Expats in Saudi: Behind the veil

BBC NEWS | Middle East: "In the second of an occasional series about the experiences of expatriate workers, US citizen 'Jayne' writes about hiding behind traditional women's clothes, constant vigilance, and unheard-of poverty among ordinary Saudis.

In the past, Saudi Arabia was a quiet, safe and pleasant place to live, but that has changed recently. Most Western women here are battling fear and anxiety. For the first time since coming to the kingdom, I see Western women hiding behind the veil, Saudi-style, when out in public. It's quite startling, actually, to pass a veiled lady in the aisle at the grocery store and to hear an American voice coming from behind the veil.

They limit their shopping trips. When couples go out shopping, they try to leave their cars in a secure location to prevent sabotage. Some couples have stopped using their own vehicles and use taxis instead.

There is another big worry. A mass exodus of Westerners will adversely affect Saudi society, because at present thousands of young Saudis are receiving on-the-job training from Westerners in a massive push toward complete "Saudisation" of the workforce. If all the Westerners leave, who will finish training these young people? Why is there growing poverty in one of the richest countries in the world?"