Would you work in KSA?
Discussion
parabolica said:
Compound living does take some adjusting to (I've experienced it elsewhere whilst on assignment) but it's perfectly livable and they have a lot of western shops/malls to cater for the huge expat community.
Sorry, but this is b
ks.I had a client who lived in Saudi who kept telling me this. Until he moved to Dubai and admitted it was a s
t hole and he had to keep telling himself this to justify living there.I've known a few people from my company who've been out there, the general consensus is as described above really, it's a payrise, but that's about it...
Even the payrise is not what it was, deals and contracts are changing all of the time and even tax benefits are not what they were. However, at the right age, it's still beneficial for a massive final salary pension top-up.
I remember when the second Gulf War kicked off and lots of people were coming back to UK roles. It's fine working on a Tornado day in day out in peacetime, but when it's tooled up and going over your head to drop stuff a few hundred miles away, it seemed to genuinely scare people.
Even the payrise is not what it was, deals and contracts are changing all of the time and even tax benefits are not what they were. However, at the right age, it's still beneficial for a massive final salary pension top-up.
I remember when the second Gulf War kicked off and lots of people were coming back to UK roles. It's fine working on a Tornado day in day out in peacetime, but when it's tooled up and going over your head to drop stuff a few hundred miles away, it seemed to genuinely scare people.
I work in telly and have travelled to film in some interesting places, all of which bar one, I would be happy to visit again even under my own steam.
The exception was KSA. I only did 6 weeks and fugging hated it and the people.
The slaves were nice folk tho, sorry I meant migrant workers.
The exception was KSA. I only did 6 weeks and fugging hated it and the people.
The slaves were nice folk tho, sorry I meant migrant workers.
. Kuroblack350 said:
I remember when the second Gulf War kicked off and lots of people were coming back to UK roles. It's fine working on a Tornado day in day out in peacetime, but when it's tooled up and going over your head to drop stuff a few hundred miles away, it seemed to genuinely scare people.
Poofs.... in the 1st Gulf war the Iraqis actually threw something back! Getting 150quid a day in 1991 to stay was quite nice though. Funnily enough we had the money stopped one day & a Scud landed just down the road the next day. 
Porridge GTI said:
Plenty of haters then. But very little detail on what’s wrong with the place.
You mean apart from the locals, the heat, the living conditions, the lack of anything to do outside of the compounds, no bars, no hookers, the existing jobs being given to locals or cheaper expats from the sub continent driving rates down?Mr Pointy said:
Porridge GTI said:
Plenty of haters then. But very little detail on what’s wrong with the place.
You mean apart from the locals, the heat, the living conditions, the lack of anything to do outside of the compounds, no bars, no hookers, the existing jobs being given to locals or cheaper expats from the sub continent driving rates down?
If you don't have a family or kids and you think you can easily get another job in UK then no harm taking a risk. I would say go for it , if doesn't work out then come back and look for another job.
Just to give you an extra info, the whole process would take at least 6 months before you receive any offer.
Just to give you an extra info, the whole process would take at least 6 months before you receive any offer.
Edited by djones123 on Tuesday 1st May 22:19
Porridge GTI said:
And what if you have a family?
I do wonder if you're being purposely obtuse...Guys do take their families out there, although the wife might be happy to f
k all every day I suspect compound living boredom soon sets in.Young pre-school/early years kids are probably okay but I wouldn't want them to be in KSA for their education on compound/international school etc.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Porridge GTI said:
Plenty of haters then. But very little detail on what’s wrong with the place.
Do you want the entire list, or just the top 500. 1. Too religion heavy, bombarded with it constantly, especially as an infidel!
2. Many nationals I was working with were quite unhelpful and lazy although definitely not all.
3. Didn't like how migrant workers (mainly filipino) were treated
4. Driving on highways is frightening at times
5. Relentless heat
6. Can't drink. I think I could go for weeks in the UK without drinking and not realise, as soon as I'm somewhere I can't drink, I feel like an alcoholic.
7. Food wasn't brilliant though must admit, that was only really based on a couple of hotels
8. Some customs/etiquette that keep you on your toes, particularly behaviour around women and eating with right hand etc.
I didn't dislike being there as much as I thought I would but I really cannot think of many positive things to say about the place.
I've plenty of friends who have lived in KSA and several who still do so, all enjoy it there but do say that you have to moderate your behaviour to match their standards rather than the rest of the region where you can pretty much behave as you do here.
Personally I'd have no issues living there and have been looking for opportunities in the country for several years now.
Personally I'd have no issues living there and have been looking for opportunities in the country for several years now.
Countdown said:
Gad-Westy said:
6. Can't drink. I think I could go for weeks in the UK without drinking and not realise, as soon as I'm somewhere I can't drink, I feel like an alcoholic.
AIUI alcohol is relatively easily available in the Expat compounds.Functions at the embassy will also often have alcohol but you need to be very careful when travelling home.
In short, if you can't survive without alcohol then KSA is probably not the posting for you!
K50 DEL said:
Not really, bathtub gin is available, though unless you trust the skill of the person who's made it I wouldn't really bother.
Functions at the embassy will also often have alcohol but you need to be very careful when travelling home.
Yes, it was home brew that was/is supposedly easily available. i was told this by an Expat New Zealander who told me he'd never been as drunk as when he worked in KSA because everybody brewed alcohol at home.Functions at the embassy will also often have alcohol but you need to be very careful when travelling home.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff