Expat blog gatherings in Riyadh

53176POSTS

13 years ago

Hi all!

What about meeting the other Riyadh 大咖福利影院 members in real life? Organizing an 大咖福利影院 meet up would be an excellent way to know them!

An 大咖福利影院 meet up can be a diner gathering, having coffee, a bring and share in a nice place, a cultural or sports activity, etc. There are plenty of possibilities: just imagine a pleasant way to meet new people and old friends from 大咖福利影院.

Feel free to organize 大咖福利影院 get-togethers in Riyadh: you would meet the other members in a friendly atmosphere and have a good time together!

Of course, we could offer some help to organize your meet up and to inform the community.

So, who聮s in? Do not hesitate to start a new thread to suggest an 大咖福利影院 gathering in Riyadh.

Best,

Julien

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londoner1 Active member

42POSTS

13 years ago

sounds great!

but my future Riyadh comrades, have this in 3 months time!!!

iamthere Serial expat

265POSTS

13 years ago

Well, where can men and women meet together, without running afoul of the Metawa.

seeker of truth ViP

1129POSTS

13 years ago

iamthere wrote:
Well, where can men and women meet together, without running afoul of the Metawa.

mmmmmmmmm...
Outside Saudi Arabia?! Outside GCC?! for sure, there will be no Mutawa! hahaha

Alliecat ViP

8790POSTS

13 years ago

Yes!听 Let's all meet .. in Paris!

BandarH New member

6POSTS

13 years ago

why dont we meet in the Desert !!

For me, I won 4脳4 GMC 8100

It is nice to have some barbecue under moon light yummy!

riduan New member

4POSTS

13 years ago

I propose to set up a real and official club ... any consulate will be delighted to welcome us

iamthere Serial expat

265POSTS

13 years ago

I nominate Riduan for president. Please make sure the consulate allolws men and women to mix. Suggestions that you might find useful. 1. Not all ex-pats get paid a Saudi-Aramco salary. So keep event costs low. Other ex-pat groups in the area not limited to a certain nationality are: USERA, American Community of Riyadh and American Business Group of Riyadh. Can anybody expand on this list?

riduan New member

4POSTS

13 years ago

P茅sidence No, no thank you .. We need ideas first..it' s not time to act now...

rana.muq Active member

43POSTS

13 years ago

#10

i think in compound its ok

iamthere Serial expat

265POSTS

13 years ago

#11

We need access to a compound. Also for ideas check out the following threads;

The wandering me club
Go Karting
July 4th bowling party
Friday afternoon game day.

Alliecat ViP

8790POSTS

13 years ago

#12

riduan wrote:
any consulate will be delighted to welcome us

I like your optimistic attitude!

khanmazher Active member

25POSTS

13 years ago

#13

I think a tieup with a compound or an Embassy will be a good idea! So where do you think we take the first step?

riduan New member

4POSTS

13 years ago

#14

First, determine the objectives of our meetings .. just entertainment? Just for the lonely or extend to the whole comunity .. families , children and mothers.
I think we need to aim high ... the major objective is to create an environment of balanced social life of our small comunity .. Families and lonely ...
听 I have seen mothers and children also on this site who have such worries as we have..
What do you think about this ?

khanmazher Active member

25POSTS

13 years ago

#15

I agree with Riduan, We need to create a wholistic friendly environment where we can meet each other as we meet our friends, family and well wishers.

I think we should include families, children, singles and make each one responsible for their action.

We should built this community on mutual trust and respect for each other.

iamthere Serial expat

265POSTS

13 years ago

#16

We need a time, date and place for a first meeting. Any place that allows men and women to mingle together.

dynamo1131 Serial expat

289POSTS

13 years ago

#17

Esteraha's would accomodate both male and female, mostly costs about SR 600 above. It has pools for the kids. Food is a problem because it has to be prepared by the group.

seeker of truth ViP

1129POSTS

13 years ago

#18

dynamo1131 wrote:
Esteraha's would accomodate both male and female, mostly costs about SR 600 above. It has pools for the kids. Food is a problem because it has to be prepared by the group.

yeah both male and female that are couple.

iamthere Serial expat

265POSTS

13 years ago

#19

I suggest the first meeting be at the Diplomatic Quarter in a coffee shop. Men and women are allowed to mix there without running afoul of the mettawa. We don't have to worry about shelling out 600 Rs and no one showing up.

Sophia Aly Member

17POSTS

13 years ago

#20

It's a nice idea but who will take care of Metwas. I doubt combined gathering is possible. We all will land up in jail, having a good gathering 大咖福利影院 jail party... hahahha..

About the compounds, I heard that Metwas are entering to catch public at the compounds also. whenever they hear about compound parties.

But i really liked the idea. 大咖福利影院 Club... Keep it Up

iamthere Serial expat

265POSTS

13 years ago

#21

They don't enter the compounds. They wait outside to catch you drinking. I haven't had a problem mixing with families, etc n certain designated areas. it only becomes a problem when saudis are involved.

slzeik Member

13POSTS

13 years ago

#22

count me in!

Born2Network Guest

0POSTS

13 years ago

#23

Is access to the DQ open to everyone?听 I have had a couple friends over in the past, but not a group, hence why I ask......

E

samuvelthomson Member

2POSTS

13 years ago

#24

Hi All,
Isthiraha / Villa in the remote area will be Ok for this kind of meeting...
There are many programs on going nowadays...So no problem over there.
Count me as well for this gathering..

Great ideas to be acknowledged and appreciated and implemented..

Have a Great Day

slyshooter Serial expat

863POSTS

13 years ago

#25

Well there are a couple of options, from personal experience where mingling won't bother.

1. Five star restaurants at hotels like Intercontinental, Khozama, Faisaliah, Four Seasons etc. are good spots (Mutawwa-free)

2. Compounds Restaurants, where compound residents can register the visitors & there are some compounds that are a bit lenient at Gates and you can enter to use their services (pm for names)

3. Recreation centers like UBC or Khozama Bowling, Golf Courses, Reem Racing etc.听

But apart from all these, we guyz can atleast have meet-ups regularly at coffee shops etc. if interested. I am always up for events, so if anyone interested can arrange

iamthere Serial expat

265POSTS

13 years ago

#26

I think it is time to pull the trigger so to speak. We decide on a day and a place to meet. I am proposing Wednesday evening the 18th or Thursday afternoon the 19th. I rpopose on of the hotels on Olaya Street.听 Maybe the Holiday Inn coffee shop. I am hoping we can avoid spending 200 Riyals to get people together.

tansari VIP Member

255POSTS

13 years ago

#27

So, what's the plan now? Holiday Inn coffee shop is a good place to meet...

iamthere Serial expat

265POSTS

13 years ago

#28

I will do some research on whuch of the three holiday inns on the same block will allow men and women to mix together and we can start talking. Since I am going home permenantly, we need another chairperson for the meeting. I don't mind pictching in.

kalex New member

5POSTS

13 years ago

#29

One of the best options is to meet at the DQ's coffee shop.听听I have been there before with a group and the only cost is for a cup of coffee.

Alliecat ViP

8790POSTS

13 years ago

#30

kalex wrote:
One of the best options is to meet at the DQ's coffee shop.听听I have been there before with a group and the only cost is for a cup of coffee.

I was there once and we were harrassed by mutawa.听 That's not to say it will happen every time but just to let you know that you're still taking a chance if it's mixed company (we thought the DQ was off-limits to the 'm' but it's not).

TheLegendLeads ViP

5763POSTS

13 years ago

#31

Alliecat wrote:
kalex wrote:
One of the best options is to meet at the DQ's coffee shop.听听I have been there before with a group and the only cost is for a cup of coffee.

I was there once and we were harrassed by mutawa.听 That's not to say it will happen every time but just to let you know that you're still taking a chance if it's mixed company (we thought the DQ was off-limits to the 'm' but it's not).

Oh Really? I've been there a few times but no one bothered. Good to know anyways.

Alliecat ViP

8790POSTS

13 years ago

#32

TheLegendLeads wrote:
Alliecat wrote:
kalex wrote:
One of the best options is to meet at the DQ's coffee shop.听听I have been there before with a group and the only cost is for a cup of coffee.

I was there once and we were harrassed by mutawa.听 That's not to say it will happen every time but just to let you know that you're still taking a chance if it's mixed company (we thought the DQ was off-limits to the 'm' but it's not).

Oh Really? I've been there a few times but no one bothered. Good to know anyways.

I've been there before and never saw them, as well.. but on one occasion ...

So just to give all of you the heads-up 听

I guess we think the DQ is off-bounds because of the embassies and the embassies ARE off-bounds, but not the rest of the place.

iamthere Serial expat

265POSTS

13 years ago

#33

Prince Zeyad has changed the law about single men not being able to go to amusement parks, museums etc. on certain days. I am trying to find the news article about it. That is why there is no divider in marina mall for families and bachelors. Also, as my students explained it, the women can approach, but you can't approach them.

Born2Network Guest

0POSTS

13 years ago

#34

iamthere wrote:
Prince Zeyad has changed the law about single men not being able to go to amusement parks, museums etc. on certain days. I am trying to find the news article about it. That is why there is no divider in marina mall for families and bachelors. Also, as my students explained it, the women can approach, but you can't approach them.

This is my CNN and BBC !!!

desertlifestyle Serial expat

267POSTS

13 years ago

#35

dont worrry about matwas .. just arrange it at any home ,,, my home is always open for u guys,

TheLegendLeads ViP

5763POSTS

13 years ago

#36

desertlifestyle wrote:
dont worrry about matwas .. just arrange it at any home ,,, my home is always open for u guys,

Thanks for offering us a place 400km away. Why don't you gather Al-Khobar EBians there?

TheLegendLeads ViP

5763POSTS

13 years ago

#37

iamthere wrote:
Prince Zeyad has changed the law about single men not being able to go to amusement parks, museums etc. on certain days. I am trying to find the news article about it. That is why there is no divider in marina mall for families and bachelors. Also, as my students explained it, the women can approach, but you can't approach them.

who is Prince Zeyad? I don't think there is any official with this name [Never heard] That must be about Prince Sattam (the governor of Riyadh), he's the one who have been advising on showing leniency on such rules.

Check out: /forum/viewtopic.php?id=152390

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