So I'm starting a new project. Very IT strategic for a Saudi oil Company. Never been there before and will be staying for 6 months at least. So my question....what do I wear???

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

Regular shoes, and I would avoid discussing religion. If anyone offers you bacon, it will be chicken based (and dull).

6 months alone in Saudi could be very lonely, hope you make friends easily. Make sure your expense budget covers weekly trips to Dubai

likehelpful

I second what ATK1 said.
Wear a suit if you’re a man (with regular shoes), abaya if you’re a woman, no need for hijab at all (you can wear heels, flats, or even get away with sneakers.)
Not talking about religion in general (not just yours) doesn’t mean that you’re ashamed of it, it just means that you understand the culture’s do’s and don’ts. Same way as I don’t talk to the client about my activism for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.
Include alt travel in your expenses negotiation.
If you’re a woman, do not initiate a handshake with men. Some of them are very strict on their religion and are not allowed to touch women (even if it’s just a handshake.)
In general, Saudis are friendly and nice people, you’ll be okay (they do tend to be a bit difficult as clients sometimes though.)
Feel free to DM if you have any questions. Good luck!

likehelpful
Recent IconRecent

I’d recommend staying away from embassies

likefunnyupliftinghelpful

OP- you sound young a naive. Your attitude will get you in trouble. I truly wish you the best

like

Man: suit, tie optional (depending on client). Woman: Abaya, headscarf optional

likehelpful

OP, I think you’re just asking it for fun....sandals, flip flops, pork, bacon.....

likefunnysmart

DO NOT go alone to any meeting at the Saudi embassy. Under any conditions

likefunnysmart

Thanks for the vote of confidence SC1. Was probably consulting before you were born in 1995

likefunny

Can I tell them I'm Jewish or should I just park that? I don't eat pork. I mean I do I love bacon. I don't think they eat that

Sandels or flip flops?

I need a pedicure

likefunnyuplifting

If you are actually Jewish, I would not go. Also, they will not let you into the country if you have an Israel stamp in your passport.

like

Suits

like

Starting the insults before your trip starts isn’t a step in the right direction. Sharing you are Jewish? What is that going to accomplish? Ask your partner how you handle that. 🙄

likefunny

As much as we like to believe that Arabs hate Jews by default, its not true. There was a Jewish analyst at one of the consulting firms who spoke Arabic. Needless to say, the clients ONLY wanted to speak to him.

like

Yikes. I’d reconsider the role. Best of luck.

likehelpful

Jews are not allowed in Saudi Arabia. Passports with an Israeli visa aren’t allowed into S.A, so why are you going, again? And, how?!

like

Presumably his passport doesn't say he's Jewish. Though if you had a last name that was obviously identifiable as Jewish, I'd definitely reconsider or atleast talk to your firm's Risk people if you haven't already.

likesmart

Saudi Arabia sounds like a dump. And I can say that because we don’t kill ppl in this country for free speech #hottake

like

You are fine going as a Jew, but agreed, do not bring it up with a Saudi unless you know them well. Often the issue isn’t being Jewish but rather support for Israel, which upsets even many Western educated and liberal Saudis. Once you know someone, it is possible to have an open conversation about religion, like anywhere.

For business attire, regular suit generally. For casual situations, just avoid shorts.

likehelpful

@BSC1, no, we only kill people in this country for being black or brown.

likesmart

Manager 1, this is totally wrong. Lots of single women come here to work, westerners and others (fly into Riyadh on a Saturday night and you’ll see swarms of young women from the Philippines in the “first entry” line coming to work as nurses). I don’t wear shorts outside of compounds but I do see more and more men wearing shorts in malls and elsewhere now. Women absolutely do not need a head scarf, though they do need an abaya. They won’t let you in with an Israeli passport but they don’t stamp passports anyway.

likesmarthelpful

Related Posts

Have you ever compare yourself to another peer on a team and also feel you are being compared to by the project boss? How to feel confident?

like

My boss shamed me publicly in an email sent to the entire office. I am a marketing director and have handled multiple important campaigns, but I got sick and he called me "weak" and told my coworkers that they should avoid being like me. Huh.

like

How difficult is it to switch projects internally in TW? Is there any said amount of time you should be in a project before you can switch?

like

How do you assert dominance to a client and persuade them your work is legit/correct when they aren't willing to take the time to read it? 23yrold.

like

Hey there!

