Disco Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 22 minutes ago, bobbydazzla said: Des’ree What a cup final national anthem performance that was btw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duo Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 No chance he is off to Saudi - imo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nine Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 I think his personal reasons for moving from Atleti to a relegation threatened Newcastle would suggest he won’t be moving abroad again at this stage in his career Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 Only if he plans to retire after 1-2 seasons there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatwax Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 4 hours ago, Miggys First Goal said: Didn’t his missus and kids struggle to settle in Spain? Can’t imagine Saudi being any easier. Loads easier to settle there than Spain. Life would be living in compounds with other expats and everything is done for you. It’ll be easy, clean, safe, sanitised and boring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_R Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 2 minutes ago, Fatwax said: Loads easier to settle there than Spain. Life would be living in compounds with other expats and everything is done for you. It’ll be easy, clean, safe, sanitised and boring. This. English schools and hospitals too on the compounds I've stayed on. You go to work, come back and it's like the UK but in an oven. Although Saudi is culturally very different, I'd find it far easier to settle there than in Spain if I didn't want to make any effort to integrate / learn the language. I've met people who've been in Saudi for 30 years and barely speak a word of the language because there's just no need to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDog Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 9 minutes ago, Fatwax said: Loads easier to settle there than Spain. Life would be living in compounds with other expats and everything is done for you. It’ll be easy, clean, safe, sanitised and boring. That sounds like the life for me. Live in a compound. Where might a man get a pint mate? Not here, try Bahrain but don't tell anyone I said that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatwax Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 48 minutes ago, McDog said: That sounds like the life for me. Live in a compound. Where might a man get a pint mate? Not here, try Bahrain but don't tell anyone I said that. 😂 Aye the name compound sounds a bit grim but aesthetically they’re very nice. I’m sure you’re aware, but there’s moonshine to be had. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groundhog63 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 6 hours ago, Chris_R said: This. English schools and hospitals too on the compounds I've stayed on. You go to work, come back and it's like the UK but in an oven. Although Saudi is culturally very different, I'd find it far easier to settle there than in Spain if I didn't want to make any effort to integrate / learn the language. I've met people who've been in Saudi for 30 years and barely speak a word of the language because there's just no need to. Tbf you could say the same about Spain 😂 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjohnson Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 (edited) 7 hours ago, Fatwax said: Loads easier to settle there than Spain. Life would be living in compounds with other expats and everything is done for you. It’ll be easy, clean, safe, sanitised and boring. Sounds like Resident Evil or The Last of Us Plus he had time in Spain before so must have picked an inking of the language at least Edited March 28 by gjohnson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutland Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 11 hours ago, duo said: No chance he is off to Saudi - imo Money money money. he will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_R Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 9 hours ago, McDog said: That sounds like the life for me. Live in a compound. Where might a man get a pint mate? Not here, try Bahrain but don't tell anyone I said that. You can get a pint on the compounds I've been on, both in Riyadh and Dhahran. Both have actual bars on them, serving beer, spirits, and wine. It's all brewed on the compounds themselves, everyone in there has homebrew that they sell to the bars, that then re-sell back to the people working there. When I first went in what, 2012? It was all a bit rubbish and amateurish. You'd order a pint and someone would get a massive great bottle of yellow liquid and pour half a pint of that out. Then they'd get a can of non-alcoholic beer, top it up to close to thte top to make it taste like actual beer. Then the last inch would be lemonade to take the final edge off it. But now it's on draught, they've got pumps and everything and it's no different a process to buying a beer in the UK. Outside of the compounds though, alcohol is unavailable. Not even in the hotels. I mean no doubt some Saudis do homebrew like Brits do on the compounds, but as a visitor there's no way to access that market. When I go to Jeddah there's no compound for me to stay on there, so I stay in hotels and my stay there is completely dry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbydazzla Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 (edited) I know someone who lives on a compound and it's dry, maybe a little bit of homemade hooch like they make in prison but you'd have to be an alchy to want to drink it Has to get a dodgy taxi driver to take him to Jordan if he wants to slurp any palatable booze Edited March 28 by bobbydazzla Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCormick Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 You can get the real stuff no bother. It’s expensive though. Not sure why anyone would want to live in Saudi though; company paying for your large marbled palatial residence in a holiday resort, the best private school education all paid for, virtually no crime, gorgeous women, large tax-free salaries and some of the best entertainment and top-class restaurants around. Nightmare. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_R Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 (edited) 41 minutes ago, McCormick said: You can get the real stuff no bother. It’s expensive though. Not sure why anyone would want to live in Saudi though; company paying for your large marbled palatial residence in a holiday resort, the best private school education all paid for, virtually no crime, gorgeous women, large tax-free salaries and some of the best entertainment and top-class restaurants around. Nightmare. Some of that I agree with - entertainment, restaurants, nice houses and schools provided on compounds. But.... - Oppressive 50 degree heat in the summer months means it's almost impossible to be outside your residence or workplace for anything but the briefest of moments - Oppressive political system (Though of course you can possibly ignore that if you can follow the rules, whether you agree with them or not) - Dangerous roads with the worst driving I've seen anywhere on Earth, and I've driven in Delhi. Also as a non-Saudi you're not treat fairly in any accidents involving Saudis, you're automatically at fault even if they drive into you - You absolutely cannot "get the real stuff no bother", at least not as a visitor. I'm into well into double-digits in my visits to Saudi often going for a month or more at a time, have locals there I consider good friends, and have never once seen "real" beer anywhere - Your job isn't secure, and you can be replaced at any moment as the pendulum swings back again to "Saudification" and they try yet again to fill all the jobs with locals and you have to pack up and get out immediately with nothing to go back to in the UK - The women may well be gorgeous, but