Gift for Saudi Driver

[supertouring]

I am heading over to Riyadh for the first time for a work visit and the company will supply a driver for the two weeks that I plan to be there.

It has been suggested that taking some kind of gift for him would be a good idea to keep him sweet as he does look after you well during the visit.

Does any one have any ideas what I can bring? What would be well received?

[dxbtiger]

Alcohol and/or Bacon?

[Asterix]

Bottle of Scotch will always be appreciated - even if they don't drink, they'll be happy to flog it and pocket the cash.

[e21jason]

Apart from it is illegal to bring booze in, and if it is your first visit be prepared to experience KSA.
You can get most things in KSA may something UK spec, Decent Chocolate NYC baseball cap.

[IanUAE]

We don't call RSA "The Magic Kingdom" for nothing at work.

[shirt]

or

[supertouring]

Some great PH responses, thanks.

[dxbtiger]

Do you know what nationality he is?

Assume Indian or maybe Filipino.

[Harris_I]

Cash at the end of the trip. Always. They send it all back home and will be hugely grateful.

Whilst you're out and about, also slip him a few dees for lunch etc. Doesn't need to be much. Get him a cold drink now and then.

[6th Gear]

[greenrat]

Saudi Driver??? You chicken - go on, have a go yourself;) It's brilliant training for the next demolition derby you're in, and an interesting study in Brownian Motion. If you survive the Riyadh Ring Road in rush hour, you can drive anywhere on the planet.

[Schermerhorn]

A Saudi driving for somebody else? I don't think so.

He'll either be an Arab from a neighbouring non-oil rich country, Indian, Pakistani or a Fillipino.

Just take something expensive looking like a fake Rolex.

[TomV8]

Cash. As mentioned, he will almost certainly be non-Saudi and cash is the reason they are here in the first place (in most cases).

PS: Unless he's a terrible driver, in which case nothing. Same as everywhere else, there's no reason to tip poor service.

[TobyLaRohne]

Give him a few quid when you meet him, tell him you'll give him the same again when you leave him if he drives safe.

[VeeFourTee]

Your driver will be a TCN - Third Country National - so a cash tip at the end of your visit is the way to go.

[greenrat]

Schermerhorn said:

A Saudi driving for somebody else? I don't think so.

He'll either be an Arab from a neighbouring non-oil rich country, Indian, Pakistani or a Fillipino.

Just take something expensive looking like a fake Rolex.

Er....in the vast majority of cases I agree, but it's not a hard rule - depends on who the OP is. A company I used to work for in Riyadh provided close protection drivers to western multinationals, and they were all Saudis. You have to be a local to carry licensed fire arms.

[Craigwww]

It could well be a Saudi, we have Saudi drivers working for our company here in Al Khobar but most likely an Indian, Pakistani or Filipino.

Don't bother with a gift, cash is the only thing that is genuinely wanted.