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Culture Shock!
Culture Shock! Saudi Arabia: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette
Information and background for travelers and expatriates includes a brief history and description of the country, along with facts about the food, language, culture, and pastimes to help the "shocked" function in society, business, and residence.
- GenresNonfictionTravel
Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
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42 people want to read
About the author
Peter North
111 books40 followersLibrarian Note: There are multiple authors by this name in the Goodreads database.
See also: Sci-fi/Fantasy author Peter North
See also: Sci-fi/Fantasy author Peter North
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 14, 2008
If you have remote plans to go there, this book is a great read, even if you never wanted to go...but you are interested in customs and habits of other cultures..
July 17, 2018
Summer Reading Challenge 2018
Saudi Arabia
Another interesting Culture Shock series about life in another culture.
There were odd sections of the book that felt like they had been taken from a bad publicity pamphlet. They brazenly claim that Arabs are the smartest and best ever. Muslim beliefs are the true faith. Life in Saudi Arabia is ideal. Every Jew is a criminal. There is even an allegation that President Bush helped plan the 9-11 attacks.
As a woman, this book contained horror after horror. Women are unflinchingly treated like cattle - second class citizens that do not merit consideration. Only the Muslim Arab male matters. For example, during a fire at a girls' school, the officials decided to chain the school doors and trap the girls inside to burn to death. Their concern was that the girls might flee the fire without wearing proper head coverings and their sudden appearance on the street might tempt/upset men. It made me so glad to NOT live in Saudi Arabia!
In another example, the penalty for a man convicted of rape in Saudi Arabia is death. And the woman remains unpunished. Sounds okay, right? However, for a women to prove rape in court, she must produce 6 men "in good standing" who witnessed the rape take place. Additionally, since women are not routinely issued identification papers, she must have two male relatives vouch for her identity before she is allowed to appear in court. If the family decides not to vouch for her for whatever reason, she is not allowed to appear in court and has no legal identity. If a woman fails to meet all the legal thresholds for rape, but has spoken about the rape to others, she faces jail (at best) and beheading (at worst) for admitting to sexual interaction with a man.
Additionally, companies are required to hold the passport of foreigners who enter the country to work. So, if you worked for an unscrupulous employer, you might not be allowed to leave. There are a million incongruous things that are illegal from any female driving a car or revealing her mouth while eating in a public place to owning a cross or christian imagery to taking a photograph without explicit government permission. And all married women and children (including foreigners) need permission from their husband/father to leave the county. So, you are at the absolute mercy of others and could easily be trapped.
Caveat: This book was written by two Caucasian men (possibly Austrian?) and not by a Saudi native. There were multiple editing errors in the book - it appears to be sloppily written. I did wonder about the accuracy of some of the research in the book.
Saudi Arabia
Another interesting Culture Shock series about life in another culture.
There were odd sections of the book that felt like they had been taken from a bad publicity pamphlet. They brazenly claim that Arabs are the smartest and best ever. Muslim beliefs are the true faith. Life in Saudi Arabia is ideal. Every Jew is a criminal. There is even an allegation that President Bush helped plan the 9-11 attacks.
As a woman, this book contained horror after horror. Women are unflinchingly treated like cattle - second class citizens that do not merit consideration. Only the Muslim Arab male matters. For example, during a fire at a girls' school, the officials decided to chain the school doors and trap the girls inside to burn to death. Their concern was that the girls might flee the fire without wearing proper head coverings and their sudden appearance on the street might tempt/upset men. It made me so glad to NOT live in Saudi Arabia!
In another example, the penalty for a man convicted of rape in Saudi Arabia is death. And the woman remains unpunished. Sounds okay, right? However, for a women to prove rape in court, she must produce 6 men "in good standing" who witnessed the rape take place. Additionally, since women are not routinely issued identification papers, she must have two male relatives vouch for her identity before she is allowed to appear in court. If the family decides not to vouch for her for whatever reason, she is not allowed to appear in court and has no legal identity. If a woman fails to meet all the legal thresholds for rape, but has spoken about the rape to others, she faces jail (at best) and beheading (at worst) for admitting to sexual interaction with a man.
Additionally, companies are required to hold the passport of foreigners who enter the country to work. So, if you worked for an unscrupulous employer, you might not be allowed to leave. There are a million incongruous things that are illegal from any female driving a car or revealing her mouth while eating in a public place to owning a cross or christian imagery to taking a photograph without explicit government permission. And all married women and children (including foreigners) need permission from their husband/father to leave the county. So, you are at the absolute mercy of others and could easily be trapped.
Caveat: This book was written by two Caucasian men (possibly Austrian?) and not by a Saudi native. There were multiple editing errors in the book - it appears to be sloppily written. I did wonder about the accuracy of some of the research in the book.
July 3, 2024
I really liked the book. I read it in 2024 and I was recently in KSA. Many things have changed since this book was written…and many not. Therefore despite being outdated a very valuable book.
June 13, 2013
Finally finished reading this book. There are plus points and minus points on this book. Thank God, I bought this from BookXcess retailing at RM 7.90 (USD 2.50). Lets go to the plus points first.
