In every country I've been to so far, people have used the English word "style" to express different aspects of culture. In Korea, "Korean Style" was used enthusiastically when trying to garner some understanding from the foreigners (us) about something decidedly Korean (like red bean = "Korean style chocolate.") In China, it was usually used sarcastically (along with "This is China") to describe something that probably wouldn't fly somewhere else (like sell by dates meaning nothing in Chinese supermarkets).
I haven't been in Saudi Arabia long enough to really learn what "Saudi style" means to people here (and it's hard, as a woman, to get experiences with locals outside of my classroom). But I have picked up a few things.
Firstly, Saudi time is a little like island time. It's all I can do to get my girls into class on time. And sometimes they simply vanish after a break. I love these girls and I know it isn't malicious (some of the other teachers have worse luck with their students' temperaments), but it's pretty difficult to deal with. I'm not a natural authoritarian in the classroom. Generally, I rely on appeals to humanity and mutual respect to manage my classroom. I'm trying to reward good attendance before I punish poor attendance, but I may have to lay down the law. Saudis also aren't used to more than half a day's work or school, so keeping my students in class until 2:30pm requires Herculean effort. There's a lot of cultural factors working against us here. I'm trying to add a lot of variety into the day so that students want to stay. It seems to be working for many of them. Fingers crossed.
Secondly, FOOD! And coffee, of course, this is Arabia, after all. Saudis love their picnics. It seems to be a huge part of the culture to lay down a rug/ tarp /newspaper (anything!), gather the food in the middle (especially plates of "small bites"), sit around in a circle and eat and chat. It's quite nice. Apparently, picnicking in the desert is a big thing and it's something I plan to do in the (very short) spring season coming up.
I haven't been in Saudi Arabia long enough to really learn what "Saudi style" means to people here (and it's hard, as a woman, to get experiences with locals outside of my classroom). But I have picked up a few things.
Firstly, Saudi time is a little like island time. It's all I can do to get my girls into class on time. And sometimes they simply vanish after a break. I love these girls and I know it isn't malicious (some of the other teachers have worse luck with their students' temperaments), but it's pretty difficult to deal with. I'm not a natural authoritarian in the classroom. Generally, I rely on appeals to humanity and mutual respect to manage my classroom. I'm trying to reward good attendance before I punish poor attendance, but I may have to lay down the law. Saudis also aren't used to more than half a day's work or school, so keeping my students in class until 2:30pm requires Herculean effort. There's a lot of cultural factors working against us here. I'm trying to add a lot of variety into the day so that students want to stay. It seems to be working for many of them. Fingers crossed.
Secondly, FOOD! And coffee, of course, this is Arabia, after all. Saudis love their picnics. It seems to be a huge part of the culture to lay down a rug/ tarp /newspaper (anything!), gather the food in the middle (especially plates of "small bites"), sit around in a circle and eat and chat. It's quite nice. Apparently, picnicking in the desert is a big thing and it's something I plan to do in the (very short) spring season coming up.
A picnic some students set up every day in one of the back rooms. It's all sweets (cookies and chocolate, mostly), breads, dates, coffee and tea. I asked permission to put this photo on the internet since some more conservative ladies don't even want their hands photographed. But, these girls were fine with it. They love Instagram and Snapchat, just no faces!
We had a potluck dinner as housemates tonight. We did it Saudi style on the floor. My contribution was piddly (roasted broccoli and cauliflower), but I plan to make up for it after payday when I stock my pantry and can make homemade breads, muffins, biscuits, etc. It was great. It's a diverse house: we have women from the states, Saudi, Yemen, the Philippines, Cameroon, Bermuda, etc. here! It's awesome getting to know everyone.
As mentioned, another important part of Saudi culture is coffee! Every kind of coffee is enjoyed here (with no pubs, it's coffee shops folks hang out in), but there are several traditional Arabic coffees. There's "Turkish" coffee which is a strong dark roast with
lots of cardamom. It can be served with or without sugar (same for milk). There's also "Arabic" coffee which is green (unroasted) coffee beans with cardamom. It's often made with a little sugar and saffron, too (sometimes a little milk or reamer gets thrown in these days). Green coffee has more caffeine in it, since the roasting process cooks a bit out. So, even the tiny cup you're served packs a punch! Then, of course, everyone love Starbucks, Caribou, Tim Hortons, Costa, etc. etc. Coffee is serious business here. Ian and I often visit a shop 3 times in one day on the weekend.I'm trying to take more pictures, but I'm also trying to be sensitive to taboos. As I learn more and get more comfortable, you'll see more! Woot!
My goal is to write twice more this week! Wish me luck!
My goal is to write twice more this week! Wish me luck!