Go Home [Jeddah Updates]
This week in Jeddah.
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Health
Everyone remembers that fateful day when the smoking ban was finally implemented all over Jeddah. The city was deserted, with only the sound of the whispering wind and a couple of tumbleweeds populating the streets and the cafes as people stayed home and exercised their god-given right to acquire lung cancer.
Times are a-changing, however. There are hushed tones of delight as Jeddawis whisper to each other which cafes and restaurants have started allowing indoor smoking.
"I know I always complain about how we have problems with following up on rules that we implement, but this time, I celebrate it. GOOD JOB, AUTHORITIES!" said one person.
Not surprisingly, this person is in fact not a smoker. But thanks to the lax nature of rule implementation in Jeddah, this person, like all other non-smokers in the city, can now have their social lives back as their smoker friends have started to come out of their houses and into the restaurants.
SOCIAL
The Jawazat raids have been ordered to come to a halt by the highest authority, but the rift between locals and expatriates remain. Reports have shown how the average Joe (or Yusof, as it were) is taking the hit; many Saudis are over-compensating for the trouble the raids have brought to their expatriate friends and their families.
"I offered to pay for my expat friend's higher education," said one Saudi. "I have also paid for all our meals every time we go out for lunch or dinner. I just feel bad that they're not working."
Expats are still upset about the raid rumors. "They are chasing us out like we are criminals! We're not doing anything wrong! We're only trying to feed our families doing honest work. What's the crime in illegal sponsorship?"
What indeed.
EMPLOYMENT
While the strict jawazat rules being implemented have definitely affected businesses and companies, experts are saying that this is expected, but it will get better for the country economically, and it is already paving the way to a decrease in youth unemployment.
"Many companies are now hiring Saudis. This is all we wanted," the experts said.
Meanwhile, all the skilled, talented, intelligent youth of Saudi ready to join the work force are fast and furiously sending their CVs to Google.
"Who wants to work in this shithole?" said one young Saudi. "Look at Google. Their cafeterias are magnificent, they have game rooms, GAME ROOMS, and they allow you to work on your own projects."
We are clearly doing something right.
GO HOME, JEDDAH. YOU'RE DRUNK.
Oh, hai. You came back for Jeddah updates. Good. Now pledge 2 riyals to keep this blog going, just like these nice people did.
Health
Everyone remembers that fateful day when the smoking ban was finally implemented all over Jeddah. The city was deserted, with only the sound of the whispering wind and a couple of tumbleweeds populating the streets and the cafes as people stayed home and exercised their god-given right to acquire lung cancer.
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| Jeddah in October 2012. Photo credit: The Interwebs. |
Times are a-changing, however. There are hushed tones of delight as Jeddawis whisper to each other which cafes and restaurants have started allowing indoor smoking.
"I know I always complain about how we have problems with following up on rules that we implement, but this time, I celebrate it. GOOD JOB, AUTHORITIES!" said one person.
Not surprisingly, this person is in fact not a smoker. But thanks to the lax nature of rule implementation in Jeddah, this person, like all other non-smokers in the city, can now have their social lives back as their smoker friends have started to come out of their houses and into the restaurants.
SOCIAL
The Jawazat raids have been ordered to come to a halt by the highest authority, but the rift between locals and expatriates remain. Reports have shown how the average Joe (or Yusof, as it were) is taking the hit; many Saudis are over-compensating for the trouble the raids have brought to their expatriate friends and their families.
"I offered to pay for my expat friend's higher education," said one Saudi. "I have also paid for all our meals every time we go out for lunch or dinner. I just feel bad that they're not working."
Expats are still upset about the raid rumors. "They are chasing us out like we are criminals! We're not doing anything wrong! We're only trying to feed our families doing honest work. What's the crime in illegal sponsorship?"
What indeed.
EMPLOYMENT
While the strict jawazat rules being implemented have definitely affected businesses and companies, experts are saying that this is expected, but it will get better for the country economically, and it is already paving the way to a decrease in youth unemployment.
"Many companies are now hiring Saudis. This is all we wanted," the experts said.
Meanwhile, all the skilled, talented, intelligent youth of Saudi ready to join the work force are fast and furiously sending their CVs to Google.
"Who wants to work in this shithole?" said one young Saudi. "Look at Google. Their cafeterias are magnificent, they have game rooms, GAME ROOMS, and they allow you to work on your own projects."
We are clearly doing something right.
GO HOME, JEDDAH. YOU'RE DRUNK.
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