What not to take into Riyadh?
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Faraaz
The key thing is that us westerners have to abide by Islamic culture when abroad in the middle east and especially in Saudi. However, Saudis and those from the Middle East don't have to conform (and don't!) to UK and western culture.
There would be a mighty uproar if customs in LHR made Iran Air cabin crew take off their hejab and confiscated all Quran's held by Muslim cabin and flight crew. However bmi crew will and others have to conform to a strict cultural code in Saudi. It is hardly fair is it?
The key thing is that us westerners have to abide by Islamic culture when abroad in the middle east and especially in Saudi. However, Saudis and those from the Middle East don't have to conform (and don't!) to UK and western culture.
There would be a mighty uproar if customs in LHR made Iran Air cabin crew take off their hejab and confiscated all Quran's held by Muslim cabin and flight crew. However bmi crew will and others have to conform to a strict cultural code in Saudi. It is hardly fair is it?
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Girls, if the previous posts don't scare you, then try this.I believe there are some really butch customs ladies there that are only too keen to give you a "personal" look over behind the screens, just to see that you are free of contraban.
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Dear all
I do not normally reply to posts on this website, but i couldn't resist this one.
Anyone who does not like the way of life in Riyadh should not go there. SIMPLE. At the end of the day, if you are part of the crew and have to fly to certain countries of the world, then you should respect the law of their land ! If you can't, then i suggest you quit your job which requires you to fly to these destinations.
The saudi's have not invited you, so you have no right to tell them how they should run their country! Part of being cabin crew is to travel the world and see different people and cultures. If every country in the world had the same laws and customs as the western world, then how boring would this world be!
There are many people who come to the UK and don't like our way of life. However, they do not try and change this. How would you feel if for example the saudi's came over here and suggested that we stopped serving alcohol publicly? Think about it !
By the way, i am NOT a saudi.
777man
I do not normally reply to posts on this website, but i couldn't resist this one.
Anyone who does not like the way of life in Riyadh should not go there. SIMPLE. At the end of the day, if you are part of the crew and have to fly to certain countries of the world, then you should respect the law of their land ! If you can't, then i suggest you quit your job which requires you to fly to these destinations.
The saudi's have not invited you, so you have no right to tell them how they should run their country! Part of being cabin crew is to travel the world and see different people and cultures. If every country in the world had the same laws and customs as the western world, then how boring would this world be!
There are many people who come to the UK and don't like our way of life. However, they do not try and change this. How would you feel if for example the saudi's came over here and suggested that we stopped serving alcohol publicly? Think about it !
By the way, i am NOT a saudi.
777man
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I agree that the world would be a boring place if everything was the same but the simple fact is that foreigners in Saudi have no option but to conform to Islamic law. In the UK though foreigners don't have to conform or even attempt to integrate into western society - and they don't!
True when you put many into the context but there are quite a few that want to change our lives. Look at the Islamic terrorist attacks in London - apparently done to provoke fear and change our daily lives. Going some time back, I recall one Islamic scholar stating that he projected that in a few decades time the UK will by default be an Islamic state since Islam is growing in the UK. That sounds like an agenda of change to me!
I am not saying that Saudi Arabia should change their way of life - after all that is what makes Saudi different! However the difference is that visitors and expats in the UK can live as they would in their own country but you can't in Saudi.
Anyway this is veering far away from the original topic.
There are many people who come to the UK and don't like our way of life. However, they do not try and change this.
I am not saying that Saudi Arabia should change their way of life - after all that is what makes Saudi different! However the difference is that visitors and expats in the UK can live as they would in their own country but you can't in Saudi.
Anyway this is veering far away from the original topic.
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of course, valid points and all and i wasnt being aggressive in my post before anyone says that 
its just what i picked up from living in the middle east all my life (being british)...
i suppose what makes it hard for westerners to come to saudi is that its going from a more liberal society to a more conservative one...which is harder in terms of integration than the opposite!!
but yes, veering away from the topic...dont bring drugs, guns, things that show you want to convert people, alcohol etc etc
its just what i picked up from living in the middle east all my life (being british)...i suppose what makes it hard for westerners to come to saudi is that its going from a more liberal society to a more conservative one...which is harder in terms of integration than the opposite!!
but yes, veering away from the topic...dont bring drugs, guns, things that show you want to convert people, alcohol etc etc
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Mr R Sole: Sorry, i know this wasn't meant to be the topic but your point about westerners having to conform to islamic law in saudi.
The law in saudi is based on Islam. However, the law over here is certainly not based on Christianity or any other religion. Yes, i agree that saudi's coming here are not subjected to religious laws, but they still have to adibe by English law!(murder, rape, crime etc etc)
Therefore, my point is, whichever country people visit, the should respect the law of the land irrespective of whether the law is based on religion or not!
I do not agree with the terrorists but your point of them trying to change the way of life here is not true. They are merely trying to stop the injustice taking place around the middle east which many people are turning a blind eye to.
