| Learn the local customs of Saudi Arabia. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Saudi Arabia locals. Map |
 | Saudi Arabia Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 106 |  |
 Women covering @the mosque. by marimar_72
For an example,I pray my 5 prayers each day,I fast the holy month of Ramadan,and I visit Mecca each year,by preforming Omra,(Al Hamdulila,or in other word,Thank God).
yet I don`t cover while I`m out side Saudi Arabia,not because I believe I shouldn`t,but I guess i`m not a perfect muslim,and deep down in my heart I do believe inorder to complete the "Female muslim`s tasks"I have to be covering my head.
Wearing the veil is all about staying decent.not because we`re shy of how we look.it`s all about treasuring urself,and being obedient to God. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Saudi Arabia?
Read reviews about Saudi Arabia Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 A wedding reception by marimar_72
In Jiddah for example there are two kinds of weddings:
an Islamic wedding were only women attend and the bride walks alone down the aisle,music is played only by drums.and songs are preformed by females singers.
or an ordinary wedding where the bride walks down the aisle with her groom (all women cover up)and after reaching the stage where they are seated,the family male members of both bride and groom enter to greet the married couple,soon the male family members leave to another hall.
Music is played with all kinds of instruments and ladies dances the night away.
The bride says her "I Do" in another ceremony called (Milcka)sometimes it`s few months before the wedding reception.so she is able to go out with her fiancee when he is officially her husband ;-) Leave a Comment
|
I`m writing this on the rememberence of my formel aunt who passed away few years back..if it wasn`t for this experience I wouldn`t knew lots of our condolences customs....
When a person dies,a condolence gathering is set up in his/her`s house or any other relative`s house(it`s agreed by the members of his family).
One line of light bulbs,is hung on the house front to mark the house for people to come and pay their condolences.
The gathering is held for three days in a row to give people a chance to come.
Most people arrive between the Maghrib prayers(sunset),and the Isha prayers(night time).
A brief lecture is given by a religious person,followed by a prayer for the dead person`s soul.
As everything else in Saudi Arabia,men and women are separated,the men are seated outside the house while women are seated inside of the houses.
The relatives of the dead person are seated in a row and usually wear white clothing with white scarves,(that`s for women)to be recognised by people coming to pay their condolences,as the non-relatives stay in their Abayas(the black cloak).
When entering the place(if your a woman),you should say "Al salamu alaikom"
which is the Islamic greeting,then go stright to the relatives row and kiss each person on one cheek only saying" Atham Allah Ajrakom"
meaning(may Allah greatly reward you)on their patience.
Arabic coffee is being served on a tray,unlike other happy events where guests are being offerd coffee refills more than once.in a condolence place,you get to drink only one small cup.served with dates.
After the Isha prayers(night)dinner will be served,and it`s a custom to serve lamb on rice with chickpeas,though some people now ,offer buffets filled with international cuisine.
After dinner,everything is over,and people leave the house. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Well another fascinating thing about Saudi Arabia is that the one selling cosmetics and lingerie are all men !
So can you imagine how the whole environment will be like ? Things like " err, excuse me can I help you , what size are you looking for ? " kinda thing is gonna put a lot of ladies away especially asked by not only a man but someone you dont know !
So most ladies will buy from Bahrain or stock up whenever they go overseas ...after all isnt a little funny ?
And I wonder whether the men selling cosmetics actually put some on to promote their products .
And the irony is that , when the society doesnt allow women to talk or come in contact with other male not in the family ? How about situation like this ?
Sometimes all this things actually make me wonder and wonder ! Leave a Comment
|
 socialize!, a by Manyana
The opening's questions usually are like this: 'how are you?', 'how's your mother', 'how's your father?', how're your siblings?', 'how's your housekeeper? is she cooking well and treating you good?', 'are you doing fine with your husband/wife?'. Then these question will often be repeated twice or three times. This may last for 3 minutes (I know it may sound frustrating) but symbolizes care and politeness, if you don't insist on asking such questions, you'd show you're not interested.
The main purpose of the call usually goes around gossips or discussing daily life. Women often talk about cooking and last fashion and work problems and men about work and sports. Be aware, sometimes phone calls come out for the sake of talking, no main purpose usually. Such a phone call may last for one hour or two.
