I was speaking to a long time friend, about how things were progressing with my move to Saudi. And, the thing that sticks out in my mind are her words, "I know...but don't trust them". This was in response to the nice comments I was telling her that I was receiving from Saudi's on my video; Why I'm Moving To Saudi Arabia.
This conversation took place a few days ago...but those words are still in my head. Then I started thinking, could I, being who I am (non- religious, nonconformist, non status-quo), ever have a real friendship with a Saudi woman? If I happen to meet a Saudi woman and the conversation is good; should I relax my guard? According to all (and this is from some westerners already living in Saudi), I should never trust them. If you're hanging out with them and something, anything, goes south, it's on you. These words of caution were disappointing to hear...but I think they are words to be heeded.
Then today...I see the following article on BBC: Egypt halts doctor visas to Saudi. Then I read the article. I think the article is indicative on the lack of understanding in common matters (i.e. if you take pain medication for an injury, there is a risk of addiction - this is common knowledge...this is NOT the doctors fault), and when there is no explanation that meets their satisfaction, instead of taking responsibility for their own actions, they blame "the foreigner".
Truthfully, I'll be on a western compound...so I think my interaction with the Saudi's will be limited. However, it leaves little as far as a cultural experience; well with the exception of having to wear the abaya.
Peace Out!!
15 comments:
There is a missing part of the story. Actually the Egyptian doctors are accused of raping patients, while they were under the influence of those drugs.
Saudi Arabia is as any part of the world, you can either trust some people and you may not. But generally, what your friend did tell you is not true.
Don't believe it unless you prove it.
Well...of course...if that was the case...they desearve punishment. I guess the question I would ask is...why isn't that in the article if that is indeed what they're being charged with? Or are the rape allegations rumor?
I ask because I hold the BBC World News in high esteem and trust what they put out as not being inflammatory, but based on the facts.
In regards to my friend...yea... I know she doesn't know what she's talking about in this case...as she has never been to the KSA. However, she is a dear friend, and is just looking out for me.
I wouldn't necessarily say don't put down your guard, just be aware of the differences in viewpoint that may arise. But if you're going to be on a compound, I don't think its as much to worry about than if you weren't.
This is coming from someone who's never been to Saudi (my mom lived there for a year in the 70s), but knows how it can be to socialize as a non-religious non-conformist with people who aren't so.
Love your blog!! I'll be a frequent reader!
Thanks Chickpea!!
Went to your website...looks like we have some similar taste in regards to books.
Have a Great Day!!
Hi,
I could not find the headline in English but if you have somebody who can translate this to English
http://www.alriyadh.com/2008/11/13/article387536.html
it is from a formal newspaper in KSA.
I think the BBC took the news from an Egyption source.
I think one of the doctors is accused of sexual assault of female patients.
If it was a rumer, it wouldn't appear in the formal newspaper in KSA.
I can translate some of it...
It says that the doctor is charged of raping 2 of his patients when they were under drug influence.
The newspaper is one of the biggest newspapers in KSA and i don't think that they will say something without being sure of it.
There was an official statement from the saudi Embassy in Egypt that said the same thing.
Anyway we can't be sure.
It's nice to have a friend that care for you but as long as i know there is no harm can come from a women here,not a single violent action have taken place here that have a women involved,maybe the Men that can't be trusted (including me as a man) ;)
Best regards :D
Thanks for the translation.
I have a Palestian friend who has been helping me with a lot of translation (he provided the text for my blog header), and I fear I have used him too much. So...I didn't even ask him on this one. LOL.
Thanks Again, and...
Have a Great Day!!
living on Aramco compound puts you in touch with many nationalities, incuding saudis. Since your living on a smaller camp you'll have the opportunity to meet saudi women more easily.
Don't trust "them" man one day I'm hoping we are past putting an entire ethnic group of people into a box. I would hope that people would leave their stereotypes and prejudices at the door and take people as they are.
my advice try to move past the 'us and them' mentality that way too many westerners come to saudi with. Indulge in the culture, speak to people, be open to new experiences and you just might find out that 'they' are women like you, have some of the same concerns, dreams, hopes and desires. That although their beliefs are different and their culture is different you can as women come together and agree or disagree all the same.
Nzingha,
Thanks for stopping by. You make an excellent point. I am in fact someone who enjoys meeting new people, from other cultures.
In my post (this one in particular)...since I'm documenting my move and transition...I have chosen to put out some of the things people are saying to me (at home and on the web) in order to have a true documentation about the experience, whether or not, I necessarily agree with them.
Terri while you may leave it you'll find that most expats don't. And it is easy to get sucked into the expat seperated world rather than emerse yourself a bit in the country your in. You'll find that for the most part Saudis are very friendly, and unlike much of the GCC Saudi women are more curious and open to meeting american women. Wanting to know how they like it, their experiences and showing them some Saudi hospitatlity.
You might even get some real interesting things to document :)
Terri, The Arabic news item talks about two different doctors: Shawki Ibrahim Abed Rabbo and Rauf Amin Mohammad al-Arabi. It is the former who is being charged for rape but Rauf Amin is not. He is being charged for four offences all of which are related to subscribing morphine.
The punishment for rape under Saudi law in not flogging but execution. And are we forgetting that you need four witnesses to prove rape? There is much that even the Arabic newspaper is not divulging. If the doctor had indeed raped his patients he would have been sent up to the heavens by now and not being flogged 70 times a week!
Same applies to Saudis going to America, should we trust the Americans? I mean there's the good and the bad everywhere. Just because America is cool and "generally" accepting doesn't mean that you should trust every American out there. With Saudi Arabia, it's the same, you can't trust anyone, but there are others who are trustworthy.
Speaking of trust, a friend of mine lived in a dorm room with a white American dude in W. Virgina, it was cool at first until that American kid stole the T.V. and the mini fridge and complained to the residence office that the Saudi kid is the one who did it. Not so trustworthy American, huh? Does it mean all Americans are not trustworthy? No. Do is it mean you have yo be careful when choosing who to trust? Yes.
naa7456: You;re correct in that you have to be careful everywhere. HOWEVER, the big difference is...in the states when they accused you of stealing the fridge, you weren't put in jail, without the ability to contact your parents, see a lawyer, and when/if you went to court, you probably only got probation...you weren't at risk of losing your hand (are they still doing this in the KSA?). The difference is here...if you hook up with the wrong person, you have a chance, and rights...in Saudi, me as a non-Saudi...don't have any rights.
Who said you don't have rights? That is wrong, big time, I'm not gonna get into details, you'll find out yourself when you get here. And as for "losing your hands" I don't know if they're still doing it, what I do know is that they'd never do it for stealing a T.V. or a fridge, it depends on many factors such as the number of times you have stolen, the purpose of stealing (i.e. feeding your family vs. buying street drugs and such.). It's not that simple.
Speaking of penalties, they still use the death penalty in Washington along with other 35 states, right? Now that's not so Human Rights-Friendly, is it? You see.
naa73456: No. I don't see. This post is not a debate. I'd rather deal with the judicial system in the US versus in the KSA. And, I think ANYONE would.
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