How do we get invited to parties in riyadh

Hello Amy
I was wondering if you would send me an invitation to meet you sometime at your compound? Regards Ian

its not that kinda compound... im not on a big western compound. i need an invitation to a big western compound

Btw Amy, you seems to be quite familiar with process, why don't you introduce us to some nice people to have at least the hope that somehow, someday, somebody will invite us ? Maybe we could be good companions for any decent party you would plan... What do you think about that ?

On the other hand, @Allie, regarding beer, there is nothing to hold here, even this one pass (you can choose another vowel if you feel more comfortable ) faster than I thought... Anyway, I will wait the invitation from Amy to one of her parties, maybe we can cross some cultural and geographical barriers...

Tavi

LOOL.. I'm not planning any parties. My purpose of coming to Riyadh is related to employment, not planning social events. I thought that it would be good to have a balance between work and a social life.. so I joined this blog to find out what is available in Riyadh as entertainment.

I've been here for A WEEK! I'm still learning about the procedures and processes of this country. I know that compounds are a safe environment for expats and it emulates western lifestyle........ but I don't know what is out there. Many expats give me mixed responses. Some compounds have more facilities that others. Some are more liberal about what they allow than others. It's confusing! Some expats told me that they are members of salsa clubs, some are members of zumba clubs (fitness and exercise), others said that they get drunk on alcohol they have access to... its crazy. This is Saudi Arabia!!!!!! Nobody wants to be in trouble with the Mutawa... Nobody came to Saudi Arabia to die or be deported because they are breaking the law.... I'm not a party planner and I dont intend on being one, but I have no problem joining a social group that is in a safe environment in a compound.

I agree with you. Unfortunately you will probably have to join a compound to find out what is available. Some compounds are overpriced by greedy Saudi owners. Fitness and zumba are the obvious activities available. to organised trips.
Good luck and happy hunting for what you want. Regards Ian

It's my mistake Amy, because I wasn't clear enough, it was only a joke, it was obvious you're not planning anything... Your 1st post was clear enough, as far as I remember.
On the other hand, even if we don't have such an intense social life, we don't have too many reasons to complain (when I say "we" I'm speaking about me and my european fellows): we're not living in a compound (read sealed jar), there is no reason to think about security (we're going out without locking the door, we slept lots of nights forgetting to lock the door and so on), it's not only once when I forgot to lock my car doors, and I can give you more other examples... Fears ? Believe me (you can see from my profile) I traveled already in lots of conflict areas, here you can be worried only on the roads, when driving, because of their style... apart of that, you can really have a normal life, as far as you can accept the idea that there are some limits, different from other places, that you must obey (and when I say obey it's not a matter of obedience, it's a matter of the result of your choice to come here and the consequences of your coming). And we meet each Thursday evening in a garden pub for a great diner with tea, Arabic coffee, really delicious lamb ribs, an amazing seafood shorba (rich soup) and long chats, until 2-3 in the morning... Some other time trying new places, restaurants, terraces, coffee shops, you know, we were invited to some weddings, so it really is social life here, if you want it and if you can adapt your wishes with local possibilities... regarding alcohol, believe me, I've seen nobody dead because he/she didn't drink alcohol, it's not vital for surviving (btw, I'm a bombay sapphire great fan, if you know what I mean, and I have my own receipt ! ) but when I need a treat, I fly across the border, to Dubai, for 2-3 days and after that I'm back with batteries charged.
Again, social life: you can tailor it as it suits you, only use your imagination and the proper entourage if you know what I mean... Any excesssss can be dangerousssss (Kaa quote )

Yours,
Tavi

Hi Ian. I am on a compound already. Its great because I'm surrounded by females. I'm hoping that it will be possible to make lasting friendships with families and single people on other compounds for socializing purposes.

It's too early to get over-excited about the possible networking opportunity that is available for expats on compounds.

I'm going to have a few weekends like this one that just passed (where I chill online for most of the day) and mind my own business while giggling at my computer screen watching comedy clips.

lol..

Thanks for filling me in Tavi. You sound like the perfect person to orientate cautious expats!!

Dear Tav
Thank you for your blog. I agree with you because I am in the same situation as you. I do not live in a compound but I have a very nice apartment. I agree the Saudi Roads are dangerous , mainly because of mobile phones!! and you can just buy a Licence, no driving required. Whenever I want to Party, I just go to Dubai, but I hear Bahrain is good also. We are a new office so was all Bachelor's but gradually we are bringing in our wives and girlfriends so the social dynamics are changing from coffee bars to in house socials. Regards Ian

Already been here for 8 months and such a boring place. For parties i joined several groups in facebook and Expat.coms. Though got several invitations from different groups and all invitations carry a note saying, only for couples. What about Singles? they have to die here with boring life? and couples already have good life being together and they get more entertainment through parties? So i left all the groups finding no hope. So i hope someday someone can invite me for a party being single. Good luck for others who are single and dying here.

Suribhai
I read your blog and my recommendations are to (1) Save your money in KSA and (2) go to Dubai or Bahrain once every 4 / 6 weeks where I do not have any problems acquiring a drink and females. In KSA there are some nice restaurants to treat yourself say once a week and join the Embassy for Events. No problems...

