Observations from our first (working) year in Saudi Arabia

Camel riding in Ta'if.

This month will see the end of our first working year in Saudi Arabia. Needless to say as an expat for good or for bad you notice an abundance the longer you live here. I've been trying to jot these down over time so that they don't go out of my head. Just to give people an idea of what it's like day-to-day in Saudi for a "hawaga" :)

I'm also acutely and painfully aware not to come across as typical ignorant condescending expat knob when talking about my host country and people. Saudi has been more than good to the both of us since we got here. In some ways, the year has flown, and in other ways, it has felt like an eternity. I hope my views don't insult anyone, but I was brought up to be always forthright and honest in my opinions.

• Firstly in Saudi, you must learn to be patient (patient should read like this - PATIENT!!!) Life and work here operate at a different pace. More often than not decisions are also made in a different way, but patience will really help you. However ironically patience, be it in a queue or on the roads, seems to be a foreign word and concept to Saudi people.

• Saudis have two speeds when driving; faster and faster still. Indicators mean nothing in this country, and to a lesser extent general road signage and road rules. If you're a meek/timid driver you will be crushed in Saudi (and eaten alive), the horn and aggression are your best friend while driving in The Kingdom.

• Men of a certain age seem to like to clip their fingernails and toenails in public, or in my case in the workplace. They also like to loudly hock up phlegm and wash their feet in public bathroom sinks, (see also Jeddah international airport). It's something I feel I'll never get used to.

• Insha' Allah (!) - easily one of the most oft-used terms I've heard since I got to this country. A term that literally translates to "God willing", however, a truer translation would be something along the lines of "it will happen...when it happens..if it happens at all". Identical to the Irish equivalent "please god"...as in "there should be a good crowd today, please god!".

• Saudis are OBSESSED with technology and the comforts that come with it. 

• Sometimes you can feel a certain level of "ignorance" or to be more exact dismissiveness from the locals, especially in a service environment. A few words or Arabic goes a long way.

• Saudis are almost theatrical in their gestures, especially when meeting friends, family or acquaintances. A very warm people (especially towards their own, and more so if you gain a friendship with them).

• I still find amusement in Saudi Arabia's' and the other GCC countries continuing love affair with shopping centres...sorry shopping malls. An obsession, which in all fairness, makes complete sense due to the wealth in the country/region, the heat, and the lack of social options especially for young people.

• Every time I go to a mall in Jeddah I get a big kick out of watching the throngs of male teens and young adults who gather in large groups and proceed to aggressively strut and preen (whilst acting as tough and jovial/cool as they can to gain attention/show off). Trying to catch the attention of young women (and it seems anyone in particular) who giggle as they walk by. In other words, act like any other male (young or otherwise) since time immemorial.

Without fail usually after the last prayer time of the evening is over, they flood the place in what seems like an uncontrolled rampant wave of testosterone and giddiness.

The shopping mall for young people in Saudi culture is of major importance, it's a social scene, a gathering place, a bar/club all rolled into one. I feel bad for the usually undermanned security guards that have to keep the dreaded "Shabab" at bay.