Riyadh - Embassy Events
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
Riyadh - Embassy Events
hello all - i just recently moved to riyadh with my husband. we're looking for social outings and have heard that the embassies hold gatherings - can someone please give me suggestions as to how to find out if/when events are going on? thanks much.
#2
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
I take it you are British?? or Irish ?? national please advise.
If you are British then if you are a teacher then no problems being invited to the British embassy, any other non teaching job , then sorry i have more chance of me being a male giving birth to a baby than getting an invite into the british embassy.
It seems you need to be in the know.
I know people that have been here 6 weeks as a teacher and they have been twice.
I also know many other people that have been here many years and a classic song from diana ross from 1970 i am still waiting.
Springs to mind.
There are a couple of other ways but they are costing a small amount of money.
The french embassy has some really nice social evenings and are open to most people.
If you are British then if you are a teacher then no problems being invited to the British embassy, any other non teaching job , then sorry i have more chance of me being a male giving birth to a baby than getting an invite into the british embassy.
It seems you need to be in the know.
I know people that have been here 6 weeks as a teacher and they have been twice.
I also know many other people that have been here many years and a classic song from diana ross from 1970 i am still waiting.
Springs to mind.
There are a couple of other ways but they are costing a small amount of money.
The french embassy has some really nice social evenings and are open to most people.
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
Rather than making a new thread, I decided to bump this one. I'm new to Riyadh and I've already heard about embassy events through blogs and other sources, but I'm not sure how to get information about these events.
I understand that much of the expat social scene here is mostly through networking or word of mouth, so I wanted to ask if anyone could offer me some information (either as a reply or through PM/email) on the best ways to learn about embassy events, as well as social groups and gatherings in general?
I'm a new member to these boards, so if someone needs me to prove that I am who I say I am, I have no problem with that. I'm American by the way, and a teacher Thanks!
I understand that much of the expat social scene here is mostly through networking or word of mouth, so I wanted to ask if anyone could offer me some information (either as a reply or through PM/email) on the best ways to learn about embassy events, as well as social groups and gatherings in general?
I'm a new member to these boards, so if someone needs me to prove that I am who I say I am, I have no problem with that. I'm American by the way, and a teacher Thanks!
#4
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
Hi please drop me a pm with your telephone number i will contact you with deatils of the USA Embassy
there is an US.embassy event on this evening. this week there has been the French, Italy ,Dutch and the Irish.
there is an US.embassy event on this evening. this week there has been the French, Italy ,Dutch and the Irish.
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
CoffinDodger,
I'm also an American and a teacher and I've sat home enough already. Embassy-sponsored events sound attractive, but, my chief interest is to get out of the hotel to meet expats who know the city and who have destinations in mind.
I'd love you to assist.
Thanks
I'm also an American and a teacher and I've sat home enough already. Embassy-sponsored events sound attractive, but, my chief interest is to get out of the hotel to meet expats who know the city and who have destinations in mind.
I'd love you to assist.
Thanks
#6
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
CoffinDodger,
I'm also an American and a teacher and I've sat home enough already. Embassy-sponsored events sound attractive, but, my chief interest is to get out of the hotel to meet expats who know the city and who have destinations in mind.
I'd love you to assist.
Thanks
I'm also an American and a teacher and I've sat home enough already. Embassy-sponsored events sound attractive, but, my chief interest is to get out of the hotel to meet expats who know the city and who have destinations in mind.
I'd love you to assist.
Thanks
#9
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
I take it you are British?? or Irish ?? national please advise.
If you are British then if you are a teacher then no problems being invited to the British embassy, any other non teaching job , then sorry i have more chance of me being a male giving birth to a baby than getting an invite into the british embassy.
It seems you need to be in the know.
I know people that have been here 6 weeks as a teacher and they have been twice.
I also know many other people that have been here many years and a classic song from diana ross from 1970 i am still waiting.
Springs to mind.
There are a couple of other ways but they are costing a small amount of money.
The french embassy has some really nice social evenings and are open to most people.
