You don't have many Irish friends, then. I still remember clearly getting stuck at a remote French / Swiss border crossing (under armed guard) while they checked out my Irish friend, ten years ago...

and my best friend is Czech and married to a Pakistani Muslim with Pakistani surname. Neither of them have ever had any problems entering the UK.

as has been mentioned previoulsy Irish people had the same problem during the IRA days. Unfortunately the actions of a small minority in the British Muslim community have forced this situation. If British muslims hadn't bombed london there wouldn't be such tight security.

Anyway some ppl have probs and some dont... i have never had any probs whatsoever and have lived in the UK for over 15 yrs without any negative experiences whatsoever....

but anyway the bottom line is that b4 going somewhere new one researches what its like...and ppl do come 2 KSA well aware of the laws and rules and limitations.

If you go somewhere ... u shud go with an open mind ... no where ...no country is perfect and ok Saudi is pretty far down on that list but shit hole its not...so they are a little backward and life can be different and difficult but ppl manage and get by

I am the one and only...

It still amazes me that people can be so blunt. Don't you realise people use this site to make decisions that can change the rest of their lives and you come out with a p*shy comments like that - have a bit more wit for goodness sake.

They are obviously trying to find out about the place before moving there. Some people don't have the chance to visit the place before moving and hence they come on here.

Don't get me wrong, you're entitled to your opinion but I just think when people are trying to make big decisions posts like yours don't make it any easier.

...But the OP has already accepted the job in KSA. So the point being made is that these questions should have been asked before that stage.

Thank you for the response and support Chesney..

I am looking for information about what other experiences are in SA. I can however understand the comment that I should have investigated all about the place before accepting a job. Guess thats the risk taker and adventure in me. This will be a major adventure, at least I will be able to say that I had a go and wont die wondering what it is like.

It has been really interesting reading the replies.
Thanks everyone

A good point well made Chesney.

And whatever happened to your musical career?

If people use this site to make decisions that can change the rest of their lives, God help them. Lighten up CH, people ask for our opinions and that is all they get. We are not here to persuade newbies into either coming or staying away. Those decisions should be made elsewhere.

The difference between the UK and Saudi is in the UK I am unlikely to face two car loads of men armed with automatic weapons and explosives whose primary motivation is to murder myself and my family just because we are perceived to be of the wrong religion and are therefore marked for death.

And before you jump down my throat, yes I have lived in Saudi Arabia for a number of years - I got out before the real fun started. And yes, I have read the Koran and understand the difference between the vast Muslim Ummah and those fanatics who murder in the name of Allah. The cold, hard fact is that if you are a fair skinned non-muslim, you and your family are considered by a sizeable minority in that country to be dead meat.

The Saudi authorities have the lid on things at the moment but it's always below the surface waiting to go off. My pious muslim friends who live in various countries believe the same thing and personally wouldn't go there unless for Haj or Umrah when their [relative] safety is assured.

The sad thing is, Arab hospitality, custom and religion in it's purest form is an experience not to be forgotten - I have fond memories of my time in SA and those of us who live in Western Societies could learn much from that part of the world - but my first paragraph indicates why I will currently not go there and would advise anyone else not to.

Are you not confusing KSA with Somalia? You have an equal chance of getting blown up by terrorists living in Mainland Europe in my view, but I do agree that living in a completely muslim fundamentalist state is not ideal

anothe reason saudi is shit is because nobody answers the bllody phone....ever.....wankers :curse:

Ain't nobody i'd rather be....

Don't worry the music career is just on hold, my second one hit wonder will be hitting the shelves soon...

try living in Pakistan then....haha maybe i have just lived in some places that are probably as bad or nearly as bad as KSA so i am immune to the crap or i just am able to tune it out better

i still say there are a heck of a lot of ppl in saudi who like it and have been living here for a long time and have no issues so i suppose its all up to what kinda person u r

Dont do it not KSA (Sorry to offend but thats my opinion)