Andrea is a regular follower of American Bedu blog and resides in Khobar which is in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. She recounted her experience with a drunk and drifting young Saudi man. I will provide additional comments to her experience but first wish to share in her own words:
On a Friday morning I was working on a friend’s Christmas present at home, when she happened to call to invite me to breakfast. At around 9:30 I called a taxi and we headed into town, maybe 5 miles. Near my compound there is a traffic roundabout and I wasn’t paying attention to traffic because I was on mobile facebook. My taxi driver suddenly skidded to a stop in the roundabout I looked up to see a black Toyota Corolla stopped facing us, with a young guy in it jovially laughing and waving at us.
Then my driver told me that he’d only just spun around to a stop in front of us and had actually barely missed smashing into the corner of my taxi. Thankfully my driver stopped quickly and hit the emergency lights at the same time I was craning my around back to see whether a Mack truck was about to hit us and ruin my breakfast plans. The troublemaker began to slowly back away from the curb and turn completely around to drive forward when he almost backed into a bus coming fast from behind me in the next lane. Screeeech! Everyone stopped again. Eventually his highness got in gear and everyone was able to move forward.
He disappeared for about another half mile and then after the next roundabout we passed him on the side of the road. The little drunken menace was outside his vehicle stumbling to hold on to the door and waving wildly at me as we drove by. So I did what any self respecting American woman would reasonably do when they want to break someone’s legs but cannot reach. I gave him the bird.
Less than 5 seconds later (how?!?) he sped up to my side of the taxi and was weaving wildly in and out of (relatively light) traffic honking and waving and yelling “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” He barely missed hitting several other cars besides ours. I ignored him for about a mile, then finally gave him a half nod to get him to stop being such a fool. Being the hazard he turned out to be, he took this as encouragement and immediately sped out in front of us and began to wildly gyrate his car just barely under catastrophic loss of control, spinning in loops in front of us and to my side of the taxi, and going back and forth across 3 lanes of traffic. I could see his back tires flattening out completely to the point where his rims were shooting sparks off the asphalt.
At this point we were on the Corniche road . He continued to honk and yell, interspersed with spinning and sparking tires. When we reached a red light he was in the far right lane and my driver (bless him) pulled as far left as he could. He also managed to get another driver from the same company to park on my side of the car to protect me, and in the next lane was a bus. I could still tell that my driver could see the little fiend , because he was waving at him to get back in his car and go away. Thankfully I actually couldn’t see what the guy was doing. I heard squealing tires and the monster had turned right and driven away. Phew, I thought. Finally safe.
About 20 seconds later we say him coming back towards our light (he had made a u-turn – probably upside down and in reverse), and he stopped there to turn right onto the Corniche and continue to jeopardize lives (namely, mine). As we continued down the road in the middle of Khobar towards the market and restaurant this clown was a few car lengths in front of us. There were about 10 other vehicles within 50 yards of us, but the grim-Toyota-reaper continued to think it funny to slow to about 10 mph, then up to 70, and spin in circles from right to left lane within 10 feet of the front of my taxi up until we reached the market.
We finally managed to pass him and pull into Tamimi, when I turned to see that he had pulled in directly behind us. I double paid my driver for his beautifully safe, calm and controlled driving and then walked quickly inside. The cretin in the death-mobile parked his car directly under where our table turned out to be. After 5 min or so we saw him pull out to leave, but then the munchies apparently kicked in (so alcohol and maryjane?) and he saw Baskin Robbins. He then decided this 10 foot wide space between parked cars was a perfect spot to make a 3 point turn. My friends found watching this hilarious. It was also almost closing time for Friday prayer and this kid has his car up on the curb, back down off the curb, up on the curb, back down off the curb.. Eventually he gave up and basically parked half on the curb and half in the drive through, blocking traffic, and went to get ice cream.
