Your experience of culture shock in Saudi Arabia

Kaby wrote:

There are so many Cases happens here if you hire a unmarked Taxi, like looting your valuables like mobile phone, money and iqama.

even happened with regular taxis too.

rareshine wrote:

the idea of 'hitchhiking' is only strange in the western world.. here it is common- while i'd never get into an unmarked car alone, i'd ride with someone else in the car with me. What is the difference with marked cars( taxis) anyway, they're all strangers

Thats it! You would never get into an unmarked car alone. While he did, in a van when he was still new in the place. It's just crazy and very trusting. I'm glad he was picked up by good fellas.

iaminriyadh wrote:

rareshine wrote:

the idea of 'hitchhiking' is only strange in the western world.. here it is common- while i'd never get into an unmarked car alone, i'd ride with someone else in the car with me. What is the difference with marked cars( taxis) anyway, they're all strangers

Thats it! You would never get into an unmarked car alone. While he did, in a van when he was still new in the place. It's just crazy and very trusting. I'm glad he was picked up by good fellas.

I'd stay away from "Good Fellas"

This one kills me, and I have learned to speak up! --- I am in line at the bank, waiting behind the Pakistanis, Indians, Philippinos and Bagalis... Maily the people who do the real work in this country... And a Saudi walks in fully dressed as if we are not there and tries to jump the line. Me being me, and from North America, have learned to put a stop to this non-sense by firstly shocking them with English, then, after they realize I am not one of those they feel entitled to abuse (ie. nationalities above), they back off and apologize! Americans, Canadians and Brits are untouchable here! Stand your ground people! Unfortunately, for a country with a belief system which is enthralled with EQUALITY teachings, this does not take place here!

ginoexpatksa wrote:

This one kills me, and I have learned to speak up! --- I am in line at the bank, waiting behind the Pakistanis, Indians, Philippinos and Bagalis... Maily the people who do the real work in this country... And a Saudi walks in fully dressed as if we are not there and tries to jump the line. Me being me, and from North America, have learned to put a stop to this non-sense by firstly shocking them with English, then, after they realize I am not one of those they feel entitled to abuse (ie. nationalities above), they back off and apologize! Americans, Canadians and Brits are untouchable here! Stand your ground people! Unfortunately, for a country with a belief system which is enthralled with EQUALITY teachings, this does not take place here!

You got lucky, try that somewhere else, you'll get a real kicker out of it.

Seen many instances where an expat tried to act smart and took them nowhere. In fact search online there are many incidents on that. Grocery stores, malls, etc.

If the Saudis gang up on you, then not even those Pakistanis, Indians, Philippinos and Bagalis will come to save your behind

I was shocked on the first day of my work when my co worker told me to sit down when urinating..lol

ginoexpatksa wrote:

This one kills me, and I have learned to speak up! --- I am in line at the bank, waiting behind the Pakistanis, Indians, Philippinos and Bagalis... Maily the people who do the real work in this country... And a Saudi walks in fully dressed as if we are not there and tries to jump the line. Me being me, and from North America, have learned to put a stop to this non-sense by firstly shocking them with English, then, after they realize I am not one of those they feel entitled to abuse (ie. nationalities above), they back off and apologize! Americans, Canadians and Brits are untouchable here! Stand your ground people! Unfortunately, for a country with a belief system which is enthralled with EQUALITY teachings, this does not take place here!

Not in our place, in taif, even if they are saudis they always fall in line, because there is always a security guard to handle them..

Just to clarify my point on businesses operating time: The only business open all day are banks until around the afternoon prayer, most other businesses with the exception of food places open after Al Magteb which is the evening prayer. I said 7:30 these days because during prayer they are closed, which mean they open after prayer.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! This is too funny!!!!!!!!! Rolling on the floor here folks!!!

Yea just lay on the floor there. The non use of marijuana is getting to you,  Or the Tim Hortons double double not good enough ? We are talking about culture shock in this thread not culture disrespect.

Banks are open 9:30 to 4. Not afternoon prayers

Malls open after Asr prayers which is right about around 5ish. Business traders including wholesale shops as well open around that time in addition to their morning shift which is like 9am to 12pm

Gino are you sure you Canadian? I mean Gino sounds Italian with that attitude of yours. Lay it cool on the hair gel and DJ Pauly D dress up.

Eh.

engnoyp wrote:

I was shocked on the first day of my work when my co worker told me to sit down when urinating..lol

Oh yes! First time I went in a public toilet I saw this thing on the floor and I thought that it's the only kind that they have. I had no idea how to squat and which way to face. I had to open up my phone and watch on youtube how to use it. Gah!!!

I've taken dozens of private cars as a makeshift taxi, usually saloons around the east coast and dababs in the north - often riding in the flatbed part with a few friends and receiving lots of waves from laughing locals. One time the driver was a bit of a prat but every other time they've been friendly and inexpensive.

To get around the prayer time, "Oh $h17 I've turned up just as they were closing!" problem, I often will get ready to go out when I hear Maghrib and have completed my shopping before Isha. It's usually quieter during that short time as well 

Some stories make me laugh and some make me feel sorry, i lived all my life here in KSA so i get used to rules and culture, but still sometimes i shocked from some stuff like one time me and my friends were playing billiards and bowling and some guy stopped us because it's prayer time he took the cue sticks and told us don't move the balls and continue the game after pray

Rana-A wrote:

Some stories make me laugh and some make me feel sorry, i lived all my life here in KSA so i get used to rules and culture, but still sometimes i shocked from some stuff like one time me and my friends were playing billiards and bowling and some guy stopped us because it's prayer time he took the cue sticks and told us don't move the balls and continue the game after pray

I've played billiards as early as I could reach the table. When I transferred to Riyadh, I have never seen a place where I could play. I'm so envious!

Hi guys,

I had to remove a few posts from here .. or close the entire thread. I've made my choice

Thanks for your comprehension, wishing you a great day,

Julien

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your contribution on my topic.

It seems that everything has been said and i am now closing this thread.

I wish you all a nice day.
Christine