My cousin who is working in an support project really needs to move to a development project. She scored above 90% even in engineering. She will get release in dec and any leads how can we find good projects?

like

I have no interest working today. Work Wife is on vacation so I have nobody to flirt with to pass the time. Who's looking to text flirt today to help the time pass?

funnylikeuplifting

Has anyone lateraled from big law into an in-house role at one of your firm’s clients? I feel like this happens quite a lot and curious how that process went (did you reach out to them, they to you, etc)? I’m in my second year and staffed on a large client & starting to develop a relationship which I’d like to maintain. I’m thinking about hanging in here for another year or two but then starting to look to lateral. Would love to work for this company if a position is available at that time.

like

Hi GDS Folks,

I just got to know from my Counselor that my Lead rating is Differentiating with Promotion :)

I am moving fron Senior Associate to Supervising Associate. Any idea on the hike % i can expect?
I am currently in MBA team working for Americas Assurance client.

Thanks in advance.
Wishing All the best to everyone!!
🥂 Cheers!

like

Hi all , I am currently working at Deloitte as a QA lead . I manage a team of 10 . I want to break into roles at meta , google as a program manager / project manager ?

What’s your favorite part of working on a research project and what’s your least favorite part of it?

like

Consultant with 5 YEO looking for opportunities. Canadian so need TN visa or equivalent unfortunately but I’m very much so looking to get out of EY. Project management, strategy and operational transformation experience. If anyone is willing to help please let me know.

like

Hi fishes,

How many project mphasis allow for a employee bcz within 1 year I have worked on two project. What will if 3rd or 4th .will they terminate .

like

I have accepted an offer.

My “future boss” will go on maternity leave within 30 days of me joining the new company.

How can I make it easier for myself and worthwhile for my boss to trust me while she is gone?

Any tips will be highly appreciated.

Past tc 190
New Tc 273
Non tech
10 yoe ( not all in finance)
New York

like

How is warner bros discovery client in globallogic considering work life balance.

like

We're hiring a remote Salesforce Technical Lead! This is a hands-on developer role leading client projects. Let me know if you know anyone who might be interested!

like

I have a question for my fellow PI paralegals in Texas. TPCIGA requires that we submit all medical bills through the clients insurance before proceeding further. The client in question has Aetna. I sent the bills with a cover letter to Aetna via certified mail. I am having so much trouble getting a status on said claim. Does anyone here have experience with that and can assist me? Any help or guidance is appreciated.

like
like

[query] Is it a good idea to say a firm No due to medical reasons to a new night shift project I'm hired in?Accenture

I recently got a night shift project (2 days ago) that requires me to work from 10:30pm till 7:30am

I'm not comfortable with these timings and I'm thinking to ask my manager to put me on Bench (Due to medical reasons that involve mental health)

Is it a nice idea to say a firm No to a new project I'm hardlocked into, due to night shifts?

like

More Posts

Hello everyone,
I saw a job opportunity at Qualcomm India which suits my profile. Anybody would be kind enough to refer?

like

Hi all,

I left hcl on 5th December.. so when I can expect for my experience letter and FNF amount?

like

how many opinions/bench rulings should I aim to complete by the end of the clerkship?

like

Hi, Sharks,
I have 7 yoe in .Net web development, recently joined Deloitte but there are no projects on .net development. The manager is asking me to learn sailpoint. I need your help to know-how is the future scope of sailpoint. If I want to start my carrier in cyber security what are the steps I need to take.
And the last question should I move from s/w development to cybersecurity...is it an easy step...as I don't have much background on cyber...pls help me

like

I’m really happy being gf&bf with my significant other - I’m 41 and I don’t want kids and I am not desperately seeking marriage. I’m really happy with just this & my job. I think it weirds his immigrant family out a lot. His mother apparently was very cold/rude to his ex-gf (I found this out bc I asked) and his sister is very cold and has a very judgmental attitude about women that don’t wanna be a wife & have kids (just like her.) I wanna avoid holidays at their place - any advice?

like

Hi Chicagoland!! Hope all are healthy. Any tips for navigating WFH long-term? Survived week 1 but now sure how much longer I can stay motivated...

