What not to do to survive your Saudi Arabia posting

It’s surprising that Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s expat favourites, as the list of don’t do’s and penalties is scary at best and totally off-putting at worst.

Not for a minute is anyone suggesting all expat professionals heading for or already working in Saudi can’t wait to get stuck into these behaviour traits without calculating the risks but, by now, the world is fully aware that Saudi is a state with totally alien customs and laws as well as incredibly archaic, harsh penalties for any infringement. Large fines and prison terms are the easy option for ‘minor’ crimes, with lashes, stoning and beheading reserved for infringements some foreigners may not even be aware of.

Basically, the Kingdom is subject to traditional Islamic codes of dress and behaviour, all strictly enforced. Unsurprisingly, women are targeted with severe restrictions on clothing, which must be ultra-conservative in public places. Mentioned is the Abaya, a full-length cloak, and a headscarf should also be worn. Men should not wear shorts, and long-sleeved shirts are preferred, according the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Sex outside marriage is a serious offence, punishable by ‘severe penalties’, and adultery if married results in death by stoning, with adultery if not married getting 100 lashes. The Middle Eastern site which provides this info seems to be a little confused as regards the meaning of ‘adultery’, but it’s best not to chance it!

Transgenders are, by definition, illegal in Saudi, and face ‘significant risks’ if discovered. Alcohol is completely banned, with tourists now being warned about arriving having drink taken on a flight, even if it’s on a Saudi plane and been served by a Saudi. In 2015, an unfortunate British pensioner was caught with a bottle of homemade wine and imprisoned for a year, He was also sentenced to 360 lashes, but spared due to his age and poor health. Porn is also illegal, as are illustrations of ‘scantily-clad people, particularly those of the female gender. Drugs of any kind are forbidden and death is the punishment, with 48 people executed this year, half of whom were convicted of non-violent possession. Many more are still on death row.