Saudi Stuff

Here's a small, random collection of some of the funniest things I've come across here: from products you'd be hard-pushed to find anywhere else, to exclusively Saudi situations!

Here, for example, we have the entrance to a marina, with separate entrances for men and women, clearly marked, to avoid mingling of the two sexes. The fact that the entrances lead to the exact same pathway obviously has no significance, whatsoever. 

Abaya shampoo! Because we wouldn't want to see our favourite blacks fading out now, would we?

 Uh-oh, this looks dangerous. Time to call in CSI Jeddah. Meanwhile, if any ladies are interested in contacting one of these young villains, a BlackBerry Messenger pin is provided. Seriously, this is how teenagers flirt around here. When a boy sees a girl who seems to have potential under her wrappings, he walks by her and quickly mutters his BBM pin out of the corner of his mouth. If he's lucky the girl will offer hers as well, and the flirty texts will commence.  These exchanges usually happen in malls and supermarkets. Other techniques for boys include "writing my BBM pin in huge letters on my car in the hopes that some girl will dig my ride and hit me up", and the all time favourite "calling random mobile numbers at all hours in search of a female voice".

Tired of swimming with your abaya dragging you down? Thanks to this modern burqini (burqa + bikini), it is now possible to enjoy the beach and preserve your modesty. (Note that this is actually way too radical to actually be worn on a public beach around here. From what I've seen, women generally just sit on the sand fully covered and watch the men prance around enjoying themselves.)

So it was prayer time in the furniture store, and this salesman decided to take a refreshing nap on the merchandise. When I first came here, I thought this sort of thing was pretty remarkable, until I realised that the same rule that applies for picnicking applies for sleeping, as well: it's acceptable anywhere. 

 

These signs are found on virtually every escalator in every mall. Apparently, getting the apostrophe right is an issue. Even so, I think it's good advice, considering how often I trip over my own abaya. 

The "water fountain" at the souk. For a drink of water just fill the tin cup hanging from the barrel. Everyone uses the same one, so it really strengthens your immune system. Sharing is caring!

In the album covers of this box set,  Amy Whinehouse brazenly shows off her bare arms, knees and collarbone. Thankfully, someone went through all the boxes in the store and scribbled over the uncovered areas with marker, saving us from this disgusting display of promiscuity.

Same with all these bathing suit-wearing mothers on the outside of these inflatable toys' boxes. There were practically hundreds of boxes in the store, so I couldn't help but wonder if they hire people especially for this purpose. It could be a legitimate profession in this country: "Unveiled Woman Scribbler". It would actually be really good for the economy, as it would create thousands of job positions, while simultaneously helping the promotion of morality.