What teenagers can do in Jeddah?

Dude, that is just exactly my problem!

So, do I record this as my first contact with a Westerner near my age in Jeddah?

To be honest with you, I am Arabian, but I am a stranger here too. I grew up in introversion and isolation, and the only thing I share with native residents is the language in addition to a few cultural fragments.

If you happen to be a deviantArt user, you must check my page out now: http://sinandira.deviantart.com and message me if you think that we could get along!

Why you are in Saudi? What do you do for a living?

I was born here, where my family is still living. But I just grew up differently; never played the other children in the street and was always lonely with my interests.

Right now, I'm working on a game development project with my brothers. I wanna attend university, but not sure where and what. I am 19. What about you?

It is not my choice. I need to stay for a while and attend a school here because of my parents job.

Which Witch wrote:

It is not my choice. I need to stay for a while and attend a school here because of my parents job.

Aha. Well, if you don't find friendship soon, you'll get into serious trouble. Life could get very lonely here.

Your best bet is finding friends in school and in your compound.

If you can't achieve that, I hope the people over here can help. The only person below 20 I have seen so far out of tens on EB beside you and me is Alfred, but we both are males. If you're lucky though, you could probably find older expats with daughters near your age, or some who know where you can find such people.

That's as far as I know.   I hope loneliness won't kill you. Good luck.

I think you're over-estimating the 'age' thing.  By that I mean, just because people are around the same age doesn't necessarily mean they have anything in common or will become friends.

And, conversely, just because two aren't in the same age group doesn't mean they don't have things in common and can't become friends!

I've become friends with younger people I get to know through my work (and several on this forum) and it's more about personality than anything else.  I know I generally *click* with people who have a similar sense of humor.  If they can make me laugh--and I can make *them* laugh--friendship follows.

So please don't cut yourself off based on age--keep an open mind!

I know many older people here and participate in many activities with them, and I know they spend their leisure time here.
But my question is: what the teenagers are doing in Jeddah in their free time.
Because I do not see them anywhere except the girls inside the malls, and the boys hanging around the malls.

I'm 26, but my wife insists I behave like a 2 year old... so age is by no means a terminal condition... although it is sometimes...

But in all seriousness, I understand what Which Witch is saying and SinanDira. Most of the teenagers I know go swimming, or go with their parents Quad biking, play pool/billiards. A lot of them just end up sitting at home playing on a console, watching movies etc.

I agree with the notion that going to malls gets stale really quick. Great at first seeing new places, new shops etc, but when you don't have a great deal of money, it soon becomes tiresome looking at stuff you can not buy! I know a lot of people spend their free time socialising with other friends or watching sports with them.

I don't live in Jeddah so I can't comment on it, but I do know that in Riyadh, they have "Fun Fairs" dotted around the city including one fairly large one in the city centre. Might be something to have a look at?

The reason they're all at the mall is to 'bluetooth' each other!  In Riyadh, boys commonly go camping in the desert.  Also, attending 'drifting' competitions in the desert seems to be popular (but dangerous).

Yeah, definitely don't do drifting or go anywhere near it.... one video on youtube where people have been flung out of the car as it flips over and over, then arms being ripped off. Not worth it if you like the land of the living.

And I never really thought about the whole bluetoothing bit haha... understandable way of releasing some "pent up frustrations" in a country with very strict social restrictions!

tonguetwister wrote:

Yeah, definitely don't do drifting or go anywhere near it.... one video on youtube where people have been flung out of the car as it flips over and over, then arms being ripped off. Not worth it if you like the land of the living.

And they frequently lose control and spin off into the crowd so the driver is okay but the observers are killed.

Any way you look at this, it's bad juju.

tonguetwister wrote:

Most of the teenagers I know go swimming, or go with their parents Quad biking

We often go swimming/snorkeling or sand driving with my parents. But I never saw any teenager in the beach, boat or desert trip.

tonguetwister wrote:

"Fun Fairs" dotted around the city

Yes, there are plenty of amusement parks in Jeddah. Visited few of them. Really good. But locals go there  more for 'bluetoothing' each other than for atractions.

Alliecat wrote:

PrinceA wrote:

You can start joining a group of people same age or so, specially who lives in a big compound, and there is a different life there, activities in addition to some private nightlife

That's very easy for you to say this but you don't tell him HOW to find this group or HOW to join this group.

It is not difficult to get in to private or semi-public cultural and "nightlife" events in compounds and consulates. But as I mentioned the participants there are of age range 25-65 years.
Or 2-12 years, and not in between.

Which Witch wrote:

We often go swimming/snorkeling or sand driving with my parents. But I never saw any teenager in the beach, boat or desert trip.

Strange, a group of colleagues from work regularly go with their teenage kids ages 13-19.