The only thing that I think much more relevant is the fact on the current situation on Saudi Arabia on which women aren't allowed to drive which I think is true, and then, there's the story of the Arabs' generosity - if a guest praises movable things in their house, they may give it to the guest! Or the authors' experience on filling endless paperwork/forms, or even word of caution on if you're employed there, your passport/visa will be held by your employers which made it really hard for you, if you fall against your employer. And then, the Saudi Arabia education system, which the authors lamented is irrelevant to the current industry, hence the influx of expatriates. And then, the preference of Arabs compared to non-Arabs. The book also spelled simple wordings in Arabic which is used in everyday conversation, such as My name is.., I don't want this.., Good morning.. etc. The places of attractions in Saudi Arabia is also interesting to note, plus the encampment of the expatriates where housing areas are built for their comfort.
Now the minus points: The book has misconception on Islam concepts inclusive of the prophet, Muhammad PBUH. The authors should do research before simply writing facts on Islam. It's interesting to note though the non-Muslim perspective on Islam itself. It means that Islam is still one of the misunderstood religion in the world.
And the fact that they keep on implying that Wahhabi sect is closed minded. As I mentioned before, that they should do research before simply writing it. The facts are somehow erroneous that I feel sometimes like finding a correction tape and blank out which is irrelevant. Or the criticism on Muslim praying times.
Overall, I personally think, if the book need to be more relevant they have to correct the facts on the history of Muhammad SAW and then, the Islamic sects.
The only thing that I think much more relevant is the fact on the current situation on Saudi Arabia on which women aren't allowed to drive which I think is true, and then, there's the story of the Arabs' generosity - if a guest praises movable things in their house, they may give it to the guest! Or the authors' experience on filling endless paperwork/forms, or even word of caution on if you're employed there, your passport/visa will be held by your employers which made it really hard for you, if you fall against your employer. And then, the Saudi Arabia education system, which the authors lamented is irrelevant to the current industry, hence the influx of expatriates. And then, the preference of Arabs compared to non-Arabs. The book also spelled simple wordings in Arabic which is used in everyday conversation, such as My name is.., I don't want this.., Good morning.. etc. The places of attractions in Saudi Arabia is also interesting to note, plus the encampment of the expatriates where housing areas are built for their comfort.
Now the minus points: The book has misconception on Islam concepts inclusive of the prophet, Muhammad PBUH. The authors should do research before simply writing facts on Islam. It's interesting to note though the non-Muslim perspective on Islam itself. It means that Islam is still one of the misunderstood religion in the world.
And the fact that they keep on implying that Wahhabi sect is closed minded. As I mentioned before, that they should do research before simply writing it. The facts are somehow erroneous that I feel sometimes like finding a correction tape and blank out which is irrelevant. Or the criticism on Muslim praying times.
Overall, I personally think, if the book need to be more relevant they have to correct the facts on the history of Muhammad SAW and then, the Islamic sects.
October 4, 2013
I like the Culture Shock! series. Offers insight to traveling in very different societies around the world. For instance, traveling through any muslim country, especially Saudi Arabia requires that you be very careful with what you bring with you. No items that resemble human or animal form, no yeast, no books on cooking or making wine, beer, etc. and no clothes that can be considered military by their standards including camo prints. Very different from the usual travel guides like the Rick Steve's series.
December 29, 2013
I picked this one up at my local library after learning that one of my favorite authors (Jean Sasson)is releasing a new book (Part of the Princess Saga) that takes place in Saudi Arabia. I believe I had picked this one up and read part of it before (before my goodreads account), and just wanted to "brush up on" what I have learned about this country as I have always been fascinated with their customs and traditions. Very informative and entertaining read.
September 8, 2012
This book was very informative and really helpful. I would suggest it to anyone heading to the Kingdom.
My only issue was that not enough information was given on the lives of working ex-pat women in Saudi Arabia. All the information referring to ex-pat women was assuming they would be accompanied by a male family member. I can't really fault the authors because they are both men, but they should at least have talked to some working ex-pat women.
Otherwise, a great read!
My only issue was that not enough information was given on the lives of working ex-pat women in Saudi Arabia. All the information referring to ex-pat women was assuming they would be accompanied by a male family member. I can't really fault the authors because they are both men, but they should at least have talked to some working ex-pat women.
Otherwise, a great read!
December 31, 2012
As a muslim, it's good to read what other people of different religion write about Muslims. I've gone to Mecca and Medina and saw how it's like to be there, and so reading this book reminds me of Saudi Arabia, and how I want to go there over and over again. Somehow, some of the things written in this book are not true when it comes to our belief as Muslims, but it just how I learn to understand how other people are looking at us as Muslims. And what they have in mind.
December 13, 2015
Good overview of what to expect in current times for those getting ready to work in country.
This has been incredibly useful and I will refer to it often. I would recommend this book for anyone traveling to Saudi!
This has been incredibly useful and I will refer to it often. I would recommend this book for anyone traveling to Saudi!
February 2, 2013
Bagilah 3 bintang sebab ada puji Malaysia sikit-sikit.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews