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Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Old Dec 16th 2009, 12:34 pm
  #16  
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by daveness
Hello all,

I'm 25, and have been offered a position in Riyadh. It's a 6 month contract, with them organizing the compound accommodation, and I can live with the restrictions in Saudi, particularly stricter Riyadh.

I did search this forum, but really wanted an updated view from other younger women and men over there now. I accept the fact there is no clubs, and 'fun' is confined to compounds.

My real question is: I'm sociable, and would get very bored only talking to young guys or men all the time. I also feel that being friends with women my age doesn't mean we're automatically jumping into bed at the first opportunity. Are girls my age in compounds still free to be themselves?

I'm not looking at stealing anybody's daughter, but you really do need sanity in places such as Riyadh, and if I'm basically ultra-restricted socially I'm feeling that would very much put me off taking this position. I see on this forum there has been a few females my age posting who work in Saudi, which I find quite refreshing given how unwelcoming it may appear to ambitious women.

The money is good, but as I'd only be going for 6 months, and am a UK resident, it's taxable. I'm not going home from work every night to get boozed up, so I suppose I'm really asking if there are specific compounds where me meeting a nice girl and being friends or anything more is socially acceptable? I'm worried some compounds are so family friendly or the opposite that it's either mayhem or peacefulness, with no in between.

Outwith compounds, I'm fully aware of the restrictions. Thanks for any information.

Note: Actually, how do the locals meet up to get married? From a Saudi female friend I hear it's not quite as pure-white as suggested. She wouldn't elaborate.
Hi Daveness, thought I would throw my pennies worth in also. I am a single guy here in Riyadh, been here for 8 months, and I can assure you that as long as you are on a decent compound you will have no problems in finding what you're looking for, life is pretty good here Good luck with the move!

Last edited by edinburger; Dec 16th 2009 at 12:40 pm.
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Old Dec 16th 2009, 1:10 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by Eman
This depends on the parents .. and how their understanding of the life of open-mindedness .. (( This is about the private life ))

about the country and its laws we cant do anything


To be fair, when the country begins to have issues with exporting oil, I'm pretty sure eventually people will open up and really demand some form of democracy. Saudi is actually ready for it, as economic reform occurred a while ago.

Normally countries that put political reform before economic reform are shown to fail, like Indonesia, Phillipines, Russia to some extent.

I suppose it's refreshing to hear that young people are perhaps not so persuaded by the way the regime works, and generally actively pursue 'fun'. I don't mean all-night parties and mass teenage-pregnancies, but just the chance to socialise and have a personality.
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Old Dec 16th 2009, 1:13 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by edinburger
Hi Daveness, thought I would throw my pennies worth in also. I am a single guy here in Riyadh, been here for 8 months, and I can assure you that as long as you are on a decent compound you will have no problems in finding what you're looking for, life is pretty good here Good luck with the move!
Alright Super Hans, are you from Edinburgh? I hear there's a lot of heroin addicts there. On the upside, there's about forty H&M outlets on Princess Street, so if you're after a cheap scarf, way to go!

I'm from Glasgow, hence the friendly banter. The agency got in touch to say that if I was successful, they place all their employees in "apartments." I would want a hefty clarification on what that actuallly means.
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Old Dec 16th 2009, 1:37 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by daveness
Alright Super Hans, are you from Edinburgh? I hear there's a lot of heroin addicts there. On the upside, there's about forty H&M outlets on Princess Street, so if you're after a cheap scarf, way to go!

I'm from Glasgow, hence the friendly banter. The agency got in touch to say that if I was successful, they place all their employees in "apartments." I would want a hefty clarification on what that actuallly means.
Yeah, I'm from the burgh! At least we can afford heroin in Edinburgh, I heard you Weegies get high off buzzing the blue cubes they put in urinels/toilets!
Definitely get clarification on the apartments.....sounds like they could be talking about serviced apartments and you don't want that mate!
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Old Dec 16th 2009, 1:40 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by edinburger
Yeah, I'm from the burgh! At least we can afford heroin in Edinburgh, I heard you Weegies get high off buzzing the blue cubes they put in urinels/toilets!
Definitely get clarification on the apartments.....sounds like they could be talking about serviced apartments and you don't want that mate!
Don't forget, a few of the good compounds have apartments...so check where your apartment is going to be!
The ones on Kingdom are quite nice and serviced!
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Old Dec 16th 2009, 1:42 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by Alexa
Don't forget, a few of the good compounds have apartments...so check where your apartment is going to be!
The ones on Kingdom are quite nice and serviced!
True, best check exactly where it is before going off on one!
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Old Dec 16th 2009, 6:53 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by daveness
To be fair, when the country begins to have issues with exporting oil, I'm pretty sure eventually people will open up and really demand some form of democracy. Saudi is actually ready for it, as economic reform occurred a while ago.