Which Witch wrote:

Yes, there are plenty of amusement parks in Jeddah. Visited few of them. Really good. But locals go there  more for 'bluetoothing' each other than for atractions.

Even better! All the more reason to go. At least you aren't held up by queues MWAHAHAHA! Maybe you could befriend a couple of local Saudi kids? Although, this is easier said than done and can cause potential issues.

Which Witch wrote:

It is not difficult to get in to private or semi-public cultural and "nightlife" events in compounds and consulates. But as I mentioned the participants there are of age range 25-65 years.
Or 2-12 years, and not in between.

If you're 16, I don't see why it's a huge issue to relate to people that are 20-30...? Perhaps it's time to expand that horizon? I mean most 20-30 year olds I know play on a games console of some description (check), play pool (check), go quadbiking (check) and generally know how to talk (check!). I am good friends with an 18 year old, despite being 8 years his senior.

Try having a search on Facebook for people in Jeddah and see if you can find anybody your age there. If not, then it is possible that most teens chose not to stay in Saudi for the same reason you are finding...not a great social scene!

@TT  Yes, I don't know what she wants.  We told her what teenagers do in Jeddah and she shot down every thing that was said.

BTW, about limiting themselves to a specific age range, I gave the same exact advice to Alfred (I think you copied me--admit it! ).

Who are you? Do I know you? I do not believe we've ever met haha

Just kidding. Don't think I remember you mentioning it but can common sense be something one can copy? Lol

Alliecat wrote:

I think you're over-estimating the 'age' thing.  By that I mean, just because people are around the same age doesn't necessarily mean they have anything in common or will become friends.

And, conversely, just because two aren't in the same age group doesn't mean they don't have things in common and can't become friends!

That's certainly very true! I am looking forward to make friends with anybody, but having people of the same age group has a special meaning to me.

I have 5 male cousins around my age who are great friends, but they all moved to Jordan years ago. No matter how many friends of an older age I have, I'll always be terribly sad that I'm missing the social experience of being with my own generation.

It just means a lot to me, so I'll definitely seek it, as long as it means no harm.

tonguetwister wrote:

I'm 26, but my wife insists I behave like a 2 year old... so age is by no means a terminal condition... although it is sometimes...

Hahaha!

Which Witch wrote:

But my question is: what the teenagers are doing in Jeddah in their free time.
Because I do not see them anywhere except the girls inside the malls, and the boys hanging around the malls.

Since childhood, ordinary teenagers living in poorer families tend to spend half their days in the street, playing soccer there and having their lives wasted by other means. Well, other than that, Allie has mentioned some of the common activities. I don't have anything common else on my mind. Some people go out with their families. Okay, that's it...

Alliecat wrote:

tonguetwister wrote:

Yeah, definitely don't do drifting or go anywhere near it.... one video on youtube where people have been flung out of the car as it flips over and over, then arms being ripped off. Not worth it if you like the land of the living.

And they frequently lose control and spin off into the crowd so the driver is okay but the observers are killed.

I must use this occasion to tell you how Saudi people generally don't have any bit of sense of responsibility.

There are always useless people, even in developed countries, but there are always people who will rush to help. Saudi is one of the few countries in the world where, when a disaster takes place, you will find everybody watching, capturing with their phones, and the police and ambulance personnel themselves will be moving in the coldest blood you can imagine...

I'm sick of life here.

tonguetwister wrote:

Maybe you could befriend a couple of local Saudi kids?

Despite the language barrier, the cultural barrier is huge.

Hence the second sentence after that lol

tonguetwister wrote:

Don't think I remember you mentioning it but can common sense be something one can copy? Lol

You can try lol

I tried... it ain't workin' Cap'n! She's nae got the power!

Alliecat wrote:

BTW, about limiting themselves to a specific age range, I gave the same exact advice to Alfred (I think you copied me--admit it! ).

Holy Crap!  I said it on THIS thread!  Now there is absolutely NO excuse for having copied me

haha... well I was but merely hammering home the message that you first, astutely pointed out!

tonguetwister wrote:

I tried... it ain't workin' Cap'n! She's nae got the power!

Alliecat wrote:

We told her what teenagers do in Jeddah and she shot down every thing that was said.
...about limiting themselves to a specific age range

OK.
Enough talks "what they do", let's do something together... anyone for the theater? facebook.com/events/285958681512453/
No specific age limits.

Which Witch wrote:

Alliecat wrote:

We told her what teenagers do in Jeddah and she shot down every thing that was said.
...about limiting themselves to a specific age range

OK.
Enough talks "what they do", let's do something together... anyone for the theater? http://www.facebook.com/events/285958681512453/
No specific age limits.