Thanks IAN for the reply, I Just applied for my Iqama, once i get it would plan to do something to travel. Its hell just to stay home in weekends. Hope to see someone who can invite singles for parties in Riyadh. Hope you have a nice time...

Dear Amy, you're too nice, I wish I would be as cautious as you see me, but the reality is quite different (if you only really know me)... OK, most of the time I like to spent in front of laptop seeing movies or sniffing around or listening music, but I also like to see people around me, life throbbing, I really love souks, the smells, the colors, the noise, my favorite place in Tripoli was Medina (the Old City, the Citadel around what they built the actual capital), you can walk inside about a full day without seeing it entirely, with a lot of small shops, from jewelry to spices, clothing, furniture, sweets, appliance, ivory, leather stuff, art crafts and pottery, anything you can or cannot imagine... And you can stop for a tea with nana or coffee on a terrace, can take photos and nobody will ask you why you use your camera... Of course I was a little bit wary and deliberate in the beginning, then I avoided only the military compounds, the Ghadaffi areas and places with forbidden photo signs, all remaining became good subject to catch, no matter, more or less discreet.
I think the same situation is here, as far as it is protected the privacy and the traditional habits of Saudi people. As a matter of fact, nobody likes to be annoyed in his own home, even if in ignorance; before doing something, it's normal to take information if it's not against the rule (in Libya, in the building we lived, in the beginning I saluted the ladies I met in the mornings, I considered a matter of decency, it's mandatory, as male, to be the first one who salutes, as a sign of respect, in most of Europe, so I did it until somebody warned me that the rule is totally different... ).
Even here, I was almost to be as polite as I am at home, with the ladies are living in my building, but when I've seen them just creeping up along the walls, I've understood that it's not the best choice . There are, definitely two worlds, like water and oil: them and us, no way of mingle, even if there are people saying that we can have parties together: it will be only a mutual collecting information session, maybe with food, maybe with soft drinks, maybe with different kinds of music and big efforts from each part to understand the other one, maybe with opinions with or without possibility of conciliation, but we will remain exactly who we are: parts of different worlds, necessary here because we were asked, due to our different expertise, but accepted only at surface level, never as family members and forever expats, as the name of the blog .
That's way is soooo goood Dubai...

Yours,
Tavi

tavitza58 wrote:

Dear Amy, you're too nice, I wish I would be as cautious as you see me, but the reality is quite different (if you only really know me)... OK, most of the time I like to spent in front of laptop seeing movies or sniffing around or listening music, but I also like to see people around me, life throbbing, I really love souks, the smells, the colors, the noise, my favorite place in Tripoli was Medina (the Old City, the Citadel around what they built the actual capital), you can walk inside about a full day without seeing it entirely, with a lot of small shops, from jewelry to spices, clothing, furniture, sweets, appliance, ivory, leather stuff, art crafts and pottery, anything you can or cannot imagine... And you can stop for a tea with nana or coffee on a terrace, can take photos and nobody will ask you why you use your camera... Of course I was a little bit wary and deliberate in the beginning, then I avoided only the military compounds, the Ghadaffi areas and places with forbidden photo signs, all remaining became good subject to catch, no matter, more or less discreet.
I think the same situation is here, as far as it is protected the privacy and the traditional habits of Saudi people. As a matter of fact, nobody likes to be annoyed in his own home, even if in ignorance; before doing something, it's normal to take information if it's not against the rule (in Libya, in the building we lived, in the beginning I saluted the ladies I met in the mornings, I considered a matter of decency, it's mandatory, as male, to be the first one who salutes, as a sign of respect, in most of Europe, so I did it until somebody warned me that the rule is totally different... ).
Even here, I was almost to be as polite as I am at home, with the ladies are living in my building, but when I've seen them just creeping up along the walls, I've understood that it's not the best choice . There are, definitely two worlds, like water and oil: them and us, no way of mingle, even if there are people saying that we can have parties together: it will be only a mutual collecting information session, maybe with food, maybe with soft drinks, maybe with different kinds of music and big efforts from each part to understand the other one, maybe with opinions with or without possibility of conciliation, but we will remain exactly who we are: parts of different worlds, necessary here because we were asked, due to our different expertise, but accepted only at surface level, never as family members and forever expats, as the name of the blog .
That's way is soooo goood Dubai...

Yours,
Tavi

Hi Tavi, it seems you have some really good memories to share and you're good at writing too

amy001 wrote:

wow... 2 already?! how do you get connected?

People took me under there wings to introduce me to other people........it snowballs from there.  Im now turning down opportunities to go out.  There are just too many of them!

wow.. that's a mouthful to unpack. My small brain is paining! haha.

It is obvious that 2 worlds exist.

Finding the right social crowd anywhere is difficult in the beginning until we make sense of where we are and who is around us.

Thank you for the meaningful feedback.

I'm learning everyday... hehehe

Hi, hope to connect with some of you people,....finally something interesting in this bored city, happening at least virtually...time to make it happen visually...

Do you have to renew your entry exit visa every 30 days until you get your Iqama? If you do, then I would suggest at Company expense, going to Dubai to enjoy yourself! Hint hint...

