Diversity/tolerance/racism question

Whoa...white American guy said "football" that's a first.

As for racism goes, it's not an issue at all. You'll find interracial couples but you'll be given the look.

Majority of the Saudi population is young expats who have lived abroad or living abroad, so it's normal nowadays.

You're fine...just come and enjoy

Father is British, and I work with a load of UK citizens at the moment. ^^

Football is a big part of life!

Also, thanks for the peace of mind.

Wife is worried about violence, and the like.

To be blunt; there is a LOT of racism or discrimination but it is directed towards darker skinned expats - mostly from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and the like.

As a white American, you will actually be deferred to and fawned over .  There should be no problem for your wife as well.  There are only two worst case situations I foresee:

1) People will mistake her for a Filipina and make snide remarks behind her back (related to perception about them going for western men for passports and the like - before anyone gets offended, this is not my view but what is usually said in this part of the world which I am simply reproducing)
2) You might be asked to prove you are married by authorities at a check point when out and about together.  A copy of your residence card is all that's needed (and especially when they see you are American...they tend to back off quickly).  Hardly likely though by the way as they almost never stop families or expats (unless of course it is 4-5 pakistani or indian men in a car)

Don't worry about the other aspects i.e. violence or muggings.  This part of the world is much much safer in those aspects vs. say the US or even downtown Seoul at night .  Worry about other things like crazy driving!!

I have spent time working in Amman, Jordan, and Istanbul, Turkey, in the past. Love the cultures of Muslim countries.

We have similar issues in Korea with discrimination of people from the Philippines and other darker skinned Asians; it is quite the shame.

Thanks, XTang, appreciate it.

NO discrimination whatsoever...... Enjoy your stay here.

Safe Travels!!!

AdnKhn wrote:

NO discrimination whatsoever......

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omg
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hamudi wrote:

AdnKhn wrote:

NO discrimination whatsoever......

hahahahah hahahahaha hahahahaha
omg
hahahahah hahahahaha hahahahaha

My sentiments exactly

Agree with what XTang saying, no problem at all for the interracial couples in general. Locals are extremely friendly with the people from the west. Probably your wife will be taken for a Philipino, but it is ok.
Being a Pakistani or Indian here is a different story, unfortunately.

I'm a Pakistani national, yet I have never come across any sort of discrimination in the 7+ years that I have resided here in The Kingdom. Thus my statement above.

In fact, to the contrary everyone has been really hospitable and courteous towards me.

I am not saying that this place is some kind of a hell, ok) But I do hear an unpleasant stories from my pakistani and indian friends time to time. I agree that it is not a common thing here overall, and I am sure that most of us will never face any issue of this kind.

That's good for you then and of course for yourself,  your opinion is based on your experience and as such is totally valid. 

However, the point that was being discussed is from an overall environment perspective and your experience is unfortunately not representative of what the average person from that part of the world experiences. 

Like you, I have not personally experienced discrimination but I am objective enough to understand that it is because I am at a very senior level and have a very different economic profile from most of my country men who enter this place.  However, I have also seen enough horror stories happen to the less fortunate over the last decade to not be blinded into thinking that this is utopia.   And also unfortunately, the probability of this is higher in Saudi vs. say Bahrain or UAE.

Lastly, you need to be clear on what constitutes discrimination.  It's not just people being nasty to you on the street but a collection of many elements e.g. economic aspects such as; in most cases, it is a clear fact that even when equally qualified, an indian expat will be paid less than an arab expat who will be paid less than a western expat etc.  Or even at basic services like housing & schooling where your nationality would restrict you or your kids from benefiting as they would only entertain western expats for example.   When you put all of this together, you start to get a clear picture of what the reality is.

I'm agreeing the most with what XTang had said above - brutal but that's the reality! Racial typecast is widespread around here:

If you're White/Caucasian male - you'll be seen as a hotshot/boss/specialist/demi-god(?)
If you're Filipino - you'll be seen as a masseuse

I lost count how many times people had asked me if I will do massage for them in the past 5 years here, many sexual advances, partial harassment etc - because I look like a Filipino.

What I have heard here sounds very similar to what I have witnessed in Korea, but the white elevation to a lesser extent. I used to automatically be considered US military due to my short hair and stature...needless to say, I don't keep it as short anymore.

I am sorry to hear of the issues some of you have faced, white guilt is very much a part of my life raising a biracial child and being in an interracial marriage. I look forward to meeting some of you in the future, as it seems I will in fact be taking the position in Dammam.

Hi Uther, I can relate as I am also bi-racial from two complete opposite side of the racial spectrum.

It will not be an issue for you and the family in Dammam, I am quite sure of this. But be prepared to see racial typecasting around. I've learned not to let it bother myself and reject any advances in the most diplomatic way possible. I found that to be the least mentally draining and derogatory.

On the other hand, I do see many interracial families in Bahrain. I've made a couple of friends and hanging out with them also helped me to accept, understand and appreciate things around here.

Welcome Uther.  And as Modjo said, racial typecasting is a way of life here.  It is so common that after a while, you don't even notice it or get upset

I can say I have moved past it in my life here, as I tend to keep my circle relatively small. Moving to Dammam will kick off my tenth year abroad!

Home... where's that?

Yep....home is an arbitrary concept at best when you are out for so long.  I can relate to that.

Good luck with your new job and hope you & your family have a great time here.

You'll be fine, unless if you live in a low class neighborhood that would be a different thing, but I assume you gonna stay in a compound which is more than fine.

Flaminski wrote:

You'll be fine, unless if you live in a low class neighborhood that would be a different thing, but I assume you gonna stay in a compound which is more than fine.

This kinda represent what I said earlier