 | Riyadh Local Customs | Tips 71 - 79 of 79 |  |
Popular Local Customs | Miscellaneous Local Customs Tips | All Tips (79)
It's too hot and dry to eat outside in the summer, so bars and restaurants have vaporizers that spread you with fine drops of water while you're sipping your coffee. Relief! (cover your cup if you're having espresso) Leave a Comment
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Saudi Arabia is a completely dry country. It is illegal to bring alcohol to the country. So, make sure you don't do so. This also means that you will be unable to find any sort of alcohol anywhere in Riyadh. Leave a Comment
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 | |  |  | Public Segragation + Iqama | |  |  | |  |
Supposing you plan to go somewhere in public, a restaurant, a mall or other public areas always have your passport (if your iqama hasn’t been given yet) and ID with you or other supporting documents.
If you are a non-Saudi citizen hired to work in Riyadh you will be given an iqama by your employer or company, which will validate you as a resident in the Kingdom. Iqama is a green/brown booklet or card that contains your name, occupation, photograph and thumbprint, which you should carry at all times.
Keep in mind that you are entering the most conservative place on earth. Be advised that a woman and a man are not allowed to talk in public places unless it is a business related matter or if the person is an immediate family member. Therefore keep distance because dog barks.
Also, remember muttawas are almost everywhere looking for someone to arrest.
Almost all public buildings would indicate entrances or areas for men which is away from all the women and family, or if there’s a chance that you would be rearing to the wrong direction do not worry, a guard or police would tell you aloud.
Women in public are mostly accompanied. It is not advisable to go to public area unless you are wearing an abbaya or any black robe with proper documents.
Although some Westerners and Asians could take cabs alone and go shopping alone, still take necessary precautions on places which are not yet familiar and bring someone with you. It is unpleasant to be suspected as a call girl, a hustler and or just to avoid lustful glances from men who are not accustomed to this independency.
For Muslim women, it is stricter because all Islamic laws apply, there will be no compromises. Website: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=4164806
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There are none!
Women are not allowed to drive cars in KSA. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Prayer times Vs. life's activities | | | | | |
This is my second tip, and I would be more going to give an ideas about how the life style in my country for people coming here, or for who is interested about knowing how things going on.
Saudi Arabia known as Muslim country, and not like other countries, which are, known just with name as a Muslim but the reality is different. For Muslims there are 5 prayer times where every one (Muslim of course) stop what they are doing and goes to mosque to pray, therefore for non Muslims they should consider these 5 prayer times because the activities are hold for around 20 to 25 min till the pray finishes, for example you might go to a restaurant or a barber shop a few min before the pray time and you’ll get apologize that they can’t serve you or offer their services during this time because they have to close for the pray, this is something you should expect when you come here and always keep it on your consideration. But of course non of the emergency service stop like the hospitals, police, firemen ..etc
Prayer times: it’s not fixed but variable with the seasons, but mainly I can say First, very early in the morning. Second, midday. Third, middle of afternoon. Fourth, sunset. Fifth, two hours after sunset.
Recommend to use site www.islamicity.com/PrayerTimes/ which shows the prayer times during the day for the whole year, and you may check it before going out to avoid waiting for long time.
Hope this tip will be helpful for who is coming here for the first time. Leave a Comment
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Women should expect to wear an abaya (a long black cloak, and a head covering). If you don't, you may be hassled by mutawahs (religious police)....and you will get a lot of unwanted attention ...also, must be escorted by a male mainly everywhere you go
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