I mean feminine items, clothes, things we take for granted here in America. Any help about customs, etc. would help. We will be living on a Western Compound. Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks!
2007-03-10 08:38:40 · 10 answers · asked by Anna M 2 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Saudi Arabia
NO tampons.. hahahahaha!.. Someone doesnt know anything about Saudi..
You can find just about anything here nowadays and more.. Just no alcohol or pork...
Arab women are modern and use tampons.. for the person above who thinks otherwise.. You can find condoms, KYjelly and lubrication stuff in all the stores.. We have large shopping mega stores that rival walmart/kmart.. and even down to small grocery stores like Safeway (if you are familiar with that store).. We carry all the common US brand goods and English European goods.. You can find strange stuff here imported from all over that you'd never even imagine what to do with them.. ... As far as customs.. You cant chat up with a strange man, but you can deal with male salesmen, just dont flirt, but yes, you can wheel/deal and haggle with them.. some Saudi ladies are pro's with shopping.. haha! YOu do have to dress conservitively.. No see through sheer blouses, wear longer sleaves (ive seen 3/4 length sleaves and they seem fine). no tight body hugging jeans and nothing shorter than your knees, like skirts, dresses, or shorts.. Usually most western women just wear the traditional black cloak/cover called an abaya over their regular clothing while out shopping in main stream Saudi.. Everyone speaks english here, so no worry there.. You'll get addicted to going out to the markets, believe me.. The only draw back is August heat/humidity.. otherwise welcome and enjoy it..
2007-03-12 02:08:39 · answer #1 · answered by Mintee 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would think that there would be a store close to the compound that sells Western goods. Alcohol for example is illegal to buy in Saudi Arabia unless you buy it at a store that is geared for Westerners (and is usually located in a hotel or compound).
2007-03-10 08:47:17 · answer #2 · answered by dardekkis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dear Anna,
I say you visit the website that the above answer required.
I lived in the Gulf for a while, and if it happens that I must travel again, I will buy:
- my favorite body lotion, cream & soup. You may find your favorite things there, but the thing is its not the same brand & quietly like here.
- CD’s & some books for reading. And again you may or may not find the things you really need.
- around the house cloths that is cool and comfortable. It is going to be very hot & you need to relax around the house.
I have this article to read:
Culture:
The norms for public behavior in Saudi Arabia are extremely conservative, and religious police, known as Mutawwa, are charged with enforcing these standards. Mutawwa are required to carry special identification and usually are accompanied by uniformed police. However, in some cases they have detained persons even without police presence. To ensure that conservative standards of conduct are observed, the Saudi religious police have accosted or arrested foreigners, including U.S. citizens, for improper dress or other alleged infractions, such as consumption of alcohol or association by a female with a male to whom she is not related. While most incidents have resulted only in inconvenience or embarrassment, the potential exists for an individual to be physically harmed or deported. U.S. citizens who are involved in an incident with the Mutawwa should report the incident to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the U.S. Consulates General in Jeddah or Dhahran.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1012.html
2007-03-10 10:19:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don’t think that we don’t have anything around here. We don’t live in caves and we don’t ride camels to school... Everything is available here except alcohol and pork... too bad, but you will learn to brew some yourself if you live on a compound pretty soon. The person who said tampons aren’t available is lying; I bought some at a big supermarket called Panda just 2 days ago... We have great big malls and interesting souqs here that will keep you occupied for a long time... Don’t worry, you will find everything you need... just remember to put on your abaya before you get off the plane and don’t pack any cds in your luggage, keep them with you in your cabin luggage otherwise they’ll make you unpack everything - and nobody s friendly on the airport...
Good luck... and give yourself at least 3 months to settle in before you pack all your stuff to go back home...
2007-03-11 05:01:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't recognize why the black disguise that we r donning is bothering u ..we haven't any situation with it. i admire dwelling in saudi arabia this is fairly secure females can paintings in diverse jobs because of the fact the different answerers suggested we can stay at abode if we want and the adult men interior the kinfolk will pay for us . we don't ought tochronic bcoz maximum folk have drivers. we've no taxes we've being concerned households..we've kinfolk existence what u hear on the information isn't all appropriate. we r dwelling a solid existence..and despite if a number of what u heard is authentic. the media will attempt to make it as a bad element( like the black disguise .. they think of that it rather is insulting us inspite of the undeniable fact that it is not)
2016-12-18 10:13:33 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might want to bring a few months supply of tampons. Arab women do not use them, it might take you a while to locate a store that sells them. (And then you still face the difficulty of explaining in Arabic with hand gestures what you want....)
A good place to meet other English-speaking women in Saudi Arabia online is the Saudi Arabia section of http://forum.virtualtourist.com .
I hope you already know that you won't be able to drive a car there.
2007-03-10 09:02:59 · answer #6 · answered by t_maia2000 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Concerning feminne items, clothes & personal things are available in saudi. you will find that motly everything is available in saudi, you will find American, British Brands (we have marks n spencer, Bhs, Mothercare, donna Karen, Ralph Lauren, Next, Benetton, Zara, ....etc)
I would say That the list of things you wouldn't find in saudi are:
!. Alcohol
2. pork
3. Most feminine magazines like cosmo, marie claire, O & inquirer.
2007-03-11 21:59:13 · answer #7 · answered by nadonora 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alchohol is not regularly available here, so if ur addicted, bring some bottles for urself.
2007-03-10 19:40:57 · answer #8 · answered by Shareef Shaitan 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you will find everything available exsept alcohol & Pork
2007-03-10 23:17:52 · answer #9 · answered by Reasonable 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
valentines stuff and Barbi doles..
2007-03-11 08:27:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