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1st Sgt Welsh

....but KSA and Kuwait are two of the worst:

http://edgardaily.com/en/life/2015/this-gcc-country-is-one-of-the-friendliest-in-the-world-29341

Any thoughts? Smile

gregory999 · Joined: 29 Jul 2015 Posts: 372 Location: 999

Simple!
Oman is a sultanate with one Sultan, whereas KSA is a kingdom with one King and around 15,000 living highnesses and royal highnesses! Laughing

Of course, the Sultanate is more open to foreigners, other religions, cultures, etc. Whereas the Magic Kingdom is still closed to other cultures, religions, and is governed by a complex system of tribalism. That's why Oman is more friendly than the Magic Kingdom.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

The religious sect in Oman tends to be more tolerant, even if this was not historically so, in fact it seems to be so currently.

Omanization may have been more effective than attempts in other places, for example Emiratization or Saudization.

Oman seems to favor maintaining and rebuilding historic sites, rather than tearing them down.

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

Oh Man OMAN....please also raise EFL teacher salaries for us.... WE are FRIENDLY too! Laughing

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

Well duh!

That's what I thought when I read the subject line to this thread.
In my (limited) experience abroad, Oman IS the friendliest country in the world.

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 9:18 am Post subject:

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

I would call the Omani's, in general, polite and respectful to Westerners....but certainly NOT the friendliest people, as a nation on the planet.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

The Ibadi sect of Islam makes up about 75% of the population in Oman. They are not Sunni, could explain a lot.

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

Perhaps, most importantly, within the context of the current dispute between Saudi and Iran-the Ibadi sect is notable for not seeing the need for a single leader or ruler for the entire Muslim worldwide community....could perhaps help explain the ease with which Oman is able to take a neutral stance and not get involved in these disputes.....?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:24 am Post subject:

Just in case anyone is interested:

https://www.facebook.com/sumri.net/videos/469565926537112/

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

Tazz- I believe you're right. Perhaps Canada could be called the friendliest country in the world right now:) Mine certainly couldn't...

I LOVE Oman. 1st Sergeant Welsh-- thanks for the video link.

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:31 pm Post subject:

ardiles81 · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 71

Yes, Omanis lovely. Great to work with and teach. A thoroughly lovely place if a tad dull.

The main obvious difference between them and their cousins in the er...'hood, is that they haven't had access to wheelbarrows full of free money; and, poor souls, they have had to mostly work for a living rather than have everything handed to them (preferably by some indentured labour / slave) on a guilded plate. Had geology favoured them more, they may well have turned out as pleasant to work with as some of their classy neighbours.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483