Riyad Local Customs

RIYADH IS S SHOPPERS PARADISE. THERE ARE MANY MALLS AND BAZAARS TO CHOOSE FROM. FOR COMFORTABLE SHOPPING, LADIES SHOULD WEAR THE THIN BLACK COATS (ABAYAS) AND THIN BLACK HEADCOVERING. HEAT WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM AS THE MALLS ARE FULLY AIR CONDITIONED AND MANY ARE ALSO PERFUMED WHICH MAKES THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE EVEN NORE DELIGHTFUL. THE TAXIS ARE ALSO FULLY AIRCONDITIONED. SAUDIS DO NOT FREELY TALK WITH WOMEN, UNLESS THEY ARE SHOP PERSONELLE, SO IF THE NEED ARISES TO ASK SOMEONE FOR ADVISE OR DIRECTIONS, ONE SHOULD ASK A WOMAN, AND THE SAME GOES FOR MEN, THEY SHOULD NEVER APPROACH A WOMAN. THE BEAUTY OF RIYADH IS THAT IT ENCOURAGES FAMIY VALUES,THE RESTAURANTS HAVE FAMILY SECTIONS WHERE WOMEN MAY TAKE OF THEIR ABAYAS, AND THERE ARE PARKS CONSRUCTED IN A SIMILAR MANNER. FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT INCLINED TO SHOP THERE ARE DESERT TREKKING BOOKS AVAILABLE, OR FOR THOSE WHO PREFER A MILDER CLIMATE, ONE MAY CONSIDER GOING TO ABHA, IN SAUDIA.