Normally countries that put political reform before economic reform are shown to fail, like Indonesia, Phillipines, Russia to some extent.

I suppose it's refreshing to hear that young people are perhaps not so persuaded by the way the regime works, and generally actively pursue 'fun'. I don't mean all-night parties and mass teenage-pregnancies, but just the chance to socialise and have a personality.
Oh u r good at political things ..
Tell me about how ur life will be after several weeks
Im sure everything will be okay
best of luck
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Old Dec 17th 2009, 6:49 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by daveness
Hello all,

I'm 25, and have been offered a position in Riyadh. It's a 6 month contract, with them organizing the compound accommodation, and I can live with the restrictions in Saudi, particularly stricter Riyadh.

I did search this forum, but really wanted an updated view from other younger women and men over there now. I accept the fact there is no clubs, and 'fun' is confined to compounds.

My real question is: I'm sociable, and would get very bored only talking to young guys or men all the time. I also feel that being friends with women my age doesn't mean we're automatically jumping into bed at the first opportunity. Are girls my age in compounds still free to be themselves?

I'm not looking at stealing anybody's daughter, but you really do need sanity in places such as Riyadh, and if I'm basically ultra-restricted socially I'm feeling that would very much put me off taking this position. I see on this forum there has been a few females my age posting who work in Saudi, which I find quite refreshing given how unwelcoming it may appear to ambitious women.

The money is good, but as I'd only be going for 6 months, and am a UK resident, it's taxable. I'm not going home from work every night to get boozed up, so I suppose I'm really asking if there are specific compounds where me meeting a nice girl and being friends or anything more is socially acceptable? I'm worried some compounds are so family friendly or the opposite that it's either mayhem or peacefulness, with no in between.

Outwith compounds, I'm fully aware of the restrictions. Thanks for any information.

Note: Actually, how do the locals meet up to get married? From a Saudi female friend I hear it's not quite as pure-white as suggested. She wouldn't elaborate.
I think life in Saudi would be fun if you are in a compound. Not that I have experienced living in one, but I have heard people do enjoy themselves.

I am also a young Brit expat in Saudi but I have decided to get myself a villa instead as my company did not offer me a compound. Life to be honest for me is very boring and depressing as I have not managed to get to know any fellow Brit expats.

If you do decide to come to Saudi, let me know. Wish you all the best.
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Old Dec 17th 2009, 6:58 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

I got an invitation to attend a new year party at embassy ..
im not sure if i will go
i have heard that for male he cant come without girl
Does this apply to foreigners (( Non-Arab)) too
?!
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Old Dec 17th 2009, 7:01 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Male cant come without girl? Or you mean cannot come with a girl?
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Old Dec 17th 2009, 7:05 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by Desert Shaikh
Male cant come without girl? Or you mean cannot come with a girl?
ya cant come without girl they sould be couple he should bring his gf or his friend or his wife whatever he cant come alone
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Old Dec 17th 2009, 7:11 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by Eman
ya cant come without girl they sould be couple he should bring his gf or his friend or his wife whatever he cant come alone
So are you going?
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Old Dec 17th 2009, 7:15 pm
  #28  
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by Desert Shaikh
So are you going?
it's gonna be in 31th im not sure if i will be in Riyadh ..
btw do u live in Riyadh ?!
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Old Dec 17th 2009, 7:16 pm
  #29  
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by Eman
it's gonna be in 31th im not sure if i will be in Riyadh ..
btw do u live in Riyadh ?!
Yes I do, :-( Bit I am thinking of leaving as things are very boring.
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Old Dec 17th 2009, 7:21 pm
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Default Re: Single young guy heading to Riyadh

Originally Posted by Desert Shaikh
Yes I do, :-( Bit I am thinking of leaving as things are very boring.
well i don't blame u ..
im tryin to leave too
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