I'm so freaking irritated right now. We're preparing our shipment for relocation to pick up in less than a month. Roland has some friends (they seem like really nice people) that he's known since being in Saudi, and when he first arrived the man part of this couple was really nice to him, etc. So...it was a no brainer when they asked to put "a few things" in our shipment. Well...the few things have gone from, a washer and dryer, to no washer and dryer just "a bunch of baby stuff", to a bunch of baby stuff, half the stuff they wished they had brought the 1st time, and a washer and dryer!!! And, by the way it wasn't asked, it was presented like, we just have a few extra things.
So...I almost feel as if I can't say anything since we may be hanging out this these people, but shit...this is a total disrespect as far as I'm concerned. While she is telling me about what I can buy there...she's eeking more crap into my shipment. It feels like she's keeping my shipment light so she can squeeze in more shit.
To be fair...they have agreed to pay if the shipment goes over the alloted weight. But...she wants me to store their stuff at our place...then hang around waiting for her washer and dryer to be delivered. When she threw that out...I was livid. Like, in my last 3 weeks in the country and at work, with all I have to do to prepare, I'm going to want to be dealing with this. A simple favor has turned into a pain in the ass.
Monday, November 24, 2008
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5 comments:
I do hope you know these people well. As the shipment will be under your names, any contraband discovered by Customs will fall at your feet.
While I appreciate the spirit of being helpful and all, this is very dangerous.
Do you remember when airlines would ask if you were carrying something for someone else before they'd issue you a boarding pass? There was a reason for that.
The reasons for self-protection become larger as the 'favor' becomes larger.
I agree with John...gotta be firm and say no...or at least get a sniffer dog out for a once over...and make sure there is no porn etc snuck in...or even a Bible.
I just want to comment that their request is not "unusual". It is common in Saudi Arabia to ask a friend to put your stuff in their shipment, you can assume it as a part of Saudi culture. However, you have the right to say no.
If I know someone who is travelling soon from the U.S to KSA, I would ask him to bring maybe some electronics, dvds that are not available in KSA. Even within Saudi Arabia, a Saudi may ask a friend to add stuff to his shipment (from Jeddah To Dhahran for example).
You have to make sure what is in their stuff? As you know that you cannot bring Alcohol, of course, playboy magazines or pornography stuff.
I wish you a safe trip.
I just want to tell you that if you start to hang out with her there,remember to edit this blog so that don't read this later unless if you don't care.
I think if they are a couple then there is nothing to be worry about and people do this all the time but as long as there stuff is at your place you can be sure that there is nothing wrong inside the stuff.
I felt as if I were being taking advantage of. Period. I don't mind helping people, and I know the expat community is small in Saudi. However, just for me...if I asked someone to do me a favor (will you ship A)...I wouldn't keep piling stuff on (and then when you showed up, I had A, B, and C). It's just not me, because I would feel like I were taking advantage of that person...something I absolutely would NEVER do.
So...to update you...I've since expressed my feelings directly to "her". And, we've worked it out. We're going to help them with the things they originally asked us to ship. The rest is on them. So...hopefully now it's all good. If not...cest la vie.
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