Do Saudi Women Really Want to Drive?

Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. Who doesn't know this? Both expatriate and some Saudi women want to drive. Some do not know this. Maybe you do, but do you know that some Saudi women drive in the rural areas? Is it fact or fiction?


I was surprised when I was told that Saudi women drive in this country. That was 2 years ago and a few months ago, I was told that women even drive in Riyadh, even though this is in a private zone meant only for women. Initially, I thought the need to drive was the cry of the expatriate women only. Many of them have driving licences obtained from their countries of origin, but have to put them aside when they get into the Kingdom.


The difficulties that we, expatriate women, face when it comes to moving around in this country is inexpressible. In the absence of our husbands, we have to hire private drivers. Besides the fact that these drivers charge a lot, they are usually not trustworthy. Many of them, irrespective of their nationality, seem to have lost their moral values and even do not fear to make indecent propositions regardless of the fact that a woman is married.


And what about our Saudi friends? It is easy to suppose that if their husbands cannot drive them around, then either a relative (brother, son, cousin or in-law) or the family driver will. Nope, this is not always the case. Sometimes they are left stranded like us and might be forced to use a taxi in order to go around. This does not work for all of them especially when their families are very strict. No relative to drive you around = no going anywhere. This has been very frustrating for many women, who over the years could no longer bear it and had to make their wishes known.


The number of Saudi women who are requesting to drive in the Kingdom is rising. Some are pretty contented with the fact that they are driven around. In fact, I remember a Saudi nursing student from a well-to-do family who said, "I do not know why these women from the West are critising us. We are very happy women who feel privileged to be well taken care of by our men. We have our luxury cars and have our drivers at our disposal. Stop poisoning our minds with your ideas. We do not need them." However, this is not the opinion shared by some Saudi women. One of the advocates is Wajeha Al Huwaider, a brave Saudi woman, who stood up to speak for her fellow country women. The video below was taken about 2 years ago by her sister-in-law, which shows Wajeha driving in a rural area in Saudi Arabia.

The New Internationalist Magazine interviewed Wajeha and she expressed her views regarding this issue...read more. Come to think of it, why are there so many issues surrounding the need for women to drive within the Kingdom? Is it merely a social issue or is there more to it? Hopefully, we shall soon get to the end of the road.

Corruption at Schools

Many people do not put the word School and Corruption together. Many do not associate school which is considered "inviolable" with an illegal and despicable act such as corruption. Many of us, parents, would refuse to acknowledge that the people who are in charge of educating our children would be deceitful, let alone be involved in such an act as corruption.

I am writing this post following the unplanned and disgraceful exit of two male expatriate teachers from an international school in the region (I will maintain anonymity of the school and the concerned teachers for personal reasons). These teachers were known to ask gifts such as phones, money and other handy things from their students in exchange for better grades. Unfortunately, one wise student happened to record the conversation he had with the teachers on one occasion. The teachers made their requests known to the student with no knowledge that their conversation was being recorded. After hitting a deal with the teachers, the student reported to his parents who presented the recording to the school administration. The administration was shocked and to preserve the reputation of the school (which is excellent by the way), the school sent both teachers on exit. They finally left Saudi Arabia back to their country less than 1 month after this incident.

This is just an example of what happens in some private international schools. If we take a closer look at the term "corruption at school", we would realise that there is more to it. Many are the parents who know what is happening at these private schools, but are not willing to talk about it openly. In a book written by Armand Fusco entitled "School Corruption", he says " School corruption takes many forms, but it falls into three main categories: 1. Cheating and deceit, 2. Waste and mismanagement, and 3. Fraud and stealing."

Let us take a look at category 1:

Many teachers at international schools (in Jeddah for example) would tell you that they have been under pressure to either retest their pupils or give them the page numbers from where their tests would be set. Sometimes, teachers go as far as giving extra unmerited points just so that some of their pupils get good grades. Why? Many parents (especially the Saudis) want their children to have FULL MARKS. If this does not happen, then the teacher is a bad one. I have witnessed cases where the teacher was approached on several occasions to retest the student; not another set of questions but the same one that the student had seen earlier, just to please a demanding parent.

In reality, only about 40-50% of pupils merit their grades. What happens to the other 50-60% who are promoted to the next level without achieving the standard of the previous level? Who is being deceived here? Is the school deceiving the parents?

Many undeserving pupils take excellent or near-excellent reports back home. They are promoted to the next level the following academic year and the school boasts of its higher percent of achievement. Isn't this cheating? This practice is deceiving everybody; the children, the parents, and the community as a whole.

The endpoint is the total corruption of the word EDUCATION. Instead of teaching our children how to think, we teach them to memorise and expect to sit for the same tests as many as three times just to have a good grade on report cards or booklets. No...our children deserve more.

Who is ''Human Land?''

Anyone who is used to the website expatriates.com must surely have seen the posts of the individual who always identifies himself/herself as "Human Land." He/she does not post regularly, but the content of his/her post is interesting and full of knowledge. Every time I read his/her words, I wonder why he/she decides to stay anonymous. I wonder whether this person is a writer or is aspiring to become one, and why he/she chooses to post ads that teach some virtues, knowing fully well that people usually come to this site for personal or material things. I do hope I get to know this person someday because once his/her words made me smile on a day that I was low.  

Below is one of his/her most recent posts.

How Not to Let Annoying People Annoy You

You can ignore people If you are dealing with strangers, but What If they are your Colleagues, Family, Neighbors or Friends ???

Following points to handle such people...

1: Staying calm means you don’t do something you regret later
Sometimes when you get really mad, you may end up doing something rash. If you can stay calm, you’re more likely to choose constructive actions.

2: Getting mad often means staying mad
If you get annoyed here and now, that bad mood may last for a long time.

3: When you stay calm, you really annoy those who want to annoy others
If that person is truly out to annoy you, the very best way to annoy them back is to stay cool. Deny them the satisfaction of getting you riled. They hate that.

4: You only harm yourself
Getting annoyed really harms no one but you.

5: Getting annoyed makes it easier to get mad the next time
You start a cycle of anger – which means it takes less and less to set you off.

6: Dreaming of revenge is bad for you
This is certain, that a man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well.
- Francis Bacon

7: Getting annoyed makes the memory stronger
Anything you experience while having a strong emotion, will be etched permanently in your mind. This is why some people can remember every little detail of that incident 8 years ago where some jerk cut them off on the highway. The problem is that the memory becomes so strong that it keeps coming back to you and keeps annoying you for years.

8: Instead of getting mad at annoying people – feel sorry for them
Jerks are very often jerks because they feel bad themselves. Hating them is really a waste of time – feel sorry for them instead.

9: Sometimes you’re at fault and blowing up just makes it worse
Sometimes it turns out, that the whole thing is actually your own fault. If you previously blew up at someone, then you look really silly…

10: It’s not about you
Most jerks you will meet are not really out to get you, personally – this is how they treat everyone.

11: It may not be intentional at all
Maybe they have absolutely no idea that they’re annoying you.

12: Losing your temper makes you look bad
Even if you’re in the right in the situation, if you lose your temper you can end up looking silly, petty or unreasonable.

13: Laugh about it
Most workplace jerk behavior is annoying sure, but when you really look at it, it’s mostly pathetic and ridiculous. Laugh at it, rather than get annoyed.

14: Is it a case of projection?
Few things annoy us more than other people displaying the same weaknesses and faults as we fear we have ourselves. If a person really, really ticks you off, maybe that person is just making you think about some weak sides you’d rather not admit you have.

15: Maybe it’s an honest mistake
And most of all: People make mistakes. Don’t read too much into it when people do inconsiderate things. It may simply be an honest mistake.

English Language Dilemma

A few days ago, students at the Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University for Women were protesting because an estimated 70% of them had failed their English exam. This university located in Riyadh, is reputed to have the largest only-female campuses in the world, with a total of about 26,000 students.

The students claimed that the exams were very hard and they insisted the university had to give them another chance to take them. Most of them claimed they came from public schools, where the language of instruction is basically Arabic. Unfortunately, very little emphasis is laid on the English language in these schools.


This happens at a time when the Ministry of Education is planning to seek the assistance of foreign firms to teach the English language in Saudi public schools. The council of ministers agreed that English language education should be started from the fourth grade. This is going to be implemented from the next academic year (2011-2012).


I asked a few Saudi mums about their opinions and they said they were happy about this decision. They would not have to spend a lot of money to send their kids to English language institutes nor spend large sums of money to hire private instructors who charge up to 250 SAR per hour. Many private English language instructors would find that the demand for their services would progressively drop in the few coming years. If you are a language instructor, look for other areas where you excel and exploit this option. Go for the other subjects for example, or look for another means of extra income.

Glass vs Plastic Bottles

In the past, most parents mainly bought glass baby bottles. This was common practice even in third world countries where these bottles were pretty expensive. After the production of plastic bottles, many manufacturers enjoyed a flourishing business as many parents tended to purchase plastic baby bottles instead, probably for their convenience.


In the late 1990s, scientists however discovered that these plastic bottles leach a substance called Bisphenol A, which was potentially hazardous to health. The FDA nevertheless said that this substance was released only when these bottles were exposed to higher temperatures.


In western countries, most manufacturers of baby plastic bottles saw a drastic decline in their sales. Many parents were worried about these bottles, which were said to release a substance that could cause behavioural disorders and prostate cancer later in life. This is not the case in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Jeddah. On the contrary, I have noticed that plastic bottles are frequently used. At hospitals, at vaccination centres, and in malls you would find babies conveniently carrying their bottles and helping themselves. On a few occasions, I asked some mothers why they used plastic bottles. Most of them gave me similar responses: it is easy for the baby to hold and feed itself. Plus, it gives them (the mothers) time to do something else instead of carrying the baby and feeding it.


