Single Female traveling to Saudi Arabia...any advice?

Question

I'm a single female planning to travel to Saudi Arabia next week on the 14th to visit a male friend. I've never been there before and I've heard that I can't travel there for one.. I've also heard all kinds of freaky things like how dangerous it is to be there and how they not only hate Americans but hate women...etc.. I'm looking for any advice from people in the know. ANY advice is welcome as I know nothing of this.. Also, if you're just looking to get points here with idiotic remarks, move on..

Otherwise... help!

Answer 1

im a saudi arabian. living here but i absuloty see no reason for you to come here. theres nothing worth it, i wouldnt say its dangerous for you to come here but ur going to die out of boredom and whoever is that male friend he can travel for you outside

what kind of a man is he ? he let the lady come to him instead of him going to her ?!!!!!!! .. pls dont tell me hes arabian ? if so, What a shame !!! from which tribe is he from ?

Answer 2

Sorry that I do not have any answers to your questions. Others will do.

Please let me know how you obtained a visit visa to KSA to visit a male friend. Where will you stay? Who is picking you up from the Airport? Whose your sponsor?

Just being curious. Hope you do not mind and will answer.

Take care and enjoy you stay.

Answer 3

hmmmm..I'm not gonna lie to you and tell you that it's gonna be easy for you to get here. I mean the vizas take forever and they have these absurd regulations that you have to go through.

As far as safety is concerned, Saudi is not dangerous at all. I know you probably heard alot about bombing and stuff, but that is long gone. And it only happened like 4 times or something.Now, there are security guards and survaillance cameras guarding almost every foriegn residance. But that's only in riyadh, jeddah, khobar, dammam and dahran. I don't know about the other cities to be honest. If you're visiting one of the cities I just mentioned, then you have nothing to worry about in terms of safety. It's really safe.

And the hatred thing, people here do not hate americans nor do they hate women. Some of them, ok, alot of them seem to have an attitude problem. That's all. It's not personal. I'm saudi and I feel that I'm hated sometimes. But americans are treated nicely here in saudi. I've seen the way receptionists, operators, salesmen..etc treat americans. They are usually so welcoming from what I've seen. Not to mention that the americans over here are very highly payed. They are given salaries much higher than those payed to saudies. Hatred is not a concern at all.

But like I said, The rules here and regulations are h**l!!. I mean you're gonna have to put on that black thing you always see saudi women wear on T.V. The people who work at the airport are often rude(to everyone). And I think they'll go through your luggage to make sure you have nothing "illeagal".  You can't rent a car (since women don't drive). These are examples of the problems you may encounter.

I think if you're a cultured person, this trip may be an experience for you. An educational trip if you may . It is weird I have to admit, but interesting.  I ,who have lived in the country for 19 years, think it's bazzar!. but if you're not willing to compromise, don't come. Good luck!.

Answer 4

Dont worry. Those who say we "hate women" are clueless. I say it to the point I think anyone that puts it that way should never be asked about a similar topic again.

What part of Saudi is it? And where is he from? Where will you be staying? Those are things you MUST know before coming here..

As for all the "they hate americans" talk.... its BS.. they hate american politics just as much as some americans do... if you interact with local women they'd be all friendly, trying to show you that they are a peaceful people and not opressed the way the media puts it and that the media has distorted their image etc etc

Jeddah is very liberal... Riyadh much more traditional but a huge city... in Khubar ( east coast ) almost everyone is educated, speaks English ( bilingual ), even if a little.

Again, just know where you will be staying.... if you do, then theres not much to worry about...

Its VERY different from what you're used to, so expect that, but its safe and you need not to worry... Riyadh is safer than Chicago and New York City...

And women specifically are over-protected ( which some translate into "they hate women"! ) Example : An verbal argumemt between a man and a woman starts on the street, then man wouldnt even dare to finish his arguement and would probably leave even if the woman is wrong and hes right...

The attitude would be "How dare you argue with her? Shes a woman!"

If you feel you need to know more, but cant ask too many questions in a public forum, dont hesitate to email me and i'll get back to you...

Answer 5

think again lady, saudi is not for females. they will question u at the airport why you're travelling alone? to visit a friend? well its not a very valid reason unless it is your husband or your son or any relative. but if you really wanna come here, be ready to miss all the freedom that your enjoying now coz you cant find it here, specially for women. but the best advice that i can give you is not to come here though it is safer here than any other place, just tell your friend to visit you instead ok!

Answer 6

Though i am not from Saudi Arabia but i think if a male friend is inviting you he considers it safe for you.