Andrea&Mark

Hi
My company has asked me to support some official meetings in Saudi Arabia.

My appearance has caused some discussion amongst my management,
as I'm male and have long hair (down to the middle of my back) and tattoos.

As a senior manager myself, this has never caused a problem in the past with representatives from Asia, US or UK, but as Saudi Arabia is a very conservative country, I and they are worried about the risk.

In particular, what sort of reception can I expect from:
- Immigration & Customs officials at the airport?
- the police?,
- the religious police?
- the general Saudi public?

Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

And yes, "Get your hair cut hippy has already been suggested"

Thanks
Mark.

arbroath_abroad

wouldnt think it would make the slightest bit of difference...

Just dont bring any of your weed with you

nottmbantam

....errmm....pigtails,ponytails or you could just tie it up in a bun? After you've got back from Woodstock of course....

No idea really. Hope it doesn't cause you too many problems. Re the tats - how extensive are they? Men are advised to wear long sleeves and trousers when out and about. Compound life tolerates tshirts and shorts from what little I know, but when at work even men are encouraged not to reveal too much.

MataHari

there's only a few men that look good revealed...

lionheart

You can say that about women too...many should stay covered up.

The Dean

That was more Braveheart than Lionheart - you've got bigger balls than I have.....

lionheart

But I wasn't saying who should be covered up...just generalising but I do recall that 80% of the women covered by abayas in Jeddah were hiding big tummies and ugly mugs.

Inselaffen

some of us a lucky that we dont have to

The Dean

And you discovered this intriguing fact....... how, precisely?

lionheart

From other women...

MataHari

true....most people look better with clothes on....one trip to the beach is all the research one needs

shakh your bootie

Let me know next time you're headed to the beach so that I can research this further....

MataHari

oh believe me...I am no exeption to that rule

Inselaffen

at least you don't have Japanese ships trying to harpoon you when you go for a swim in the sea. The gits nearly got me last time I went diving

MataHari

anything trying to harpoon me has got another thing coming...