Anyway, i think we are well of the topic now.
No offence intended to anyone!
The law in saudi is based on Islam. However, the law over here is certainly not based on Christianity or any other religion. Yes, i agree that saudi's coming here are not subjected to religious laws, but they still have to adibe by English law!(murder, rape, crime etc etc)
Therefore, my point is, whichever country people visit, the should respect the law of the land irrespective of whether the law is based on religion or not!
I do not agree with the terrorists but your point of them trying to change the way of life here is not true. They are merely trying to stop the injustice taking place around the middle east which many people are turning a blind eye to.
Anyway, i think we are well of the topic now.
No offence intended to anyone!
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I do not agree with the terrorists but your point of them trying to change the way of life here is not true. They are merely trying to stop the injustice taking place around the middle east which many people are turning a blind eye to.
Without getting too much into politics - this statement is not true.
There are terrorists who clearly state that they want to turn the UK (just as an example, also true for Germany and others) into an islamic state. I admit there are others who just want foreign troops to leave the middle east or fight for freedom because they live under a strict and undemocratic regime.
Could we just leave such general statements aside - black and white is never true as far as my experiecne goes.
Regards, Bernhard
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N5528P: I am not a terrorist, i dont agree with terrorism, nor can i understand the mind of a terrorist. However, I'm not so sure about terrorist's killing innocent people just because they want to turn the country into an islamic state. If that was the case, they would be attacking all non- islamic states. Clearly this is not the case as several bombs have gone off in Riyadh, Casablanca. istanbul etc etc....(all islamic states).
Al qaeda seem to be the biggest terrorist group in the world, and they have specifically said that they are doing this in response to the injustice in the middle east.
Enough said.
Al qaeda seem to be the biggest terrorist group in the world, and they have specifically said that they are doing this in response to the injustice in the middle east.
Enough said.
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killing innocent people just because they want to turn the country into an islamic state
Terrorists are attacking countries like Saudi Arabia because they want to turn them into fundamentalist Islamic states, they do not believe that the Saudi rulers are running the country correctly. Their idea for the land of the two Holy Mosques is a country with a Taleban style government.
Injustice in the Middle East is just a smoke screen.....
Mutt.
Terrorists are attacking countries like Saudi Arabia because they want to turn them into fundamentalist Islamic states, they do not believe that the Saudi rulers are running the country correctly. Their idea for the land of the two Holy Mosques is a country with a Taleban style government.
Injustice in the Middle East is just a smoke screen.....
Mutt.
ZbV
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About what to take to Saudi... Well if you feel that an item such as a "Human interest magazine" or what have you, could be and item you should not take with you, leave it home. Use common sense.
Without getting too involved in the thread hijack. Islamic clerics in more than one European country have made more than one occational comment about "Not wanting to integrate but rather change the society they live in" . That is a direct reference to Europe.
JJ
Without getting too involved in the thread hijack. Islamic clerics in more than one European country have made more than one occational comment about "Not wanting to integrate but rather change the society they live in" . That is a direct reference to Europe.
JJ
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Customs
These days customs is ok, but make sure you pick the line where they have the x-ray machines, the alternative is the one with the 'manual x-ray' (they go through everything by hand!),a nd they do go though EVERY bag.
It is better, gone are the days when you had to remove 'st michael' labels from M&S clothing, or they would take every magazine and attack it with a black marker pen, but yeh, anything overtly religious, alcoholic or too much skin will get attention.
If you really want a drink, befriend some westerners living on a compound where it is basically a western world, with bars, mixed swiming pools etc.
Most international hotels are fine, as long as you dress modestly, should you want to go down town and buy very cheap gold etc, then you need to be covered to you ankles and writsts ( no shorts for blokes either!
Oh and enjoy the summer weather 50°C in the shade!
It is better, gone are the days when you had to remove 'st michael' labels from M&S clothing, or they would take every magazine and attack it with a black marker pen, but yeh, anything overtly religious, alcoholic or too much skin will get attention.
If you really want a drink, befriend some westerners living on a compound where it is basically a western world, with bars, mixed swiming pools etc.
Most international hotels are fine, as long as you dress modestly, should you want to go down town and buy very cheap gold etc, then you need to be covered to you ankles and writsts ( no shorts for blokes either!
Oh and enjoy the summer weather 50°C in the shade!
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Saudi Arabia!!!!
Saudi Arabia is not all doom and gloom.....some of the hotels are very nice (if you don't leave it that is) most of the workers in the hotels are not Saudi nationals anyway....and are very accomodating (even to women...honest) trust me I have been in and out for the last 10 years....and you do get used to it, you can't do anything but really, at least you know you will be leaving more or less as soon as you arrive (BMI) so make the most of a nice hotel and catch up on that long lost sleep and hours of pampering in your room. If you are staying in Riyahd you must get down to 'harvey nic's' has great sales, and the 'Kingdom' shopping centre is great also....especially if you are staying in the four seasons hotel as it is in the same building....there is even a starbucks to make you feel right at home....although the shops close every few hours for upto 40 minutes at a time for prayer....so you have to time it correctly.....
