Non-Native Speakers in Riyadh
English is common among the younger generation, which makes a visit easier. The inhabitants of Riyadh are often multilingual and young people often study at Western universities. For the so-called expats, this depends mainly on their occupation. Engineers, middle management company employees, salespeople in the more upscale stores in the malls usually speak enough English to get by for everyday conversation. However, this is usually not the case with salespeople in smaller neighbourhood stores or craft stores. But somehow, surprisingly, you usually get by.
Language and Taxi Drivers
Cab drivers usually do not speak enough English. The “language communication” with the cab driver usually takes place in such a way that you enter the destination in the map app of the driver’s smart phone and he drives with this navigation aid; that works surprisingly smoothly.
