nonthaburi

You're way out of touch with that statement. Firstly Riyadh today is completely different to Riyadh a year or two ago, let alone 5 or 10 years ago. And to say the most restrictive completely ignores a host of other cities dotted throughout KSA. I live in Buraydah, I think I know. Most restrictive out of the big 3 maybe but these days that means very little

weasel decentral

My experience only, I always found it the most oppressive compared to other cities especially Jeddah comes to mind (obviously I haven't visited every one horse town). I get that some people have had different experiences to me and a lot of people defend KSA, I find their experiences to be an outlier to the typical experience. Perhaps they have a cushy job, a lively compound etc. etc. but it always seems to be very personal and situational rather than what most others experience. They find something in spite of how the country is rather than something that is part of the country.

So I assume now that there is no family/single segregation in cafes or restaurants, nothing closes during prayer time and people mingle freely in this brave new world full of women drivers too obviously

nonthaburi

Yeah, I see your point but things really have changed. Admittedly I'm not in Jeddah that much, Last time was about 6 months ago but apart from the geographical differences between Riyadh and Jeddah, Jeddah has beaches and the corniche etc I don't see much difference between the two these days. Just going on what I see around me anyway.

Definitely there is no legal requirement for segregation these days although some may still have it by choice. Plenty of places to go where it's all mixed though if you want to perv.

Most places close during prayer, but that would be the same in Jeddah too. But anyway, unless it's a really small store if you're already in then you can stay in.

And yes, believe it or not, more and more women are driving. Obviously no where near equal numbers to men because its going to take time but they're definitely there, and it's not unusual to see them.

With such a young, connected population, it's only a matter of time before things change even further.

scot47

Not sure about Buraydah but I have visited Hail, Abha, Baha and Bisha. And Sharura. I used to enterrtain my Shia students at KFUP with my traveller's tales of going to Sharura which is the Rub Al Khali. It is possoible to be comfortable in any of the smaller towns in KSA. My introduction to KSA was my posting with the Min of Ed to Tabuk in what the Bible describes as "The Land of Midian". 1970, I was 25 years old and plagued by an addiction to alcohol !

scrubbedexpat141

Exactly, whilst you're happy and sorted, it's head down, arse up, crack on and drink heavily at weekends.


Yeah - in fairness, the only way to still get great cash in KSA. Go to Neom / Al Ula / Red Sea / Amaala etc etc etc.

Johnnyboy11

Or head further south, assuming you don't mind the odd missile flying overhead. Both buckets filling up rapidly for old Johnny

nonthaburi

More here

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1813691/business-economy