like

Anyone familiar with Yext and their DC (Rosslyn) office?

like

Pet owners: I have a friend cat/house sitting for me this weekend (three nights). What is an appropriate thank you payment? She’s my friend so it feels weird giving her cash? I was going to leave a few bottles of wine, maybe a fresh baked good?

like

Curious if you have any recommendations for comfortable, cooling pants at work? Pretty much taboo to wear any type of shorts, but Arizona is hot as balls. Preferably something that doesn't show sweat on the ass. Thanks :D

like

At Accenture changing from internal analyst role to a senior analyst in digital & client facing.I am always worried about being a female and salary. What should I negotiate and expect for pay?

like

Talk about a strategy pivot

Post Photo
funnylike

How much will I get from 1.5L benefits provided in CTC from Thoughtworks if I don’t reimburse anything?
Liked fixed in a year?

like

It's annoying that most job postings that require you to have experience and proficiency in two languages always offer waaaaay less than the average salary for the level. 🙄

like

I would like to buy my first options today. Currently I only own stocks and ETFs. Any recommendation for me?

like

Hi everyone,

I'm currently serving a notice period with my current employer. I've technical skills in Big Data technology (PySpark, Hadoop, hive Impala, SQL), Unix Shell Scripting and CI/CD tools Jenkins RLM currently looking for a job switch.

Any opportunity/referal is appreciated.

YOE:2.2
CCTC: 4.28, have in-hand offer of 7.26
ECTC: 9 LPA
NOTICE PERIOD: 75 days

Thank you!!

like
like

Hi fishes, Anyone working in cognizant mysore campus?

like

How to transition from pharma to working in tech / med tech? What skills should I try to pick up?

like

How important is the border issue for you all when voting? My first time being so close to the border, and I still don't see how it's such a big deal smh

Encourage your friends and family that can vote to go out and vote today. Our H1Bs depend on it.

like

Additional Posts in Consulting

I have a BA in business communication is consulting for me?

like

Just found out my aunt, who’s more of a mom to me after my parents separated, has stage 3 cervical cancer. I’m really trying not to focus on the survival stats that were given and not get too roped up in bad thoughts. Surprisingly keeping myself together really well at work, but knowing there will be lows. How did you all manage life, juggling the fear and toil of having a sick loved one while still somewhat trying to process and continue on with this new reality of life?

like

Grant Thornton 🗣🗣‼️‼️‼️

Post Photo
likefunny

HR/human capital/PAS consultant 🐠: If I have a Masters degree in HR and 2 years experience, is it worth it to get the aPHR or SHRM-CP? Or is the Masters degree enough? Should I wait for SPHR/SHRM-SCP

like

I just found out I was promoted… in October. In November, my project ended and I was told I’d be fired if the client didn’t have another role for me. Am I crazy or is flip-flopping like this kind of ridiculous?

like

Does anyone know what industries / competencies got hit by the layoffs yesterday? A few people mentioned it, but no one gave any details.

like

Has anyone or know anyone been fired/layed off and got in another big 4?

like

Anyone get their mortgage through SoFi? Any feedback?

like

Anyone in SF bay area who got solar done for their home?

like

🐠 🐟 Share your amazing hotel stories . I miss business travel … last time I met a client face to face was in Feb 2020. My most amazing hotel stay was in Toronto June 2018… checked into a Westin hotel and I was upgraded to a presidential suite ! I couldn’t believe it until I went to my room .

like

Happy layoff hunger games

Post Photo
likefunny

How do you speak up in client meeting if you don't know anything and are just busy taking notes?

like

Which firm has the best dressed consultants?

like

I am desperate to get out of my current firm. Would it be worth it to reach out to my alma mater's alumni network? Not sure how much it'll actually help considering I only have one year of experience and not many companies are hiring atm...

like

Joining BCG as a Project Leader soon and am curious what onboarding is like. Is it just at your home office or somewhere else?

like

Has any of you had any luck joining another firm as a partner while not being one at your current firm?

like

Any HYSA recommendations for a new college grad with about 25k in savings?

like

This is my season for grace, for favor, this is my season to reap what I have sown 🎧

like

ACN 🐟: If a hotel is in policy do you feel as though it's okay to book unless told otherwise? SF hotels are insane and I stayed at a crappy Sheraton with more expensive options in policy.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal