When in Saudi Arabia you should respect theyr culture and dresscodes. They appriciate it and it?s just plain polite when you go somewhere else to respect the rules there. Women have to cover up in an Abaya, it?s a black gown worn over clothes. Take a scarf to cover your hair aswell since it?s what they like you to do. In Jeddah they sometimes do not comment on hair not beeing covered but it?s better to just do it. By they I mean the Motawa the religious police. They wear brown gowns and usually walk with sticks. You will notice them because if they think you are inproper they will beat the stick in the ground in front of you and comment on your atire. It has only happend once to me and the gentleman asked me nicely to cover my hair. They are more strict in Ryiadh. If you meat a friend do not give him/her a hug or a kiss on the street, women are not alowed to do that and its frowned upon and could get you into trouble. I did it once in a super marked and it went dead quiet there....I was realy embarassed. Women are not alowed to drive not even a gocart...so don?t forget it!! Do not bring magasines with light dressed women to customs or movies. Do not wear necklaces with a cross or things from the christian religion. If you have it on then put it under your shirt they don?t like it. Our aircrafts had to be painted before going to saudi since they had the Icelandic flag and the center is a cross though its not a simble for christ and they didn?t like it so they had to be painted. Do not show the souls of you feet to a saudi, its rude similar to giving someone the middle finger in Europe. I thought there were alot of rules to follow but if you are nice and wear what they ask and are not loud or rude you will be fine. Good luck....:-)
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on Oct 18, 2005
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