Is Bahrain safe for teenage daughter to holiday there?

[garycat]

My 16y.o. daughter wants to go to Bahrain with her friend (same age) where they will be staying at her friend's grandad's place.

I'm a bit concerned with it being the middle east and my daughter & friend not being familiar with foreign cultures and how to be streetwise in busy markets etc.

Anyone got experiences, good or bad, to report?

[rhinochopig]

If you post up when and where she'll be staying, along with pictures, then I'm sure the PH'ers that live there will be sure to see that she's safe.

[bobbylondonuk]

As long as they know that the rules are very different and utmost respect for islamic traditions is called for they will be fine..If they behave like ordinary british teenagers in britain...they will be in trouble!

When in Rome....

[dundarach]

Must talk sense - must talk sense....

Depends on how she behaves, were she goes and what she does I guess...?

How would you feel sending her to London / Liverpool / Hull for a weekend with her mate...???



Must talk sense....or what the heck

[Colonial]

She can come to Australia. I'd look after her. Show her the sights and sounds.

And I promise I would never try to give her an australian kiss.

[arryb]

I'd be happy to go along as a minder if you pay for my flights?

[hornetrider]

I wouldn't be letting my 16 year old daughter holiday abroad on her own. If I had a 16 year old daughter that is

[garycat]

Any sensible answers?

[crofty1984]

I spent a week there recently with work. Apparently it's one of the more relaxed middle eastern places. You can drink in restaruants and hotels etc. Basically the hotel has a massive bar to which the general public can just wander in. I can recommend The ritz-carlton bar (I think it's called Trader joes). A nice hotel is the Novotel near the airport. As far as bars and pubs like you and I would recognise, I didn't see many, but then we didn't really go out round town.

Taxis by law MUST have a meter and use it. It's written on the sides of the taxi that if they don't use it, the ride is free. This was brought in recently to stop the traditional doubling of the agreed price when you get to your destination.

She must be respectful to Islam when out and about. No burkahs etc is fine, but bikini tops is really a no-no.

I found it to be friendly and everyone spoke a degree of English. Bartering for goods is expected, especially if your a foreigner. Start at half of what they suggest. There's a gold market there if she wants to buy jewellry (called Gold City)

[Colonial]

garycat said:

Any sensible answers?

This is the P and P. Just so you know

As far as ME countries go it's not that bad.

[snow plough]

PM'd

[dundarach]

well i did think mine about how would you feel sending her off to london was sensible - then i ruined it...

the culture is different - but then again you can come a cropper in an unusual place.

is she street wise, sensible, mature, old enough not to take risks, does she drink / take drugs, do you know for certain, does she phone home often when she gets stuck out late at night and needs help, does she forward plan and know how to get to and from places without your help....???

[mel]

Are your concerns about it being the "middle east" based along the lines that she may be sold into slavary or traded for some camals? If so then they are ill informed and outdated, as a culture arabs and in particular gulf arabs have the utmost respect for women and particulary young girls, I would be more confident that someone would come to their aid if they were in trouble in the gulf region than I would in the UK. However like all countries in the region Bahrain has got a huge quantity of transient Indian & pakistani labour, now these are not what we in the UK would imagine as Indian/pakistani these are the real deal often employed directly from small villages way up in the north, these people tend to have virtually no concept of personal space, and will openly gorp and letch at western woman, they don't really mean any harm but their cultural behaviour will often make western females particulary unaccompanied young females feel very very uncomfortable, oh yes and their personal hygiene isn't too good either . Personally I would allow her to go but I'd be having a very very straight father/daughter chat about how she should dress & conduct herself before she goes, she needs to know that alot of clothing that is perfectly acceptable and normal to a british 16 year old is not acceptable in public areas out there, if the clothing makes her look like a whore in their eyes, then they will paw and pester her accordingly which is far from pleasant.

