• GrymEdm@lemmy.world
    0·
    9 days ago

    First off, please be safe in answering this or even decline to altogether if it’s better for you. I legitimately do not know how communication is monitored or if there are consequences to answering questions like mine.

    What do I, as a Canadian man exposed to almost exclusively Western media, likely get wrong about your life experience? I guess the big message I see is that women in Islamic countries are restricted or outright oppressed by men. I hear about forced marriages (often young by Western standards), prohibited clothing, and no financial independence among other complaints. I read a lot that is said to be evidence of that, but I’d like to know your take on a female life if you can safely say.

    • asunriseworthseeing@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      9 days ago

      Since MBS took over things have changed. Mutaween (religious police) dont bother use in public anymore, hijab / abaya is no longer mandatory - you just have to dress modestly (I don’t cover my hair for example and nobody says anything), we can drive, there are concerts now (BTS, Blackpink, Bruno Mars, etc. big international acts), women are the majority university students and many work… things used to be bad in the past in these regards but now it’s alright.

      • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
        0·
        9 days ago

        wow! I had no idea those policies had changed with MBS in charge.

        The repressive culture against women was a pretty big reason why I haven’t visited.

        I travel a lot, and I’ve had the opportunity but never the invlination to visit specifically because of the reported oppression.

        thank you for sharing.

        PS, I read your other comments and are there any cities you would say are more walkable than others?

      • GrymEdm@lemmy.world
        0·
        9 days ago

        Thank you for answering and I’ll let your experience move my views. I’m also really happy to hear about things like driving, working and education rights that are making Saudi females’ lives better. Best wishes from Canada :)

  • neidu3@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    I spent a lot of time in Dammam a couple of months ago, and while I liked it, it was really annoying how little pedestrians were taken into account when building the city (I had to routinely commit strategic jaywalking when I was going out to eat). Is all of KSA like that, or is it a Dammam-thing? (Everything seemed relatively recently built, so maybe it’s a result of rapid growth?)

    • asunriseworthseeing@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      9 days ago

      That he modernized and opened Saudi to the world, made it less fanatical (which he did). Women’s rights really improved with his politics. Kabsa and dates are my absolute favorites. + humus.

  • cheese_greater@lemmy.world
    0·
    9 days ago

    I’ll bite 😅 How do you stay safe on the internet and resist censorship?

    I’d love for more denizens of all the countries do this haha. Be great to learn all about everyone and get more diverse perspectives and get to ask even provocative questions to examine assumptions we all have

    • asunriseworthseeing@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      9 days ago

      I never felt there was much censorship or that I’m in danger on the Internet. Porn sites are banned, that’s about it. Saudis live on piracy, and piracy websites aren’t banned and very popular. On social media just mind your own business and don’t talk negatively about the royal family / government and you’re fine. Just use a VPN if you want to watch porn & feel extra safe. I don’t feel the need to use a VPN.

  • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    9 days ago

    All I hear about are the ultra-rich projects that the ultra-rich conduct in Saudi Arabia, what do economic classes look like in Saudi Arabia?

    is there a middle class?

    are ostentatious displays of wealth common to see while you’re walking around Saudi Arabian cities?

    is there a lot of poverty? is it visible?

    how is homelessness dealt with considering the deathly heat?

    what about healthcare and education? are those included as federal services or privatized?

    how are your taxes, or your parents I guess.

    what’s the best street food? every time I travel to a new country I get every type of street food I can find and make irrational snap judgments about the culture is based on their street food.