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.

blinger

you sex maniac

lionheart

You are most likely going to either hate Saudi life or get yourself jailed for taking risks. Its a real shock to find that all shop assistants, secretaries and hotel staff are male. The answer may be to get yourself a pretty Ethiopean housemaid, preferably non-Muslim, but expect to pay for any extras.

Nic1

there are loads of single nurses and teachers in Riyadh ready to party. The villa behind ours was a bit of a party house lived in by 3/4 guys and they were never short of women. It will of course depend on which compound you live on as some have more singles than others. Al Hamra is quite good as it has a lot of the teachers on it, and Kingdom is good too.

N

Norm_uk

Does she have to be Ethiopian? I'd only go if I could get a well made Teutonic woman with a lingerie fetish...if she can cook that would be nice too

N.

TGFKASE

If they dont pass the cooking test, send them over to me....

daveness

I'm not talking about extreme partying, or hiring live-in prostitutes! I'd see the latter as a pretty weird, very sad, way of life.

I just meant it would be nice to have the ability to socialise, albeit within compounds, without repercussions with both sexes.

From what I've read a lot of men working are bored out of their mind. I don't know which compound I would be staying in, but I'll be sure to get the name and post it here. Hopefully these things are changable.

Meow

If anyone else had suggested that, you'd have played the race card.

-

Ronnie Biggs

Is that like Top Trumps? Does a Nigerian beat an Ethiopian?

"Housework 8.....oh I've got Housework 4 - you win."

Alexa

I met my husband in Saudi...we both are western...oh, and it was not an "arranged" marriage....lol
Look, don't worry...there is plenty of fun to be had...just go there, meet some people...network...and voila...

flares

like that concept...you could have a whole set of non-PC top trumps

hoofie2002

One big, really big, massive no-no. Don't get involved with a Saudi Girl. I know they are stunning etc. but if her family find out, you will be found in a hole in the desert with a bullet hole in your skull - really I'm not joking.

p.s. She will be in there also or else her family will drown her in the swimming pool - and yet again I am not joking.

Apart from that, chase all the expats teachers/nurses you want. The worst that can happen is you will get caught and deported.

Eman

heeeyy don't be pessimistic .. I'm Saudi girl and im 20 .. i met my ex-bf in Saudi and i have friends of all sexes ..
Riyadh is cool .. but fun things hiding
Maybe cuz u r new here this makes u feel scared
don't worry u will like ur life here

Best wishes

Autonomy

I wonder if the original poster has read Girls Of Riyadh?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls_of_Riyadh

Eman - what did you think of Girls Of Riyadh? Sort of believable and close to reality or totally made up?

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