Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

A lot of people who should never get into this game, end up teaching in the M.E.

Some of them seem to post on Dave's.

No names no pack drill !

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2003 4:45 am Post subject:

There's a kind of "nature versus nurture" debate on among many expat acquaintances of mine here in KSA.

That is: Are the people who come here mad to start with, or does life here make them so? Personally, I reckon it's usually a bit of both. Having said that, while this place certainly has more than its fair share of loons, most of the people I've met here are dull rather than crazy. Not sure which is worse.

Any tips as to how one can stay sane in this place?

PS Scot, I second your point about not wanting to 'convert' the Arabs to 'our way of life'. Come here with a mind to changing things, and you are doomed to disappointment, at the very least.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Staying sane in Saudi ? Well it helps if you have some sanity when you come. Retaining it ? Or some of it ?

Well you need some kind of social life. Better if it does not revolve around booze. Some play Bridge. Some do Amateur Dramatics.

Some do the Hash which for me has too much booze and is too redolent of an English Public (ie private) School.

I go out for a meal with a group of friends once a week. I use the web, including this site.

Avoid the Crazies. Have some short-term and medium-term goals. Not just "GO TO SAUDI AND GET LOTS OF MONEY!", but something more concrete.

Currently i have two. One is to pay for some repairs on my house back in Europe. The other is to save enough for a new car.