Has anyone worked in Saudi Arabia

glenimp617

glenimp617

glenimp617

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I've been offered to work a few weeks of the year in Saudi. Not something I have ever considered up until now.

Just wondering if anyone has worked out there, and if so, what it's like

I'll be undertaking some large IT projects, and will (I guess) be working solo for the most part

I hear people are slow so you need need the patience of a saint
 
I haVe for short periods but deal with them on a daily basis.

You need so much patience, they want everything done yesterday and can be VERY rude on emails but never to your face.

It's an odd place, but nothing like what the press make it out to be. It's pretty western in terms of what you can do and eat (apart from alcohol). Follow the rules and you'll be fine.

Oh yeah, it's MEGA hot in summer, not like any heat here in the UK. The hotels are very grand and there is a lot of money about. Prepare for no one in the service industry to speak English.
 
Yes, I hear it gets well into the 40s

I shall be working late in the afternoons, early evenings due to not being allowed near any women in the company? Guess if it's that hot, could work in my favor
 
glen8 said:
Yes, I hear it gets well into the 40s

I shall be working late in the afternoons, early evenings due to not being allowed near any women in the company?
Click to expand...

Haha! Is that just a rule for Saudi or one that HR have imposed on you over here too?
 
glen8 said:
Yes, I hear it gets well into the 40s

I shall be working late in the afternoons, early evenings due to not being allowed near any women in the company? Guess if it's that hot, could work in my favor
Click to expand...

Don't know where you're getting your info from. I'm in Saudi a lot. Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. In fact I'm in Abu Dhabi now having just spent 3 days in Riyadh.

Saudi is fine. You will work alongside women and now take on most roles in an organisation, including CIO.

Respect local cultures. Take time to read and understand the do's and Dont's.

I prefer the west coast (Jeddah). Feels more relaxed and the Red Sea is beautiful.
 
glen8 said:
I shall be working late in the afternoons, early evenings due to not being allowed near any women in the company?
Click to expand...

brilliant

We had to deal with backwards cultures when bringing Indian colleagues over to London for a few weeks, there was one female coming over with the group and she had to catch a different flight and stay in a hotel the other side of London as a result of the segregated travel policy for their office. So the guys had a hotel right next to the office and she, a lone female who had never left India, had to commute across London and back each day.
 
I've worked in Riyadh, currently set to go back in December for two weeks. As mentioned it can take ages to get things done, even though demands are made for things to be finished before they have started. You'll waste a lot of time waiting for said things to be completed. Other than that though it's a lot more western than I thought, a lot of expats from neighboring countries, I was eating in a burger joint and KFC a lot (close to where I was working).
Kingdom Tower was quite good if you have spare time, decent view from the observation deck.
The dual entrances for singles/families I found a little strange. Make sure you know what you can and can't do. I tended to fully cover my arms and legs, wear plain clothes, etc. just mainly out of respect and to not stand out as much.
 
+1 for the Kingdom Tower. Nice restaurant up there too (obviously before you reach the top). I find the people in Saudi to be very hospitable and often keen to take you out to dinner - which can be an interesting event.

Some funny little things to look out of, like handing things over with your left hand (avoid this) and even declining offers for things as small as coffee!

RE things taking a long time - depends on the PM! Some are on the ball. Might be industry specific.

Good point about clothing though I often roll my shirt sleeves up in the hot summers. Shorts are a definite no when out and about, though in the hotel it's usually fine if going to the gym. Don't wear shorts to dinner though!
 
My mate Dave used to work over there. Nice bloke, a few issues while he was there but home now.

I should catch up with him, lost contact a while ago, wonder what one-hand Dave is up to?
 
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