Biggest Mistakes to Avoid in Medina
today i dragged my soul into medina just to find out how badly i fucked up my first week there. the air was thick with the scent of incense and cardamom, and my head was spinning from the chaos of locals bartering at the souk. let me tell you, not everyone there speaks perfect arabic, so assuming you won’t have trouble is a huge mistake. let’s dive into some of the biggest blunders people make when they first settle there.
Q: do i have to memorize arabic to survive in medina?
A: not exactly, but knowing basic phrases will save you from awkward situations. when i tried to get help at the pharmacy just saying ‘i need this medicine’ was a disaster. locals shrugged, but when i made a simple apology and said ‘j’espère que ça va bien’ (hope it goes well), the pharmacist smiled and sorted it out. when arriving, learn that direct eye contact is rare, and it’s polite to greet people with a firm handshake and a smile, even if it feels awkward at first.
Q: what’s the most common tourist faux pas?
A: that’s definitely overstepping in insecure areas. during my first night, i wandered into a less-traveled part of the old city, ignoring street signs. unexpectedly, a group of locals slowed down, and i panicked. locals warned me that this is common-they don’t like strangers lurking in quiet zones after dark. always stay in well-visited areas after sunset and ask a local for a safe place to stay early if you’re new to the city.
Q: how do i avoid drowning in the job market?
A: many visitors ignore the role of local universities like Imam Abdulrahman University for networking. my friend approached students there for internships and landed a part-time job. always visit student centers and engineering colleges when recruiting-it saves months of unemployment.
Q: do i have to wear ancient clothing everywhere?
A: that’s a no-go. while modesty is respected, loincloths are outdated, and my attempt at a ‘traditional’ outfit almost got me laughed at. dress like you want to blend in-clean jeans are perfect, as long as shoulders are covered. show respect by avoiding revealing clothes, especially at religious sites.
Q: which app is lifesaver for navigating medina?
A: google maps is indispensable. i navigated the densely packed Ibn Zayd al-Haybani district using it because the names of streets change constantly, and street signs are faded. the tram line connecting Evergreen City to the old city is key-avoid getting lost on road-trip days.
Q: the material: how does work fit?
most residents work in banking, IT, and engineering. i met 4 expats and 5 locals who work remotely during the day-work is hugely flexible. wear layers, invest in good earrings, and use auto-reply when you’re asleep-wake up refreshed. learn basic metro greetings and keep water bottles handy-water cost a lot there.
Q: do i have to pay my bathroom when the hostel changes towels?
A: this is a myth. i stayed at two hostels that changed towels daily for free with a visit-no extra charge. always mention this when booking.
Q: where’s the best place for vegan food?
A: assistant cook shop near madinah railway station-10/10 food, 600sgh price tag. umami dumplings are heaven.
Q: what’s the most common local complaint?
A: littering is frowned upon-more than rubbish parking on private property.
Q: how much do groceries cost?
A: eggs are possibly the cheapest-50sgh but supply is risky-it’s better to buy almonds and crayons. dates cost 11sgh each. i buy everything. i learned that cash less the girls in orange and brown that want to converse-they make coffee and text-i either agree to a date or not. Approach kids in orange-when greeted i always say hi and don’t move on without a smile-i’ll save you weeks of plant life at home.
Q: which time of the year do they work on the terraces?
A: early morning and every time i walk past you will be there-the earliest i saw him asleep at 3am and i couldn’t believe how quickly he was snoozing.