All the things we hear....a lot of them are very true....we are mearly fulfilling our duties in the job we choose to do!!!
My motto is to keep your head down (if you are a woman....covered) don't draw attention to yourself for the night or two that you are there. Don't even attempt to take any naughties into the country....as you will probably get searched or screened, anything offensive found (even a mere drop of alcohol) can lead to severe penalties for yourself and the airline (and I am not talking about a slap on the wrist).
Nothing is going to change over night in Saudi.....so we might as well accept it for the short time we are there as what else can we do??
Oh yes...forgot to say....saudia catering do a great chicken biriyani....and tom yum soup!!!!! mmmmm
PS. Not going to mention terrorism on my reply as lets face it....it is happening everywhere!
Just be cautious.....and most of all SENSIBLE......have a good trip!!!!!!
Saudi Arabia is not all doom and gloom.....some of the hotels are very nice (if you don't leave it that is) most of the workers in the hotels are not Saudi nationals anyway....and are very accomodating (even to women...honest) trust me I have been in and out for the last 10 years....and you do get used to it, you can't do anything but really, at least you know you will be leaving more or less as soon as you arrive (BMI) so make the most of a nice hotel and catch up on that long lost sleep and hours of pampering in your room. If you are staying in Riyahd you must get down to 'harvey nic's' has great sales, and the 'Kingdom' shopping centre is great also....especially if you are staying in the four seasons hotel as it is in the same building....there is even a starbucks to make you feel right at home....although the shops close every few hours for upto 40 minutes at a time for prayer....so you have to time it correctly.....
All the things we hear....a lot of them are very true....we are mearly fulfilling our duties in the job we choose to do!!!
My motto is to keep your head down (if you are a woman....covered) don't draw attention to yourself for the night or two that you are there. Don't even attempt to take any naughties into the country....as you will probably get searched or screened, anything offensive found (even a mere drop of alcohol) can lead to severe penalties for yourself and the airline (and I am not talking about a slap on the wrist).
Nothing is going to change over night in Saudi.....so we might as well accept it for the short time we are there as what else can we do??
Oh yes...forgot to say....saudia catering do a great chicken biriyani....and tom yum soup!!!!! mmmmm
PS. Not going to mention terrorism on my reply as lets face it....it is happening everywhere!
Just be cautious.....and most of all SENSIBLE......have a good trip!!!!!!
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Mutt, guess not newsworthy enough to have journos queing up for the first flight(1st Sept), but then perhaps there might be another reason!
bmi offering economy return for 327GBP incl tax for travel out September, back within three months!
bmi offering economy return for 327GBP incl tax for travel out September, back within three months!
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A friend of mine who was working in a hospital in Ryiadh told me that he and his wife went with another married couple to a fun fair, apparently there were bumper cars/dodgems there, his friends wife got into the drivers seat and was promptly told to get out of the drivers seat by the ride operator.. mad or what?? ha ha!!!
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saudi
I lived in Saudi for 3 years - and can honestly say, while it is not the best place to live - I actually had a great time
Don't knock it until you try it.
And the abaya is really handy - you can go down for breakfast in your pyjamas...
however, I have never seen so much drugs, alcohol and porn in one country in my entire life...
I would be more worried about how the passengers will be (7 hours of that - YUCK) than how staying there would be...
Don't knock it until you try it.
And the abaya is really handy - you can go down for breakfast in your pyjamas...
however, I have never seen so much drugs, alcohol and porn in one country in my entire life...
I would be more worried about how the passengers will be (7 hours of that - YUCK) than how staying there would be...
I Have Control
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Best thing to take out of Saudi is.....yourself, ....with all limbs, hands, feet still attached!
Seriously, take care not to offend, especially the vigilant Religious Police. That said, common sense best applied, so no booze, porn, drugs obviously,or anything smacking of fun.
Indian food is good, and the tranquillity of booze-free sleep is worth experiencing for a few days/weeks.
Seriously, take care not to offend, especially the vigilant Religious Police. That said, common sense best applied, so no booze, porn, drugs obviously,or anything smacking of fun.
Indian food is good, and the tranquillity of booze-free sleep is worth experiencing for a few days/weeks.
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Good luck BMI crew,Sir Bish must really have it in for you sending you there.
You'll be wishing you where on a 6 sector day when every passenger hates you for no reason.At least you'll feel relatively safe.
YES I HATED the place.If hell is anything like it I'll have to start behaving!!.
Good luck,you'll need it .
WTDWL.
You'll be wishing you where on a 6 sector day when every passenger hates you for no reason.At least you'll feel relatively safe.
YES I HATED the place.If hell is anything like it I'll have to start behaving!!.
Good luck,you'll need it
.WTDWL.