Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with FacebookLatest Riyadh hotel reviews
Helpfulness
All ladies both foreign and locals who will visit or work in Saudi Arabia are required to wear an ABAYA (a black dress incl of the veil) when going to public places like malls, souk (market), grocery stores etc.
Although expats are allowed not to cover their faces like the local Saudi's do...wearing the veil is a must. In some public areas you can find Muttawa's (Religious Police) who will ask you to cover (put on your veil) if your not wearing such.
It is part of the Arab's traditions,culture and beliefs particularly Saudi's that a woman's beauty is exclusive to their husband's or husband's to be so they have to be covered and not be seen by any other men.
For first timers in Saudi...abaya is not compulsary to wear the first time they arrive but expected to get one for themselves the following day.
Many souk's (market) are selling Abaya's...prices differs on the material and designs of the abaya.
Generally, abaya's are in color black but as per my hubby :-) abaya can be in different colors too..
Footnotes:
A. Most Saudi women choose to cover their faces in public and even in private in the presence of males who are not members of their family, but this is not because of their religion. It is simply local custom.
B. Before, in a harsh desert environment, a thin veil provides protection from constant exposure to the sun, which can damage the skin and eyes. Today, a veil is also a sign of modesty and virtue.
Updated Feb 5, 2007
Helpfulness
Arab countries particularly Saudi's are very much into drinking Shahi / Tea . They drink shahi anytime time of the day.before or after meal...by the time they arrive from work...while watching TV...while talking etc....
It is like theri substitute for water....A usual arabic tea consists of special arabic dried leaves boiled into water with sugar and fresh mint leaves..though halib (milk) is optional.
Updated Jan 20, 2007
Helpfulness
Culture,tradition or Religion? whatever is the reason, ladies here in Saudi are not allowed to drive both expats or local. Its either they have a family driver to take them around or their husbands.
While other ladies take taxi's or Limo's as they call it.
Written Jan 10, 2007
Helpfulness
Muslims here in Saudi Arabia have their prayer time called Salah . They pray 5 times a day- before dawn (530 am), noon (12noon), afternoon (330 & 530pm) and evening (730pm).
NO other religion can be practice in the Kingdom.
Its usually 10 minutes before the actual prayer, a prayer call is being done. All establishments will be close for about 20-30 minutes to give way to our muslim brothers/sisters enough time to pray.
Though most of the shops open from 9 and closed before the noon prayer. They open again at 4 in the afternoon.
Updated Jan 20, 2007
Helpfulness
While most of the people in the world start their week on a Monday...Saudi's in particular do start their week on a Saturday and ends up on Wednesday.
As-Sabt (Saturday)
Al-Ahad (Sunday)
Al-Athnain (Monday)
Ath-Thulatha (Tuesday)
Al-Arbia (Wednesday)
Al-Khamees (Thursday)
Al-Juma (Friday)
Updated Jan 20, 2007
Website: www.saudinf.com
Helpfulness
A typical Saudi Villa is usually square type with flat roof. A two storey house with male and female sitting area located at the ground floor.
The second floor is typically allocated for bedrooms & family living room.
There are more than 2 bathrooms in every floor. Quite common that every bedroom
has its own bathroom.
Nowadays, most of the houses are no longer carpeted but ceramic & marble are being used instead.
Written Feb 1, 2007
Helpfulness
Muslims celebrate 2 EID's in a year.
First: EID AL FITR - This is celebrated after completion of Ramadan
They celebrate by giving gifts & visiting relatives.
Second: EID AL ADHA - This is celebrated after completion of Hajj
They celebrate by slaughtering a sheep as a tradition carried from the time of Prophet Abraham. They also visit relatives and give gifts.
Updated Feb 10, 2007
Helpfulness
Saudi names usually consist of 3 to 4 names or more.
It i s part of their tradition that the children carry the name of their father and their grandfather plus their surname.
Example:
Fahad Abdulrahman Hamad AlGaeed
Fahad is the first name given by the parents, Abdulrahman is the name of the father, Hamad is the name of the grand Father while Algaeed is their surname.
Though the ladies name are constructed on the same manner....however, when they get married...they do not used the surname of their husbands.Their names remain the same, meaning they will still used their maiden names.
Most of the names consist of 2 words.
Example:
Abdulrahman
ABDUL = fixed prefix, while RAHMAN - is one of the names of GOD, believed to have 99 names.
Updated Jan 20, 2007
Helpfulness
Marrying a Saudi is not an easy thing to do...i am talking about the processing of the papers/documents.
During the year 1985, Saudi government banned Saudi men from marrying any foreigner except within the Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman) though they are not restricted by religion not to marry a Non Muslim or someone out of the gulf states.
The only thing that will somehow stop them from doing such is getting the PERMIT from the government. This permit will take years (as per hubby) to get..and so u need alot of patience and a certain amount of money to keep your papers moving from the Ministry of Interior.
So, Even if you have a legal marriage in a different country (like me in Philippines) it will not be acknowldged here in Saudi Arabia not unless your husband is holding the permit from the M.I.
Updated Jan 20, 2007
Helpfulness
The classic Saudi way of greetng is to give 4 kisses.One on the left cheek and 3 on the right cheek. This apply to both sexes (male to male; female to female)
As for the elders, one way of showing respect is to kiss the right hand and the forehead aside from the kisses on the cheeks.
It is very common for male friends to hold hands in public but this doesn't necessarily mean they have special relationship :-)
Written Feb 7, 2007
Sponsored Links
Al Faisaliah, A Rosewood Hotel
7 Reviews and 115 Opinions The Al-Fasaliah hotel in Riyadh is part of the leading hotels of the world, from check in to check...
7 Reviews and 85 Opinions [Dec 06] The Khozama is a perfectly placed hotel north of the Faisiliya centre on Olaya street...
The culture of Saudi Arabia is a rich one that has been shaped by its Islamic heritage, its historical role as an ancient trade center, and its Bedouin traditions. Saudi society has experienced...
In the past 30 years Riyadh has, like many other Middle East cities, exploded into a modern, vibrant commercial centre with many Western characteristics. This rapid growth is also reflected in the...
Welcome to the MidWest - erm... Middle East
Yes, if you ignore the traditional arabic dresses and the sometimes cryptical signs Riyadh is more of a midwestern city in the US than the capital of one of the oldest middle eastern countries. Large...
Riyadh, 5 Million of Inhabitants from All Over
Its the capital and largest city in Saudi Arabia with population at about 5 million. The city has a rapidly growing center where you will find new high raise buildings, international restuarants,......
I arrived in Riyadh on the 11th June 2002. My job is based in Riyadh for most of the year, but I've been lucky and got to spend the last 2 summers in Jeddah.
Build your own Riyadh page
Sponsored Links
Comments