MattSavage

Hi, my name's Matt and I'm scheduled to move to Riyadh in a month; I've given notice to work but it is revocable. It's largely because of the career opportunity, although I have lived in Istanbul for a while and enjoyed that a lot, so cultural experience is an interest.

I'm not naive, so appreciate that KSA is much more unorthodox from a Western view, but I'm curious how much this might affect my quality of life, if anyone could give me a heads-up. A few things about me: the salary is okay, so I can afford to entertain myself; I've opted to live on a compound with other employees of a British company; I'm a weekend-only drinker in England, a football-watcher and a runner; I'm looking forward to unusual outdoor pursuits and life in the desert generally. My biggest concern, though, is interactions with women and what life will really be like for a currently single and non-Muslim (atheist) male. The brutal truth would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance, Matt.

Bob

Welcome to BE and good luck!

There's a few threads on the KSA that might be worth having a look at, especially the one about single females, might give you an idea of what the place is like...

flares

Lots of opportunity for all of the above. You will need to fall into the correct social circles though.

Riyadh Road Runners - there's been threads on this before. Join their mailing list.

The Embassies are holding Euro 2012 viewing nights. You need to be invited/on the list. All about networking.

Good luck w the move

mentalist

A simple tip. Keep your atheism to yourself. Saudis actually prefer Christians to non-believers. As for women, do what I did when I was single and take regular holidays to nearby places like Ethiopea or Kenya or get yourself a secret housemaid.

jackthehat

'Life in Riyadh' - Is that an Oxymoron?

MattSavage

Cheers fellas. How many people tend to live on the compounds? Are there many single women around?

Bob

Everyone tends to live on compounds, it's the basis of a social life it would seem.

lostinthedust

Whichever compound you will be on will be mainly families and single men. The single women are mostly employed by hospitals and schools and typically have their own compounds. Some of the hospital compounds have restrictions on males visiting females. I'm sure you are aware of the restrictions of opposite sex mixing in public, and this applies to westerners as well. If you must (I am by no means recommeding it, but it does happen) be very, very careful about going out in public with a single women, particularly one of a different race (don't mean to sound racist but its the truth). In fact, settle in and get a feel for Riyadh before you start worrying about dating.

goonerseba

My advice is simple and not meant to be harsh - but honest.

In your first 6 months concentrate on 2 things - your job and the road.

Anything else that emerges or comes along in that time will be a bonus.

good luck...

weasel decentral

There are not that many unusual outdoor pursuits in the desert, aside from some motorised dune bashing and some walking (or hashing as they call it). That's about it.
Interaction with women will be limited mainly to your compound or company if they employ some, and maybe a few random women here and there. After one month there single women will be able to smell your desperation and see it as block capitals written in your eyes

There are always a few muppets who come on here and say how Saudi was the greatest socialising time of their lives, ignore this. These people are usually ones who can't function in a normal western environment but flourish under these conditions. Think of your local community or residents association at home but in this case you are forced to join as its the only show in town.

Your bed isn't going to collapse due to the structural damage caused by carving notches into the bedposts

Alexa

I am not a muppet.

goonerseba

Alexa

See weasel decentral's post above mine.

weasel decentral

whoops sorry I knew I had fought with someone over this before, couldn't remember who. Apologies that was rather crudely put, in my defence I would plead anger due to bad european championship results.
However the point stands that 95% of people don't have a great time in KSA, with some honourable exceptions such as yourself.

/grovelling

spartans53

Send me a PM and I'll put you in touch with Riyadh Road Runners. That should help with the social side as well. Take your time and if someone invites you to anything go along and network like mad.

Mike