New to Riyadh

Welcome aboard Guru1802,

Guru1802 wrote:

I think w/o knowing Arabic it’s very difficult to survive here......

Knowing Arabic is a good skill. It's not a matter of survival though. The Arabic most of our expat mates are seen speaking (ana anta kida kida ) is just a work-around which you'll also get with passage of time. The key to good speaking is 'practice'.

I'm quite fluent in Arabic but trust me I've learnt it all from practising with the Arab office teaboys etc. In my profession, I never need it. Many days pass and I never have to speak a word

I feel your pain!!!

I've been here 6 months and I find that making
Friends with Saudis when buying something
Is the best way to learn arabic and they love
To teach & in exchange they like to learn
English.

I'm attending an Arabic course starting Tuesday
But I haven't got a clue where it is my friends
Taking me. When I have more info I'l email you.

In the meantime try chit chatting to anyone that
Speaks Arabic even the cleaners. The locals may
Seem hostile toasted you but in actual
Fact after getting to know them I've found they seem
To come across that way because they feel embarrassed
That they don't know a word of English!

Join some "Riyadh groups" on Facebook and post
Your query there too.

Hope that helps (hang in there- you won't want
To leave after 6 months of being here)

Selma you are right , my pool car driver is Sudani and dont speak english , its difficult to even tell him to take me for a lunch.

Please let me know once you get know about the place of arabic class.

The strange thing is even when I went to STC office asking for new line , the gentlemen said , no english only arabic and then I went with one of my engineer who is from India but stayed here more than 10 years and knows fluent arabic.

any way I choose this country for good money so I must learn what is required here.

If you want to know more about Riyadh I could invite you to see over my blog

Guru1802 wrote:

Let’s meet and have a coffee, that’s what I can offer due to the restrictions...not like Kenya ....many things I could offer ....specially Saturday evening.....

I don't know why the bolded part sounded so wrong to me. @AllieCat Johnny Bananas.. lol

Why would there ever be a problem for you to enjoy your time with a friend on a weekend? You can go out with them and have fun. Or at least do more than just having coffee.

Saudi Guy wrote:

I don't know why the bolded part sounded so wrong to me. @AllieCat Johnny Bananas.. lol

I thought the same thing and then just decided it was my evil mind

Dear Saudi and Allie , may be you people are more familier about the activities more than coffee.

but I am very new and scared of crossing some boundries set by the local gov.

offcourse I will be happy to be your group memembr if theose activities can be planned to have fun.

I'm afraid I can't help you out, Guru, since unrelated males/females is verbotten here!

However, maybe you can make some plans with Saudi.  He's a national so knows all about things here!