If you are British then if you are a teacher then no problems being invited to the British embassy, any other non teaching job , then sorry i have more chance of me being a male giving birth to a baby than getting an invite into the british embassy.
It seems you need to be in the know.
I know people that have been here 6 weeks as a teacher and they have been twice.
I also know many other people that have been here many years and a classic song from diana ross from 1970 i am still waiting.
Springs to mind.
There are a couple of other ways but they are costing a small amount of money.
The french embassy has some really nice social evenings and are open to most people.
#10
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
I've been in Riyadh for 5 weeks and just from chatting to people on my compound have been invited to the Dutch Embassy and the next British embassy's evening. I don't know why you think you have to be a teacher to be invited, as im certainly not. My advice to the poster would be to talk to people, get in with the right crowd and you'll get the invites.
I have been to many others with out any problems.
With only 3 months left here before i move to Al Khobar / Bahrain daily
i have invites to the Dutch Embassy this weekend, The USA black tie event. The Irish Embassy which for me is the best one of all the embassy social evenings. The Italian embassy
This is all before the 14th of Dec.
When i fly out on my holls.
The British embassy for me is a waste of time they offer very little .
Yes i know its a small place but it should be open to brits first then who ever later.
Just my 10 hala's worth.
As i have said i know of BMI Trolly dollies, and non britsh teachers, been invited in to the embassy before any british nationals.
#11
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
I have been here in Riyadh for nearly 2 years and NOT once have i been into the British embassy.
I have been to many others with out any problems.
With only 3 months left here before i move to Al Khobar / Bahrain daily
i have invites to the Dutch Embassy this weekend, The USA black tie event. The Irish Embassy which for me is the best one of all the embassy social evenings. The Italian embassy
This is all before the 14th of Dec.
When i fly out on my holls.
The British embassy for me is a waste of time they offer very little .
Yes i know its a small place but it should be open to brits first then who ever later.
Just my 10 hala's worth.
As i have said i know of BMI Trolly dollies, and non britsh teachers, been invited in to the embassy before any british nationals.
I have been to many others with out any problems.
With only 3 months left here before i move to Al Khobar / Bahrain daily
i have invites to the Dutch Embassy this weekend, The USA black tie event. The Irish Embassy which for me is the best one of all the embassy social evenings. The Italian embassy
This is all before the 14th of Dec.
When i fly out on my holls.
The British embassy for me is a waste of time they offer very little .
Yes i know its a small place but it should be open to brits first then who ever later.
Just my 10 hala's worth.
As i have said i know of BMI Trolly dollies, and non britsh teachers, been invited in to the embassy before any british nationals.
#12
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
The hardest part of getting an invite is knowing the people with access to the events. As a lot of expats live on compounds theres normally opportunity to socialise with people that have the right contacts. You don't have to be British to get an invite, as long as you know the right people. Its a bit silly really, personally I'd rather go to the American embassy. I do agree that Brits should get preferential treatment though when it comes to invites.
The good ole USA embassy is rather easy to get into,
The same the french, Italian, Dutch, South Africian. Irish. to name a few.
Unless you are a member of the secret squirrels club of which you have to pay about 350 riyals a years depending on which club you join!!!!
But it beggs the question why should you pay to get access into YOUR embassy.
The rest of them you dont.
#13
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2010
Location: Riyadh
Posts: 8
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
I was dead excited about the first invite I got to the Embassy, had a decent enough night, but i'm not in any rush to go back there. That was in April and i've had maybe 7 or 8 invites to go back.
I've heard positive things about organised nights at the Irish Embassy, so might look to give that a try at some point in the future.
I've heard positive things about organised nights at the Irish Embassy, so might look to give that a try at some point in the future.
#14
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
The Irish is by far the best i have been to here.
Tickets are hard to obtain, but if you can then good luck to you.
Tickets are hard to obtain, but if you can then good luck to you.
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2010
Location: Riyadh
Posts: 8
Re: Riyadh - Embassy Events
I'll give it a bash mate, can't be too hard. Usually just ringing these places up and asking what the score is seems to be enough.