My friends (instigators) told me it was my divine responsibility to get security and make sure this drunken idiot didn’t end up killing anyone, so I went back downstairs to Tamimi as they were closing for prayer. When I explained to the security guard what happened he whispered a shocked “sh*t” (hilarious to me at the time) and went to get another guard. This second fella came out, heard my story and began stomping across the parking lot to confront the criminal in his den. I went to. I like a good fight. As we walked by his car I reached in to take his keys (it was running). I got it turned off, but there was a key lock. We then went inside the store where the driver began yelling “I told you sorry! I told you sorry!” So I said “what?? All THREE times you tried to kill me?”
He found this really funny and managed to maintain the same smug chuckling (infuriating) demeanor until I last saw him about 11 hours later. I thumped a finger in his chest and told him to wait for the police or I would come find him myself. Then I left. I spend 8 years in the Marine Corps..this boy doesn’t know how lucky he is that he didn’t do this to me in a different country.
The security guard came to get me in the restaurant about 5 minutes later to tell me that he had called police because the guy was clearly drinking (he smelled it) and because he had claimed to be anyone from a prince to the king and to have the right to do whatever he wanted. So when the police came I chatted with them. Apparently police cars here have no way of issuing tickets or taking reports. They had 2 legal pads of paper and 4 mobile phones and blank looks when I asked why I actually had to go all the way to the police station when they were right there.
Nothing doing.. eventually I’d have to go. So they called in the license plate (the driver had left by now) and told me when they find him I must come to the PD. As I was walking back to eat (3rd time?) they honked for me to come back. They had found the guy (less than 10 minutes! Wow!) and I must go to PD now. So the security guard and I both got in a taxi and drove to the PD. (bye bye eggs and bacon). At the PD we spent the first 20 minutes, myself and 8 police men and my security guard friends, teaching them exactly how to say Andrea. Anderreeahh. Endrreuh..ENDurreah? I failed to see the relevance, but it was kinda fun. Eventually I and security fella gave statements to a man in a room with two other non-police men looking on. My friends were texting me how scared they’d be in my place. I texted back that it was more an interrogation and that there were bright lights. Not really, but it was still funny. I’m used to rooms full of men in uniform, it wasn’t that big a deal.
Apparently they’d only found the guys car, not him and before I left they told me I’d have to return when he was caught, so that I could do …what? I don’t know. I don’t think they knew either. So I got home close to noon.
At about 3:45 I got a call that he had been apprehended and I must come to identify him. I was unable to get my taxi place to answer the phone, nor could I contact my driver from that morning to help as a witness, and I was in the middle of finishing my original Christmas present project from the morning, so I blew it off. At about 8:30 that night I got another call. Doctora, the man has been waiting here for 4 hours, are you coming? (inshallah..oops.. chuckle.. sorry to inconvenience him..) So I called a taxi and went downtown. This being after my bedtime I was a little more peeved, but since I’d spent the day with shaking hands and a clenched angry heart that wouldn’t go away, it wasn’t much more.
At the PD I was interviewed again by another more important police man. At one point he got a translator (his friend) to help. Then my taxi driver (who was a little too talkative, flirtatious and possessive of me, his passenger) came in for no apparent reason. Immediately every man in the room turned his back to me and began interviewing this driver who I’d just met 10 minutes before, and ignored me. I had to eventually stand up, get between them and tell the driver to go please wait outside for me. And I had to convince the police chief fellow to speak to me, not the driver who has nothing to do with me. So finally they did. I gave my statement (more emphatically this time).
Then they brought Mr. I’ll-use-my-vehicle-as-a-missile-today guy in and asked me what I’d like to say to him. So I did. He sat smugly smiling and protesting (and being shushed by the PD every time) while I let him have it. I made it clear that he was a menace, he was going to kill somebody with his driving and that I and the security guard are certain he was drunk. He tried to tell me “I have a small baby at home, I wouldn’t try to kill you”, so again I replied “really? THREE TIMES you didn’t try to kill someone with your car?” He found this funny, laughed and was almost cuffed across the head by the nearest police man. (snicker).
