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Some Suggestions
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For expatriates
to travel outside the city, the Saudi Government requires you to have a
letter from your company, authorizing your travel. Your company officers
can provide you with necessary procedures and information.
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You are advised
to inform someone (either your neighbor or a member of your company) any
and every time you travel. Provide them with your planned route and
destination, names of the members of your party, make model and license of
your car, particularly when traveling in desert regions of the Kingdom.
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Women do not
drive in Saudi Arabia.
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Memorize
and carry correct name and telephone numbers of your husband’s company.
Know where these offices are located. Know the correct names and locations
of the schools your children attend.
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Make sure your
children have the name and phone number of your compound, your husband’s
office and a trusted neighbor in case of an emergency. This is especially
important for the emergency information file at your children’s school.
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Voltage in the
Kingdom can be either 110v or 220v. Know your voltage and choose your
appliances accordingly. Check out the various types of equipment, for
example, there are several different types of VCR’s in the Kingdom. If you
have a computer, a voltage regulator may be necessary. A surge protector
for computers and other electronic equipment is highly recommended. Both
110v and 220v supply sockets are provided on the Oasis, if you are unsure
which is which, do not hesitate to ask.
Traditional Arab
Etiquette
Conventional good manners and considerations for the customs and beliefs
of others prevail in Saudi Arabia as elsewhere. The Saudis themselves are
good humored, kind and informal as they expect others to be. They are not
likely to take offense at social blunders made by foreigners which, arise
not from intent, but from ignorance of customs.
In social conversations or even in opening a business conversation, there
is always the give and take of good humored small talk in which an
interest is shown in the health and well being of the other party. In
conversing with Arabs one should not show impatience, preoccupation with
other affairs or undue haste. In entertaining visitors, the host should
never terminate a conversation abruptly or seem to be dismissing a guest,
no matter how busy the host may be. |