they're mostly underneath Burkhas so they could look like anything for all I know. I know this has relaxed in recent years and even had coverings aren't mandatory anymore, but last time I went to Jeddah most women were still fully covered. I should add that I couldn't possibly care less how they dress, that's up to them, I just mention it as a counter to your point about them being gorgeous. Actually I'm heading back out again in a few weeks so it'll be interesting to see if the needle has moved there on what they're wearing - You might be able to take your wife out there, and you might get a large tax-free salary (Is it still tax free? I thought that had changed and there was now tax paid at least by overseas workers?), but chances are your wife won't be allowed to work so you'll lose that income stream so really you're not that far ahead - if at all - as a couple I do enjoy my visits there, there's a lot to like and as I say I have people over there amongst the locals I count as real friends, but I'd not want to live there. Indeed I've been offered several jobs and turned them all down with very little hesitation. It works well for some, like I said before I've met people who've been there 30 years, but it's not for everyone. Edited March 28 by Chris_R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCormick Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 12 minutes ago, Chris_R said: Some of that I agree with - entertainment, restaurants, nice houses and schools provided on compounds. But.... - Oppressive 50 degree heat in the summer months means it's almost impossible to be outside your residence or workplace for anything but the briefest of moments. Fair. The last 2 summers have been less than 35 odd degrees though so the weather is getting better for whatever reason. - Oppressive political system (Though of course you can possibly ignore that if you can follow the rules, whether you agree with them or not). Fair. - Dangerous roads with the worst driving I've seen anywhere on Earth, and I've driven in Delhi. Also a non-Saudi you're not treat fairly in any accidents involving Saudis, you're automatically at fault even if they drive into you. Oh absolutely. Worst driving in the world. - You absolutely cannot "get the real stuff no bother", at least not as a visitor. I'm into well into double-digits in my visits to Saudi often going for a month or more at a time, have locals there I consider good friends, and have never once seen "real" beer anywhere. As a visitor it’s hard but if you have a dealer you can get the real stuff quite easily. Bit like buying weed in the UK. Or if you travel private you can bring booze back from any country without any customs. Befriending consulate staff helps too but appreciate it’s not as easy walking into a store. That’s changed now by the way, diplomatic quarters in Riyadh you can buy alcohol. - Your job isn't secure, and you can be replaced at any moment as the pendulum swings back again to "Saudification" and they try yet again to fill all the jobs with locals and you have to pack up and get out immediately with nothing to go back to in the UK. Lots of people have very good job security but it’s not massively different to working anywhere abroad as an expat. - The women may well be gorgeous, but they're mostly underneath Burkhas so they could look like anything for all I know. I know this has relaxed in recent years and even had coverings aren't mandatory anymore, but last time I went to Jeddah most women were still fully covered. I should add that I couldn't possibly care less how they dress, that's up to them, I just mention it as a counter to your point about them being gorgeous. Actually I'm heading back out again in a few weeks so it'll be interesting to see if the needle has moved there on what they're wearing. You’d be surprised at what’s happening in the last few years. Legal parties are everywhere and the younger generation don’t seem to cover up as much. There’s very much a 70’s style renaissance going on where a lot of women are very much exploring their sexuality. - You might be able to take your wife out there, and you might get a large tax-free salary (Is it still tax free? I thought that had changed and there was now tax paid at least by overseas workers?), but chances are your wife won't be allowed to work so you'll lose that income stream so really you're not that far ahead - if at all - as a couple VAT and a dependence fee (which is usually part of your salary package if you’re in a family working visa). So long as your partner has an iqama she can find work though. Many expats do this. I do enjoy my visits there, there's a lot to like and as I say I have people over there amongst the locals I count as real friends, but I'd not want to live there. Indeed I've been offered several jobs and turned them all down with very little hesitation. It works well for some, like I said before I've met people who've been there 30 years, but it's not for everyone. That’s fair. I’m in the latter category. I’ve worked around the world but it’s by far the best place I’ve settled into. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteV Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 1 hour ago, bobbydazzla said: I know someone who lives on a compound and it's dry, maybe a little bit of homemade hooch like they make in prison but you'd have to be an alchy to want to drink it Has to get a dodgy taxi driver to take him to Jordan if he wants to slurp any palatable booze Does the taxi driver have to be dodgy? Is there an issue with crossing the border, having a few pints, then crossing back? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miercoles Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 2 hours ago, Chris_R said: When I first went in what, 2012? It was all a bit rubbish and amateurish. You'd order a pint and someone would get a massive great bottle of yellow liquid and pour half a pint of that out. Then they'd get a can of non-alcoholic beer, top it up to close to thte top to make it taste like actual beer. Then the last inch would be lemonade to take the final edge off it. That is fucking grim man Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_R Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 16 minutes ago, Miercoles said: That is fucking grim man I'd agree that the first 4 or 5 are quite disgusting, but it gets better after that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbydazzla Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 35 minutes ago, SteV said: Does the taxi driver have to be dodgy? Is there an issue with crossing the border, having a few pints, then crossing back? the taxi driver is dodgy because he also has a few sneaky slurps on the Jordan side so the ride back to the compound can be a bit wobbly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteV Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 3 minutes ago, bobbydazzla said: the taxi driver is dodgy because he also has a few sneaky slurps on the Jordan side so the ride back to the compound can be a bit wobbly Yes, that would definitely classify him as dodgy…. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nucasol Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 17 minutes ago, SteV said: Yes, that would definitely classify him as dodgy…. Have 5 and drive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanji Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 3 hours ago, McCormick said: I enjoyed this back and forth far too much. Quite an interesting read. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanji Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 2 hours ago, Miercoles said: That is fucking grim man prison juice Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 42 minutes ago, Kanji said: prison juice Anglo-Saxons man, would rather drink poison than nowt at all. Makes you proud to be British Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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