They asked me if there was anything I wanted from him (heh??) or to say to him. I repeated again, my only concern is that he IS going to kill someone with his car and I want him prevented from this, but I also said I don’t want to pursue court because I don’t want to have to travel back and forth to the PD repeatedly to get it done. So they asked me to just tell them what I want.. Then the “prince’s” uncle came in begging my forgiveness and offering to do ANTHING to make it up to me. He said “I will beat him if you want”. I replied “No, I prefer to beat him myself”. The uncle quickly agreed to this and offered to go get him, but the police stopped him. I was only mildly relieved, since I really really wanted to break something on him by this point. Eventually I asked only that they pay all my wasted taxi money from the day (to include my morning bonus to my driver) and that the boy not be allowed to drive anymore. I doubt it will happen. In hindsight I wish I’d simply taken his car away from him. I could have sold it and used the money for a nice vacation.
American Bedu comments: Unfortunately even though the young male was acting idiotic and reckless, the mere fact of having an expat female respond in any manner is taken as encouragement by these immature youths. They are rarely exposed to women period and some (like this guy) will go to any lengths to get further attention. As a suggestion for anyone having such an experience, in addition to filing a statement at the police, be sure to also notify your local embassy or consulate, especially if you are required to sign any documents which are in Arabic. You might be signing to something you never said or agreed about. I am very surprised by the fact that the guy smelled of alcohol seemed to be disregarded. Consuming alcohol actually carries more serious charges than driving recklessly.
Sadly it also seems the police were not as diligent and enforcing as they could be. Was this because the complaint and report was filed by a “mere expat woman” who was more of a curiosity than someone to be taken seriously? (and no offense is meant towards Andrea but I am simply speculating on the possible mindset of the police). Would the Tamimi security have gone to the police station for a complaint made by a man?
And of course a question for all of you – what would be an appropriate restitution for this youth with no brains? How does he learn a lesson? Would having him have to sit and listen to several families who lost their loved one because he was stupid and did the same thing as the young man plus having to listen to innocent victims who lost their loved one because of foolishness like his? Would that be appropriate? Would he take away something positive?
My sincere thanks to Andrea for sharing details of her experience. Insha’allah it will never be repeated.
Filed under: culture, gender, safety, Saudi Arabia, Saudi blogs, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi education, Saudi Living, travel, Uncategorized, women driving, Women Issues Tagged: | blogging, culture, culture shock, customs, KSA, places, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel
What an story! I think you were brave handling this situation and also merciful with the drunk guy.
I don’t understand how noone else complained about him.
Too bad they don’t have community service. The local drunks in my area have to clean-up parks on the weekends. A very useful job.
well done Andrea!
those ppl who drive their car crazy in Saudi Arabia they really dangerous most of them are in teenage age .. i like what you did but i want if it was at the first when you see one of them you must make a phone call to police don’t hesitate for this matter. those really don’t care about anything in the life.. the story has in both side funny and not funny . it was very funny as style-written and its not funny as the events inside..
one word last, all Saudis and Saudi community suffer of this dangerous phenomena its main problem that Saudi community tries to overcome it or at least combating it to reduces it as concern phenomena in Saudi Arabia.
This incident raises some very serious questions – does Saudi Arabia have no strict laws about irresponsible drunken driving? If the laws are there, are they not enforced? Or is the corruption is rampant like in so many other countires that many guilty go scotfree and therefore, are not scared of getting punished – therefore the existence of such incidents? Why is it that this woman had to decide what should be done with the youth? Are there no laws that decide what kind of punishment should be given to such miscreants – at least imprisonment for a few months if not more severe punishments, would be the order in most countries?
The readers should note that this was not just an incident of drunken and irresponsible driving – the youth’s behaviour would qualify for sexual harrassment in many countries – including in India and that is a serious crime here – the man is guilty until he proves himself to be innocent. Yes, there are loopholes for the man to exploit, but that’s how the law has been framed regarding sexual harrassment. Are there no laws in Saudi Arabia against sexual harrassment to a woman and how is sexual harrassment defined there? What kind of punishment does a man get for this crime?