Why don't you ask to the Company to provide you a multi-entry visa (costs only 500 SAR) and you can travel everywhere you wish, with passport and/or Iqama. Much convenient as expat, you're not bonded to the ground (OK, depends also of some other... you know, variables... ranking, level in the hierarchy), but usually it's not an issue for the "verified" people. It's the place of "you know the person who knows the right person"... As simple as that.
Wish you luck, buddy !

Yours,
Tavi

OMG!!! I felt I am reading a book. How can someone type so much ?

Fidgety Soul wrote:

OMG!!! I felt I am reading a book. How can someone type so much ?

Oh, there was somebody even more verbose until she got herself banned.

hahaha, yeah, many got banned for writing too much... so mostly i prefer to read, rather write for every post. Always better to involve in what you know and what you can help with.

suribhai wrote:

Always better to involve in what you know and what you can help with.

I wonder if writing too much was the problem.... writing too much about the wrong stuff perhaps???

oh.. by the way...

... There was a wonderful Jordanian friend who gave me an orientation into the world of Riyadh over the weekend that just passed ...

and I'm getting another orientation session this weekend because he has a long way to go to teach my small mind about how this wonderful place operates...

Salaam Saudi Arabia!

So looks like everyone is settling in sooner rather than later....

heheeheheheheheheheheehehehehehe:D

To be honest if you want to go to parties, it helps if you're 2 out of any of the following things.

1) White (or from non-arab or OFW countries) but mostly white.

2) A young woman (or just young in general)

3) Very sociable and exceed at networking (if you were this you would have found them already)


There are of course other ways if you do not meet this criteria, but not ways I can discuss on the forum. I probably won't help you if you PM me too, too many Saudi's here.

Harsh, but true.

Hello Mr Alpha, I agree with your first 2 points. Experienced that here for sure....

For the people who hate to read: please don't read this, could be dangerous for health...
Somebody wrote something about "knowing right people and right places". Couldn't be more accurate than that: 2 weeks ago, great party with music, dancing, food and anything (ANY... or almost), one week ago, the gang went to Dubai where, BTW, have seen the other side of life (one example: ladies driving cars )...
There is nothing wrong to freely discuss about parties, but I think is somehow unfair to give voice to frustration in a place where people need guidance, not cheap sarcasm... IMHO

Ladies and mates,wish you all the best,
Tavi

My sarcasm is always expensive

There is no need for frustration! I;m in Saudi for 3 weeks, and my curiousity about opportunities for networking and socialising has been satisfied in more ways than one.

From a newbie's point of view and my brief but fulfilling experience in socialising... Its all about the energy that you carry. If you are optimistic about having an adventure here and meeting new people.. It will happen. If you expect the worst and fear being lonely with no connection to the outside world, you will attract it to yourself.

I was patient and I've made some friends who have taken me out to restaurants for dinners, I went to the museum, I'm going for a camel ride this weekend, another friend sponsored me with a relaxing day at a spa, I attended a BBQ at 2 compounds already, I'm going on a hiking trip and camp this weekend... the list of activities are endless.

The people here are amazing, and you can have a safe and good life. Jordanian, lebanese, egyptian, syrian.... Why didnt I discover these nationalities earlier in life? I wonder.. hahaha.

Hvae some faith. Believe that you will have great friends in here who are living on awesome compounds.. you will enjoy compound freedom in more ways than one.

As for parties......... well its up to you and what kind of vibe you prefer. There are lots of party scenes in here. You have the power to pick, choose and refuse.

It's not sarcasm, its a reality!

Laterz

I m  glad they banned them, in fact i remember one guy who used to write a lot and most of it was nonsense and worse part was his messages in my inbox. Anyways the trick is if one don't feel like reading a lot, just read the beginning and the end ,you would understand the whole post without spending unnecessary time on it
...and who said I hate reading i only get bored reading something baseless and rest is totally fine.

[Moderated: pls post in the Events, Activities, Leisure in Riyadh]

I'm always surprised by the number of people who suddenly become desperate to become more social than they ever were, after they've arrived in Saudi. I've met more drunk westerners in the gulf (and I'm Scottish so that's saying something) than anywhere else.

Just need to get comfortable with your own company, and yes I do live in a compound but more due to the Companies rules, but I'd like to think people will talk to me for more than an invite to a piss up.

hello Guys...i am here in riyadh too...please invite me if there are any parties or meet ups...i am fed up here...since 20 days work and room...that is what my life going

love to meet new pals and have good time.

@jobsree, its hard for you to get invited to parties, unless u r married. If you are single then loose hopes and find other ways to entertain urself. I been rejected for several parties, coz am single hehehe. As for this vacation we are going to bahrain, so if you are interested, do let me know asap.

Have a nice day.

hi thank you for your invitation...
i love to join but i believe it takes 3 months to get IQAMA...then only we can....at the same time i am not sure whether we need passport or not....my passport is with company...

mrthoth wrote:

I'd like to think people will talk to me for more than an invite to a piss up.

BRAVO!  I call those people 'compound whores' because they'll do just about anything for an invite.