Theatre?  Wowie!!  Lucky Jeddi's !!  And brilliant move, WW, to take the initiative!  Good luck with it

I want to go as well... unfortunately, my line manager might miss me the next morning when I explain to him I'm in Jeddah.... haha

Good luck with the event W2. I wonder if there is a similar event in Riyadh one can organise?

Wait, it's a play play? Yikes.... if it doesn't have Hollywood style explosions, I'll fall asleep... I have Shakespeare and High School to thank for that!

Oh come onnnnnnnnnnnnnn.. didn't you love the part where Rosenkrantz (or was it Gilderstern) was eavesdropping behind the curtain and got stabbed ?!?

What about the villian whose name has become part of the common language (you get 50 halalas if you name him!)?

Not to mention crazy ole Hamlet:  to be.. or NOT to be

tonguetwister wrote:

Wait, it's a play play? Yikes.... if it doesn't have Hollywood style explosions, I'll fall asleep...

I know you prefer to stooge around in the malls looking to the new shops and etc. nice stuff.
I agree with your wife...

Which Witch wrote:

tonguetwister wrote:

Wait, it's a play play? Yikes.... if it doesn't have Hollywood style explosions, I'll fall asleep...

I know you prefer to stooge around in the malls looking to the new shops and etc. nice stuff.
I agree with your wife...

She'd be most pleased to hear that you agree with her assessment! I on the other hand am most saddened... I'm going to go sulk in that virtual corner over there...!

I'm still laughing about *stooge around* .. never heard that expression before!

Alliecat wrote:

Oh come onnnnnnnnnnnnnn.. didn't you love the part where Rosenkrantz (or was it Gilderstern) was eavesdropping behind the curtain and got stabbed ?!?

What about the villian whose name has become part of the common language (you get 50 halalas if you name him!)?

Not to mention crazy ole Hamlet:  to be.. or NOT to be

::Dust bowl::

Eh? Just a bunch of words there lol.

I get that lots of people enjoy plays... I just happen to find a lot of them exceedingly dull and terminally sleep inducing! Same applies to ballet and opera lol

tonguetwister wrote:

Alliecat wrote:

Oh come onnnnnnnnnnnnnn.. didn't you love the part where Rosenkrantz (or was it Gilderstern) was eavesdropping behind the curtain and got stabbed ?!?

What about the villian whose name has become part of the common language (you get 50 halalas if you name him!)?

Not to mention crazy ole Hamlet:  to be.. or NOT to be

::Dust bowl::

Eh? Just a bunch of words there lol.

I get that lots of people enjoy plays... I just happen to find a lot of them exceedingly dull and terminally sleep inducing! Same applies to ballet and opera lol

Cause there are no car chases or special effects? Typical male

You should have seen the 'Hair' revival (which I managed to catch in London)--NUDITY!

Actually, I went to the opera in Prague and there was a lot of nudity, as well. 

Maybe you should get some culture

Alliecat wrote:

tonguetwister wrote:

Alliecat wrote:

Oh come onnnnnnnnnnnnnn.. didn't you love the part where Rosenkrantz (or was it Gilderstern) was eavesdropping behind the curtain and got stabbed ?!?

What about the villian whose name has become part of the common language (you get 50 halalas if you name him!)?

Not to mention crazy ole Hamlet:  to be.. or NOT to be

::Dust bowl::

Eh? Just a bunch of words there lol.

I get that lots of people enjoy plays... I just happen to find a lot of them exceedingly dull and terminally sleep inducing! Same applies to ballet and opera lol

Cause there are no car chases or special effects? Typical male

You should have seen the 'Hair' revival (which I managed to catch in London)--NUDITY!

Actually, I went to the opera in Prague and there was a lot of nudity, as well. 

Maybe you should get some culture

My culture happens to involve a lot of car chases, and explosions and so forth! Probably why I like movies such as Die Hard haha

Opera, why? I would understand a word of it lol

It was Candide, by Leonard Bernstein, and it was in English (although the Eastern European accents were so thick it took me till half way through to realize they were singing in English).  However, being familiar with the Voltaire's Candide, I was able to follow the plot.

Back to the original invitation for 'head over heels in Saudi Arabia' .......

alliecat - tongue twister...........

Effatt is the women's university - and the person performing is female - so there is a very real possibilitiy that only females can attend this event.........

Hey guys

as this is my 1st post, I would like to share my thoughts about How Teenagers are living here...

I believe that living in KSA is difficult, undoubtedly. But u can consider living in Jeddah city as being lucky. At least u can go bikini or tanning!

I have something in common with all people posting in this particular topic... I fee lonely. Even when I have got friends, cash,[moderated] ... u still can't have an extreme fun! Because I think what makes this live great is socializing, socializing and socializing with new people.

Anyway ... I am pleased to post these words ... and looking forward to have new friend out of here!