It is indeed shocking that a country that punishes its young men for visiting an old widow’s house by whipping all three of them takes crimes such as drunken irresponsible driving coupled with sexual harrassment so lightly.
It shows how absolutely sick and diseased Saudi society has become.
This kind of behaviour makes my blood boil. About a week ago I had a teenage driver yell something at me from his car. I think I’m glad I couldn’t understand him but my taxi driver said to me ‘he must think you’re Filipino’. I didn’t ask for a full translation.
My first thought was ‘Didn’t your parent’s teach you any manners? How do his parents allow this kind of behaviour?!’ But then thought that he’s probably the perfect angel at home. It seems to be deemed acceptable here amongst the young men to act with whatever lewd behaviour they wish outside of the home.
I’m not a big advocate of violence but I think some of these kids would only have their sense smacked into them by their father. There’s no other reason for these kids to be law-abiding citizens. Especially when the police officers couldn’t care or don’t even know how to uphold the rules.
Hi all,
Well, if you ask me, I think that this guy should be ‘filmed’ during the act and then have the film shown to his parents.
I think that if parents saw how their sons were ‘transformed’ when visiting a mixed expat beach vs. their behavior at their ‘own’ beach in front of their own relatives, they might be shocked.
Hi all,
Here in NZ and back home in Australia, we have a strong don’t drink and drive campaign in the media “if you drink and drive your a bloody idiot”. It’s extremely graphic and I like to think that it gets through to some of the youth.
There is really no ‘suitable’ punishment for this transgression, (not just for this youth in Saudi but to all youths across the world) that I can think of besides educating them. By that I mean have them spend time with drink drivers AND to the victims and their families to see just how much they suffer. In this way they can see the consequences of their actions.
This is a really strange story.
I share your understanding, Carol, that driving while drunk should’ve carried heavier weight than driving recklessly.
I am afraid the incident was not treated properly by the police. Simply put, such kinds of irresponsible youths are dangerous to the society and should be disciplined somehow.
I would have asked for his car. It would have been given too to save face by the uncle.
The only punishment that can possibly be meted out to these would be road pizzas…is to take their cars. For sure they will get other ones…but the shame of having to give it up to a mere woman…expat at that…will be something to remember. ,,,hopefully.
If you think their parents may not be aware, you may be grossly mistaken. There are many parents, who if confronted with such behaviour of their offsprings, just defend them vehemently and even blame the people who are accusing the youth.
But i have raised a much more serious serious of question than the accent of “reform” – this is a criminal act of sexual harrassment and must be treated as such. What is the position in Saudi Arabia about this?\
From amongst all the people familiar with the Saudi system, is there anyone ready to question the system or is everyone intimidated by the police-state that Saudi arabia is?
on an additional note:
the following Ffriday at Tamimi the guard asked me to come back Saturday to speak to his manage. I thought he was in trouble for leaving w/me to the PD, so I agreed. When I went in it was essentially for 2 reasons. The manager wanted to make sure I wasn’t upset w/Tamimi in any way (?? how could I be, no way!) AND to tell me that the police had called the security guard (Ali – fantastic fellow) the day after the incident to relay to HIM what the disposition of the case would be. Despite the fact that I asked repeatedly what would happen, would he have a record, would he lose his license, WHAT is the law about this..they never answered me. What they told Ali is that he would have a permanent record and if he’s caught again he will face stiff punishment.
Apparently I’m such a delicate flower (and clearly too stupid) to withstand this momentous and super-serious information w/out wetting myself. Anyway, it’s nice to know in the end he didn’t just walk out of there after giving me 100sr, and getting no punishment.
Thanks for the comments everyone. .I’m very curious to know the different perspectives on this type of incident.
thanks Carol
Could you (or the taxi driver) not have called the police right from the start? Doesn’t anyone do that when they see these idiots being reckless?