Which one to use? Glass or plastic bottles?

Safety:
-Glass bottles do not leach chemicals even when hot.

Convenience:
-Plastic bottles are cheaper than glass ones.
-Glass bottles can be cumbersome for outings compared to plastic ones, which are light and can even be carried by the baby while feeding.
-Glass bottles can easily break especially when dropped accidentally. Not the case with plastic bottles.
-Glass bottles hold temperatures better than plastic ones.


You might want to use plastic bottles because of their convenience. Look for bottles that are labelled "BPA FREE" or those that have a number 7 marked at the bottom of the bottle. Also, do not pour boiling water into the bottle when preparing your baby's feed. Let the water cool down before pouring it into the bottle. As an indicator, BPA free bottles tend to be softer and less see-through. No pharmacist or his assistant would get angry if you gently squeeze a bottle to run a check.


Whatever be the case, glass bottles appear to be safer but inconvenient. I use glass bottles for formula and plastic bottles for juices. The choice is up to you: glass or plastic?

Why Saudi?

I remember once we were having an argument at work. A colleague was complaining that she hated living in this country. She said she did not feel free at all. Besides having to put on the abaya in this scorching heat, she entirely depended on a man to drive her around. She rattled basically about everything. And guess what? She was not the only one. Male colleagues were also complaining, and the females were trying to point out the fact that they, the men, were even more fortunate.

Now the point is, many of us were told of the life we would live in Saudi once we moved over. We accepted it because we were ready to move in search of new ventures and treasures. When we come over, reality strikes us in the face like a storm in the early hours of the morning. I recall how shocked I was when I went in search of a job at an institution. I asked for the ladies' waiting area. I was told that there was none, but I could wait in the ladies' toilet because that's where the female workers sit during their break. Okay, men and women (non-relatives) do not have to sit together in public places, but what was this crap about ladies sitting in the bathroom! 


My husband once told me of his experience at Taif. He was working on a project, so he had to spend a few days at Taif. He had the habit of calling every evening and on this fortunate day, he happened to run out of units. He quickly rushed to the closest and only mall he knew in the area which sold recharge cards. At the gate, he noticed that there were guards and an old man had just crossed. In his mind there was nothing wrong with men going in. While he was crossing the gate, a guard politely stopped him and told him that he could not get in because he was single; apparently it was family day. Whew! What a waste of time. This is Saudi; rules are rules.


We knew this country was conservative, yet we decided to come and live here either with our families or with friends and colleagues. As a Saudi colleague once put it, "Why do expats come here and complain? Saudi Arabia is our paradise. We love our country as it is. Why come and decide to move around unveiled and tempt our men with your beautiful hair? Why do women come here and insist that they want to be given the right to drive? Why, why, why? Please do not come if you are not prepared to live according to our standards?" 


Come to think of it, he had a point. Why come and complain? We were not forced to come here; maybe out of family obligations, but no one put a yoke around anyone's neck to come to Saudi Arabia. Live, love and enjoy the best of Saudi Arabia!

Salaries in Saudi Arabia: Qualification and Experience or Nationality?

When you are offered a job to come and work in Saudi Arabia, many things come to your mind and one of them is the salary. What will you get when you come to this petrol-rich country? You are offered a salary of 1000 USD plus benefits included. You are overwhelmed with joy. You just got a big shot because in your country you are offered a salary of 400 USD without benefits (for the same job).

There you go! So proud of yourself. You come to Saudi Arabia, and you get everything just as promised. Mashallah! Housing, transportation, medical insurance all covered. In addition, you are satisfied with your job. What more can you ask for?

Lets say you are this other guy from the west (U.S or Canada). You get an offer to come to Saudi Arabia. Your current salary is 1000 USD. Woud you leave to come and work in Saudi Arabia for the same salary? You might want to do that if you are a Muslim and you want to live in a country where you can practice your religion more conveniently.  Most people would certainly say, "no". Okay. They offer 2000 USD with all the benefits that go along with it. That sounds more interesting, right? You move to Saudi Arabia and you start working.

After several months of working with your colleague, you become very good friends. In the course of your converstions you discover that he gets a salary of 1000 USD. You both have or nearly have the same levels of education, you are both competent and you are doing the same job. Yet one of you gets 1000 USD less than the other. Is this unfair?

This is what happens in some institutions within the Kingdom. I was once a witness; I was paid more. The question that one might want to ask is this: Are there any defined salary ranges for specific jobs with respect to qualifications and level of experience in the Kingdom? If yes, are these applied to all working sectors. And why does nationality have to be an issue when it comes to salaries?