The closing which is the disaster. It may last for another 3 minutes like the opening but to keep saying, 'good bye', 'bye', 'salaam', 'salaam alikum' and all kind of byes. It goes like this: say you soon, good bye...the other end: good bye. Ok have a nice evening, bye...the other end again: you too, my salaam to your family, bye...and so on.
This may sound funny yet frustrating for Westerners who live in Saudi. You'd learn the rule very well and find yourself embodying them without a prior notice. I know, Westerners usually say 'hello' and 'bye' once and that's it, very busy life. in Saudi, it's still a busy life but that does not prevent anyone from showing care and affection and usually that is present on phone. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting Saudi Arabia?
Read reviews about Saudi Arabia Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
For men
-----------
For those familiar with the European tradition of using just a forename, optional middle name and surname, names in the Arab world can seem perplexing, not least because they can run to enormous length.
However, there is a logical structure to the Arab naming convention that, once seen, makes it simple to decipher a person's recent ancestry.
For example...
A man's name is Mohammad bin Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Fulani.
He is called Mohammad by his friends and family.
His family name is Al-Fulani
What does bin Ahmed bin Saleh mean? This simply means that he is the son of Ahmed who is in turn the son of Saleh.
Bin means son of.
For ladies
-------------
Nura bint Ahmed bin Saleh Al Fulani
for ladies you can see Bint ( Binti ) means daughter of.
She is named Nura, the daughter of Ahmed who is the son of Saleh.
So we have her given name, her father's name, her grandfather's name and the family name ( al Fulani )
It is interesting to note that when a Saudi or Gulf Arab woman marries, she does not change her name. When the above mentioned Nura marries, her name remains exactly the same. Her children, however, take their father's name.
iven name, his father's name and his grandfather's name, plus the family name. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 A little troublesome by kenyneo
It is important to note that permits for visits to all archaeological sites and forts in the country, except for those located in the Eastern province, are obtained at the Riyadh Museum. The exceptions to this rule are Dir'aiyah Permits are issued at no charge upon production of your passport or residence permit (igama).
For Western province ( eg Jeddah )
-----------------------------------------------
See my Jeddah page " must see activities "
For Eastern province
----------------------------r />
Not so strict but exercise care when local ladies are around Leave a Comment
|
Ramadan (RAH-mah-dahn) is a holy month of fasting wherein Muslims, who are physically able to refrain, do not eat, drink, smoke or engage in sexual activity, from the first sign of dawn until sunset. This month is a time for spiritual reflection and discipline. Pious adherents remember past sins. They express gratitude to God for his guidance. Many read through the entire Qur'an during this month.
The traditional Arabic greeting for Ramadan is "Ramadan Mubarak" (RAH-mah-dahn moo-BAR-ahk, "may God give you a blessed month"). Response is "Ramadan Karim (RAH-mah-dahn KAH-reem, "May God give you a generous month"). Leave a Comment
|
 Copper Chadni near Dammam
Corniche by kenyneo
times ( 5 times a day for about 30 min)..and these time will differ a littl from day to day but no worries ...coz you can always check the daily for the 5 prayers' time
( especially those who are going for a haircut , go atthe right time else you might end up standing outside the barber shop with your half-cut hair for 1/2 hour, this is not a joke ) this goes for lunch or dinner as well ! Its really an experience for me even though I come from Malaysia , an Islamic country .
Timing is precious here ! Leave a Comment
|
 No driving please by kenyneo
Thus moving around would be a little inconvenient. Well there is always the limo service .
Well for those who is used to driving, this could be something that you need to consider ! Leave a Comment
|
|
| Best Saudi Arabia Travel Deals |
Hotels in Saudi Arabia
Experience a hassle-free hotel stay Book Holiday Inn online now! Dubai Hotels
Spacious Rooms in Dubai City! Book now and save 20% off BAR Cheap Saudi Arabia Hotels
Save Time & Money With Easy Booking & Great Deals. Search Bing ™ Travel Burj Al Arab Hotel UAE
Exclusive Luxury Hotels & Resorts Choose from the World's Top Hotels. Riyadh Travel
Book With the Travel Company Rated #1 in Customer Service by Consumers Sponsored Links
More Saudi Arabia Travel Deals 175 Hotels in Dubai
Book your Hotel in Dubai online. No reservation costs. Great rates Dubai Hotels
Find the Perfect Hotel! Book Online for the Lowest Prices Guaranteed. Saudi Arabia Hotel
Madinah - Book Now! Amazing Discounts – Up To 80% Off Sponsored Links
|
