Deyaa1989 wrote:Expat.com wrote:Are you living going to Saudi Arabia? We need you to share your experience of the local customs
Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in Saudi Arabia?
Could you please share with us a list of the do's and don't's in Saudi Arabia?
Thanks!
I have read some great comments here, and I would like to add some do's, (and I will add do not's sometime later)
Do's (before you get to the Kingdom)
1- Get everything you could claimed by the travel/employment agency officially documented and seek the inquiry of other refrences of claims validation.
2- Use your judgement and do your own research about what is OK and what is not to do. Compare that to the experience of others, but always rely on official sources to stand on higher/tougher grounds. Always look up questions you wonder, as answers might serve you the day when you need them.
3- Remember, what applies to others might not apply to you, and vice versa, so find what applies to you.
3- Understand that Saudi Arabia has its positives and negatives, just like any other country in the world. So balance things out before you arrive here.
4- Plan ahead of time. I would do my research a year+ in time before I get to the country of interest for residency. Sometimes unplanned difficulties, such as financial obligations and/or family and governmental problems, may arise or take time to settle. In addition, this way you would be more resourceful and help yourself/others encountering these difficulties.
5- Saudi Arabian Embassy/ Government Offices are Almost always a more reliable source of information than the employment/travelling agency.
6- If you were declined employment/VISA, I would advise you know that
a- You could re-apply and try again and
b- You must know that this is NOT the end of the world, and that your experience and qualifications are definitely needed else where.
7- Just like you could use your judgement, official and reliable resources for information, you could use the same with planning the optimal use of agency/employer/accommodation/transportation you could afford.
8- I want to emphasize the accommodation and VISA statuses. Many users in this forum have encountered difficulty proceeding with the proper procedure/time to get the job done, and most encountered hardships dealing with these difficulties.
Do's (When you get to the Kingdom)
1- Obey The Law, and I repeat, Obey The Law. I cannot stretch nor emphasize this far enough. Please Stay Safe! and make noone have anything over you (black-mailing, etc.) or loopholes against you by obeying the law. What you can get away with once or twice might not last you one more time. Remember that the country may have some extremely harsh punishment for breaking the law.
2- Find good people, whether of the same nationality or not, who are reliable and could assist you and guide you just like you could assist them and support them. Have the good intention in people, but never put your absolute trust in anyone.
3- Compounds might be a better option for those whose lifestyle at home country is wildly different than that in the Kingdom. However, you may decide to live the life outside the comounds just like millions of residents do when you get to familiarize yourself with the coutnry a little better. Know that finding housing outside the licensed compounds is very easy.
4- Have a reliable mean(s) of accommodation and transportation to work/kid(s)' school/ spouse's place of work.
5- Know that some employers DO practice loopholes and twists over the law to prevent you, or grant you, some of your privilages. Always look up for that and consult with those you trust about it. What might be given you now might be removed in double later/ or more! So the advice concerning law abiding is not a bad idea.
6- Know that Transportation is very cheap, relative to many countries in the world. However, suitable accommodation might be expensive. So find what suites you best.
7- Bring your electronic devices with you, i.e., Your laptop/smartphone/DVD Player/ Walkman/ Console games/Musical Instruments and anything that can keep you occupied when bored. Yes it could be incredibily boring in here at times. Remember to (delete/save on an external drive) things that are illegal to Saudi, like adult materials, sensitive information, and even some religious materials, and avoid having that into the country. Most electronic devices/subscriptions are available here, but bringing ones you already have might save you some time and money.
8- Be Honest when asked questions by official sources or refrain yourself from answering, but pelase do not lie, as sometimes they (already know/can provide proves and resources) of correct information, which may end you up in a giant trouble.
________
Some do not's will be provided later on.
Please feel free to copy/distribute materials in this post written by me at your own responsibility.
Deyaa1989,
Alright, I have listed some Do's for Saudi Arabia, and here are some Do not's that I highly recommend.
1- Do not believe everything you hear. Sometimes people give out intended falsified information for personal benifits, and sometimes unintentionally they provide you with it.
2- Do not depend on one mean of transportation, as there could be some changes in plans, which could cause some problems commuting to/from work, i.e., use carpool and a rented taxi driver, and even the company's bus, in addition to solo driving, to get to places of interest.
3- Do not start arguments or respond to ones, or try your best not to, especially in public, as there is a chance that some locals might false witness against you when the police arrives, "foreigners should be polite and respect our country," attitude is still there. In case you are in a problem, try not to get attached or trapped in disputes, try to request the contact of location supervisors or store security personnel, or even local authority to resolve issues. You could also not forget to attach the Embassy contact information and emergency information in your wallet/bag.
4- Do not assume on people from appearance. Some very tolerant and outgoing men have beard and some very conservative/extr(i)mists do not have beard and even wear Eastern/Western clothes. So do not to assume it is OK to do certain things according to their guise/appearance only.
5- Do not give personal information to people you do not trust. People asking lots of personal questions may not understand, and sometimes nor even respect, your privacy.
6- Do not worry about asking locals inquireies and questions, preferably to people of the same gender. Lots of locals and foreigners tend to be very helpful, and informative, about matters of interest, as well as pleasant and hospitable.
7- Do not forget to bring money in cash with you on all times, in case your ATM or CreditCards did not go through transactions. I would bring 300-1500 SAR with me all the time and distribute them in two loactions (car/wallet/even under shirts or under belts), depending on your directions and purchases.
8- Some locals tend to ask personal and strange questions about Western lifestyle and its availability at your city of residence. Do not forget putting into mind that some of which are within the local authorities, corrupted citizens or even unpleasant organizations. This is not always the case, nor it is a solid rule, but always it is a good idea to check the background of persons entering your circle. This rule applies everywhere. Remember, however, that if the officials in the Ministry of Interior want to find out something about you, it will not take them more than 96 hours gathering all needed data about you, including your contact, historical, and some personal information about you from employers, embassies, other Agencies, Service Providers, local connections and even from countries of origin, at times.
9- Cities are borded and secured with officers/agents of the Ministry of Interior (Police, Road Safety, Social Security, and Drug Trafficking Agency). So do not travel from/into cities without complete or valid vechicle and personal documentations.
10- Highways are covered with Cameras to monitor traffic violations, so do not forget that.
11- Do not forget reading store policies for replacements/refunds of purchases. Some stores do not offer any form of exchange/return.
12- Do not forget that once a person gets used to the lifestyle in this country, one may find that living in houses/apartments to be a more affordable experience, and soemtimes even more pleasant ones.
13- Do not put all your eggs into one basket. Do not put all your money in the bank, with a friend, at home, or in institutions and investments. Distribute your wealth.
14- Do not forget that Saudi Arabia is a country that is going through lots of economic and social changes, so keep that in your mind.
15- Do not forget that these 12 mentioned advices are not written on stones nor are in the constitution(s), so they could be some inaccuracy, and sometimes they are even limited to some circumstances. Exceptions do exist in some social/financial entities.
Make a new thread!
