Saudi Arabia has a large population of foreign workers that make up the hard labor force. Many workers are given Fridays off from work. The weekend in Saudi Arabia is on Thursday and Friday. Friday is the holy day when Muslim men are expected to go to attend prayers at the mosque, although many attend prayers every day of the week. After attending prayers, many of the workers gather together and just sit around talking and smoking. There is really not much in Saudi Arabia for these men to do in their spare time. There are not really public parks to speak of for them to enjoy, and most of the workers don’t play sports, much less watch sports on television.
These men are actually sitting in the middle of a barren traffic island which separates lanes of traffic. They gather by the dozens here and just pass the time together. I think it’s a shame that there are not activities for them to do and that the only place they can hang out is in the middle of a desolate rocky traffic island, breathing in all the exhaust fumes from the passing cars.
16
Nov
09
I am an American woman. I met my husband more than 30 years ago when we were both college students in Arizona. So after all that time in the states, my hubby desired to move back to his native home of Saudi Arabia. I've been in Jeddah now since October 2007. My new home is amazing: interesting, fascinating, and colorful. The people are warm, courteous and as interested in me as I am in them, however they highly regard their privacy. My camera goes with me every time I step out the door - I don't want to miss a thing!
Please be sure to also visit my other blog, 
Pathfinder and Alyaba–great information, thanks!
Well, first of all, there are places where the workers can go or activities. Look at the Pilipino and Turkish workers in they have very well organized programs in the weekend, you will see them diving, fishing doing sport activities, hiking and even musical activates! It is the workers fault they are not planning their weekend.
As for Geogypsy, there are no segregation between men and women in parks …We have a place called Mamsha behind the Weston Hotel and you will see men and women walking near each other freely some without headscarf and I have seen many Saudi women jogging there while wearing their walkman!!!
i think they might be waiting for someone to drive by that needs work done.
I agree that this is a shame. I must say the Filipinas in Hong Kong were very enterprising in organizing day long Sunday picnics and social events. They occupied the public parks en masse.
Susie,
I am so excited to see your blog! I have been learning a ton about SAudi Arabia by just taking a religion course and now international marketing. I have chosen to write a marketing plan to build a costco in jeddah. do you have any advise for my marketing plan?
Thanks!!
Hmm, you make me wonder what our foreign workers do on Saturday.
Maybe if not so much of the public art was on or so near to the roads there would be parks. But then women probably couldn’t go there.