Social Behavior in Public. Females are prohibited from driving vehicles or riding bicycles on public roads, or in places where they might be observed. Males and females beyond childhood are not free to congregate together in most public places, and a man may be arrested for being seen with, walking with, traveling with, or driving a woman other than his wife or immediate relative. In Saudi Arabia, playing of music or dancing in public, mixed bathing, public showing of movies, and consumption of alcoholic beverages are forbidden. [guess 8 1/2 won't play there]
Saudi religious police, known as Mutawwa, have been empowered to enforce the conservative interpretation of Islamic codes of dress and behavior for women, and may rebuke or harass women who do not cover their heads or whose clothing is insufficiently concealing. In addition, in more conservative areas, there have been incidents of private Saudi citizens stoning, accosting, or pursuing foreigners, including U.S. citizens, for perceived dress code or other infractions. While most such incidents have resulted in little more than inconvenience or embarrassment for the individual targeted, there have been incidents where Westerners were physically harmed.[get out the jallabia]
Alcohol and Drugs. Import, manufacture, possession, and consumption of alcoholic beverages or drugs are strictly forbidden. Saudi officials make no exceptions. Americans have spent up to a year in Saudi prisons for alcohol-related offenses. Americans have also been sentenced to receive 75 or more lashes in lieu of prison for failing a blood test for alcohol. Travelers should also exercise extreme care and discretion when consuming alcohol on flights landing in the Kingdom. Persons obviously inebriated are subject to arrest or deportation. [not a fun vacation destination] |