I don’t know how anyone can think KSA is a police state when there appears to be no police around for public safety or to keep the peace.
As I reflect on the incident what really surprises me is the minimal (to know) attention paid to the fact that the Saudi was clearly intoxicated. Frankly if it had been an expat, that expat would have likely been jailed, imprisoned and if lucky, deported for violating the no-alcohol band. In this case, it really seems that the fact he had been imbibing was totally ignored and the focus was on how to make retribution for being a pest.
I like Coolred’s suggestion of asking for the car as I also agree that as a face-saving mechanism it would have been given. But I also think additional measures should have been taken too.
I will never forget the one time when apparently a young teenager in our neighborhood had been killed while either drifting or driving recklessly. The car (or what little was left of it) was left on the side of the road near our neighborhood and many of the young man’s friends were viewing the car. You could tell by their faces that not only they grieved and missed their friend, but the sight of the car perhaps made it sink in more too (hopefully).
How can parents also enforce more controls without being overbearing parents? I’m not blaming parents for I can understand the peer pressure that even best raised teens may submit to… but it is also something to think about.
Get the car , that’s the one thing that gets their goat. Sure they’ll get another one soon but imagine trying to explain to your peers that you had to give up your car to a female.. ha ha ha that will teach them.
I’d take the car sell it and maybe give the moneyt o charity . who wants the idiots money. this way atleats it’ll keep him off the streets a while.
I do like that! Even better if charities would publish cars received due to reckless youth!
You are extremely lucky to be treated properly by the police. I doubt if a brown Asian woman complained she would have been treated the same there… at least it’s good they are doing SOME thing.
With the various comments that have been made, I figure this is a good time to share the following links if one needs assistance in KSA
http://americanbedu.com/2008/02/26/numbers-you-need-to-know/
and the next link is about an earlier incident during which police assistance was sought:
http://americanbedu.com/2007/10/18/what-a-travesty/
Andrea, you have shown fantastic courage and perseverance, especially being such a delicate flower.
How I would have loved a you-tube video of the delicate flowery Andrea kicking this idiot’s ass….
You should have asked for his car
Daisy has a point, amazing that people can get beaten up, chased to death, convicted to prison and torture for having a coffee in a public place with a member of the opposite sex, or bringing bread to an old widow, but dangerous and drunk driving, sexual harrassment and they cannot think of anything to do….
Insane world.
Actually I thought that drinking alcohol was punished by death in ksa?
wow thats frightening but does NOT surprise me. Im in Khobar too ad that stretch of street on the Corniche is VERY busy with like what, 6 lanes of traffic most times. I stayed home Xmas morning so I dont know how it was then…
But, what she should have done was as soon as she got out of the taxi gone straight into Tamimi and made a HUGE hysterical fit. Seriously… Go to the guards and scream and cry and wail and curse…they would have been…I think more shocked and more willing to do something faster!
I wish there had been some mutawwa in that grocery store at the time as they would have taught him a GOOD lesson
and def. in the future NEVER acknowledge dudes who do this! Your birdie egged him on!
I can’t agree with the hysterical fit idea. I think that only reinforces the false (in the rest of the world) idea that women are scared, hysterical and in need of protection. I have so many patients who wail and cry during essentially painless and really enjoyable and relaxing treatments, and who want their husbands there to hold their hands.. blech.. Women need to grow up, and men need to offer assistance when it’s needed instead of rushing to our aid when it’s not. I believe security helped me quickly and effectively when I asked for it, and they saw clearly there and at the police station that I wasn’t scared or in need of protection..that I simply wanted a criminal handled and that I had the guts to get it done.
shoulda taken his car though.. still kicking myself for that. lol. also should have gotten out of my car at the light at gone over and broken his nose like i so desperately wanted to (and could).
Andrea…as a girl that has indeed broken the nose of a Bahraini when he was acting like an ass…let me tell you….
Sweeeet!!!
Next time go for it.