Everybody dance now !!! and other Saudi Arabia Local Custom Tips

No disco

Well ...even for those who have visited Dubai (UAE), Qatar or Bahrain ...please take note of the following differences -

There is no pubs/disco here ( just nice
cafe, restaurants and fastfood outlets) of course there are Mc Donald's., KFC , Chillis, Pattis France , Starbucks, Steakhouse and other nice or even posh restaurant ...

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Local Customs: Your attention please ...Ladies and gentleWOMEN

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Updated by kenyneo

on Jun 13, 2004

The traditional costume ...

The local women has to wear Abayah or Burqa ( though this term is mainly used in Afghanistan ( not a Burger huh , coz I saw an an article about an expat lady who were shocked to find out that she has to wear a Burger with her all the time in Saudi Arabia , just because both Burqa and Burger share almost same pronunciation )

And there is only one colour- BLACK !

For expat ladies you are also required to wear them , except that the veil is optional. Only have to wear it when you go out of your house or compound .

I would think that its gonna be quite hot during summer but I guess its made of material that doesnt absorb much heat !

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Local Customs: Beer anyone ?

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Written by kenyneo

on Feb 27, 2004

No alcohol please ..

Well this doesnt apply here , hefty and serious penalty will be given if caught drinking in Saudi Arabia ! To some extend - deportation !

Thus most people go over to Bahrain for a drinking session ! Just 1 1/1hours drive from
Khubar/Dahran/Dammam

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Local Customs: Its prayer time ....

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Updated by kenyneo

on Mar 3, 2004

Copper Chadni near Dammam Corniche

All outlets will be closed during prayer
times ( 5 times a day for about 30 min)..and these time will differ a littl from day to day but no worries ...coz you can always check the daily for the 5 prayers' time

( especially those who are going for a haircut , go atthe right time else you might end up standing outside the barber shop with your half-cut hair for 1/2 hour, this is not a joke ) this goes for lunch or dinner as well ! Its really an experience for me even though I come from Malaysia , an Islamic country .

Timing is precious here !

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Local Customs: No driving for the ladies ...

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Written by kenyneo

on Feb 28, 2004

No driving please

Ladies are not allowed to drive throughout the kingdom. This applies to expat as well.

Thus moving around would be a little inconvenient. Well there is always the limo service .

Well for those who is used to driving, this could be something that you need to consider !

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Local Customs: In restaurants ....

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Written by kenyneo

on Feb 28, 2004

a cafe selling Shawamar in Al Hassa

there is two sections ..one for single ( men only ) and another section for family. But I observe that in some food courts in there is a mix crowd but the ladies are usually expats.

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Local Customs: Women working in Saudi Arabia

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Written by kenyneo

on Feb 28, 2004

ladies working here ?

Opportunies are very limited because the place and profession for ladies are not many. Eventhough the country is pushing for greater involvement of women in its workforce ...its still at an infant stage. Most ladies work as doctors for ladies, nurses ( mostly expat from Phillipines, Malaysia, China etc ), bankers in ladies' bank and teachers . This is because of the fact that the custom disallowed local women from socialising with men who ar enot their family members.

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Local Customs: Wedding bells....ringing ...

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Written by kenyneo

on Feb 29, 2004

Saudi Arabian wedding is

unique !

The local wedding here is a little different from any part of the world, in the sense that you cant see the ladies ( even the bride ) if you are a man or you cant see a man if you are a lady because they are all in separate hall.

basically the guys will have their own fun and the ladies will have theirs . Well a little dissapointed huh , coz you can see the bride. Well custom is custom.

So be prepared when you are invited to one

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Local Customs: The Holy month of Ramadan...

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Written by kenyneo

on Feb 29, 2004

Ramadan (RAH-mah-dahn) is a holy month of fasting wherein Muslims, who are physically able to refrain, do not eat, drink, smoke or engage in sexual activity, from the first sign of dawn until sunset. This month is a time for spiritual reflection and discipline. Pious adherents remember past sins. They express gratitude to God for his guidance. Many read through the entire Qur'an during this month.

The traditional Arabic greeting for Ramadan is "Ramadan Mubarak" (RAH-mah-dahn moo-BAR-ahk, "may God give you a blessed month"). Response is "Ramadan Karim (RAH-mah-dahn KAH-reem, "May God give you a generous month").

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Local Customs: Jum�at al-Wada�

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Written by kenyneo

on Feb 29, 2004

a simple but beautiful mosque