend not to take their husband's name.

Agree

More and more women don't take their husband's name on marriage. No need to be 'Mistress of xxx' these days.