What I hate about tRump in Saudi

[ProudLib72]

I lived in Dhahran Saudi Arabia for two years, so I know a little about the culture. Arabs are the single most genuinely welcoming people on the planet. Period. If you are their guest, they will do anything to make you comfortable and happy. You will receive drinks and something to eat within ten minutes of entering their home. You will be welcome to stay as long as you want. If you admire one of their possessions, it is yours. They truly honor their guests, no matter what.

That is what irritates me about tRump being there. He is so utterly unworthy of their hospitality it makes me sick. He was given the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud, something he does not come close to deserving (but he is their guest). He was given a big show with the sword dance (because he is their guest). Did you notice that immediately after disembarking AF1 both he and Melania were given bouquets (because guests are appreciated). Ivanka and Melania get to walk around without covering their heads (because a guest should not be embarrassed by being told they are doing something impolite).

Donnie is an asshole who derides Arab culture, yet he is reveling in their hospitality. Make no mistake, they are treating him like royalty, and he is loving it 100%. But he will leave Saudi without having gained any appreciation for that culture. He will still look down on them and believe they treated him that way because he is special.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

1. Thanks for sharing your insight. I don't really equate Trump with any kind of

normal behavior - zero. So no matter where he goes, who he sees, it is ALL distorted
and unreal and seriously rotten to the core.

[uppityperson]

2. K&R

[flamingdem]

3. Interesting insights

I do think they're greasing the palm as well though. It's about get as well as give, they want weapons, etc.

[ProudLib72]

4. I agree that they want weapons

However, I do not think they would have treated him differently if he had not come bearing an arms deal. Hospitality is bred into them as an integral part of their culture. Not to honor him would have brought shame on all of Saudi Arabia. Now he might think they are treating him differently in part because of the weapons. He might think he is the big, important businessman who must be treated like royalty. That perspective he holds, in and of itself, is what makes me ill.

[ProudLib72]

5. I'll leave you with this story

I moved to Saudi when I was 13 and left when I was 15. They do not allow children of expats to stay beyond junior high (they are too rebellious). I lived on an American compound (ARAMCO compound), but there were a lot of nationalities living there. For one of my class projects, a friend and I had to do a report on Saudi culture. We needed to find out about games, food, celebrations, etc. The friend I was working with was this Indian kid named Sunil. He had lived on the compound a lot longer than I had, so he knew his way around better. He knew where we could find the home of an Arab family. I wasn't to sure, but he insisted that we just walk up and ring the bell. Well, that's what we did. Within seconds we were escorted inside (not something many people around here would do for complete strangers). We were sat down and given Sprite and cookies. After we were refreshed, we began our interview. Our host told us all about life in Saudi Arabia. I'd guess we were there for an hour taking notes. Never once did I feel like we were intruding or that our host was bored with us in any way. He was genuinely pleased to have us as guests and regale us with tales from his childhood.

This story has stuck with me for over thirty years, and I'm not likely to ever forget it. It may seem simple, but to me the experience demonstrated the honest hospitality of Arab culture. Just walk up to a stranger's house and ring the bell. You will be welcomed.

[luvMIdog]

8. I love that story :) Thanks for sharing

I'll tell you one that made me laugh. When I was in Jordan I met this old man. He was wearing a thobe & head cover very much like the Saudi's . He came up to me me and broke into a big smile and began asking me questions with one of the thickest SCOTTISH accents I've ever heard. The contrast of seeing him dressed that way & that heavy Scottish accent nearly cracked me up & it was difficult for me to hold back, but I managed thank goodness. Anyway he told me he learned to speak English from a Scot when they put a railroad through there. He was a very nice old man & very inquisitive & often would come to my house bringing a bag of figs or something and ask me questions. He never would come in he said it would not be proper because I had no man in my house, he just stood in front of my porch and talked to me.

[ProudLib72]

13. That's a good story!

If it had been me, I wouldn't have understood. I have the toughest time with Scottish accents!

[luvMIdog]

14. I was staying in the mostly Arab part of Jordan I was relieved to understand anything LOL

[JustAnotherGen]

12. What an nice story

Thank you for sharing.

[smirkymonkey]

6. Thank you for your viewpoint. It is very much appreciated.

I agree that he is a most ungracious and unworthy guest. I only hope that this did not go to his head too much. The last thing he needs is to feel like he is worshiped abroad.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

7. What I hate about tRump in Saudi

Eventually he'll come back to the U.S.

[JI7]

9. this is about the fucking saudi royal family who are manipulating him for their own purposes

it's not the average arab family who is doing this. in fact i'm sure many of them would protest him if they could .

[oberliner]

10. Nothing you have written here is true

If you are a woman.

[DrDan]

11. agree completely with your description of their hospitality - lived there for 4 years myself

Let me add a few words about friendship. They are not easy to make friends with. It may take years to become friends with a Saudi. They are always gracious, polite, but friendship takes time.

That said, once you have a friendship, it is strong and forever. It has been a couple of decades since last there, but I know friendships established are still there.