Saudi Survival Guide

·       "She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails."

o   Elizabeth Edwards

            I realized that I have been in Saudi for more than 2 months! I don’t know everything certainly, but I have learned a lot. You learn something new everyday. Here are a few things I have come up with so far:

1.     When you go outside, wear sunglasses! The sun is a flaming ball of unforgiving lava. It will blast your eyeballs with blinding brightness instantly.

2.     If you are a woman, do not look at a man in public. It is inappropriate. Avoid eye contact at all costs; ignore those suckers! Also, don’t talk to men you don’t know. For example, the guard for our apartment complex; I don’t talk to him.

3.     When in public, use your inside voice. Saudis are quiet people. You do not want to draw attention to yourself. Talk very quietly in public.

4.     Do not dance in the car when you hear a great song. Someone might think you are a floozy. (This one is difficult for me)

5.     DO NOT take pictures with your phone in an all-girls place, like a hair salon. This is very threatening to women, who do not want their picture taken.

6.     When you have guests, have plenty of food. Serve a snack and coffee when they come in. Serve dinner. Then serve desert and tea. This is a Saudi thing. We eat a lot here.

7.     If you are a woman with a driver (that’s me!), you do not sit in the front seat with him. Awkwardly sit in the back and do not talk to him. It feels comfortable after you’ve had practice.

8.     Dust storms are real. When there is a dust warning, shut the fans. We have these fans that are constantly running, connecting to the outside, to circulate air. Turn off the fan and shut the door so dust doesn’t get everywhere.

9.     Get used to washing dishes. Dishwashers are not in a lot of apartments. You’ll become a dishwashing machine.

10. No public affection. That’s obvious, but once when Badr was taking me to work, I said goodbye and leaned in to kiss him…then I remembered where I was. It brought some laughter.

Still working on this guide. Still learning. Still getting laughed at. Still getting stared at. And still moving forward.