EXPATRIATE ARABIA

The life of an expatriate living and working in the Middle-Eastern country of Saudi Arabia is fraught with many problems; not only from the indigenous peoples and the people from a multitude of countries; but also from those westerners who should know better. Usually, a document on how to behave is passed out during the initial interview from most employers. Nevertheless, many people arrive to work in the country with little or no knowledge or idea or even respect for their hosts or the environment, believing they can do whatever they like and get away with it. However, the majority of Expats who are there, the Saidi way of life, their beliefs and traditions are respected and mostly complied with; even though there are a number of do's and don'ts, and it is mainly don'ts that have to be obeyed, which we shall come to as we go on. There are a number of occurrences in this book that when put into a short time frame may seem a lot, but these tales are spread over a relatively long period; but think for a moment: At the end of the day, if you were in a country who beheaded people for murder, stoned them for adultery and cut off their hands for thieving; would you not follow the laws of the country? You would think so, wouldn't you!