[Fittster]

crofty1984 said:

I spent a week there recently with work. Apparently it's one of the more relaxed middle eastern places. You can drink in restaruants and hotels etc. Basically the hotel has a massive bar to which the general public can just wander in. I can recommend The ritz-carlton bar (I think it's called Trader joes). A nice hotel is the Novotel near the airport. As far as bars and pubs like you and I would recognise, I didn't see many, but then we didn't really go out round town.

So you advice for two 16 year old girls abroad is that they should go to the biggest bar they can find? I like your style!

[Asterix]

mel said:

Are your concerns about it being the "middle east" based along the lines that she may be sold into slavary or traded for some camals? If so then they are ill informed and outdated, as a culture arabs and in particular gulf arabs have the utmost respect for women and particulary young girls, I would be more confident that someone would come to their aid if they were in trouble in the gulf region than I would in the UK. However like all countries in the region Bahrain has got a huge quantity of transient Indian & pakistani labour, now these are not what we in the UK would imagine as Indian/pakistani these are the real deal often employed directly from small villages way up in the north, these people tend to have virtually no concept of personal space, and will openly gorp and letch at western woman, they don't really mean any harm but their cultural behaviour will often make western females particulary unaccompanied young females feel very very uncomfortable, oh yes and their personal hygiene isn't too good either . Personally I would allow her to go but I'd be having a very very straight father/daughter chat about how she should dress & conduct herself before she goes, she needs to know that alot of clothing that is perfectly acceptable and normal to a british 16 year old is not acceptable in public areas out there, if the clothing makes her look like a whore in their eyes, then they will paw and pester her accordingly which is far from pleasant.

Agreed - alot of good sensible stuff said. A few bits of education and common sense applied and she'll be fine.

She will learn a great deal from the trip - my first visit to the Middle East was Qatar at the age of 8 in 1977 - I'm sure only a few people on here would understand what it would have been like then.

[garycat]

mel said:

Are your concerns about it being the "middle east" based along the lines that she may be sold into slavary or traded for some camals? If so then they are ill informed and outdated,

No, but I realise as an Islamic state the cultures and expections of women are different to ours so I want to know where is is on the scale of Turkey at one end and Saudi at the other.

[Moose.]

I grew up in Bahrain and lived there for just over 7 years It's one of the more relaxed Middle Eastern countries in that you can get alcohol, everything doesn't stop for prayers, women can drive etc. She just needs to be a little considerate to Islamic traditions and cover up any skin if going into the local towns (no need to wear an Abaya though). No probs on the beaches though, as most are members only and tied to a hotel or club. As for streetwise, no different to anywhere else really; watch your pockets and bags, enjoy the culture and haggle hard in the souqs (especially gold and pearls which Bahrain is famous for). Where will she be staying?

[Wacky Racer]

garycat said:

Any sensible answers?

One of my sons once decided he wanted to go on a three week trip around USA, flying inland between city's, New York, Las Vegas, and a couple of other places I can't remember....This despite never having travelled more than around thirty miles from home before by himself. (Obviously he had been on several foreign holidays with us, as a family).......

We were not too happy about it, but he was fine and had a great time.

Just spell out the dangers, not going off with strangers, respect their countries customs etc and she should be OK, but you know your own daughter best I suppose...

[Moose.]

mel said:

Bahrain has got a huge quantity of transient Indian & pakistani labour, now these are not what we in the UK would imagine as Indian/pakistani these are the real deal often employed directly from small villages way up in the north, these people tend to have virtually no concept of personal space, and will openly gorp and letch at western woman, they don't really mean any harm but their cultural behaviour will often make western females particulary unaccompanied young females feel very very uncomfortable, oh yes and their personal hygiene isn't too good either

So very true and not just women! They'll stare at any white, westerner. As you say, they don't mean any harm, it's just how they are but could be a little strange for anyone not used to it I always used to feel sorry for them working on the roads in the midday sun; it's not the heat but the humitiy at 100% a lot of the time (trouble with it being an island)

[AstonZagato]

Don't watch "Taken"...