Job Discussion Forums

dr. caligari · Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 8:17 am Post subject: Israel

hi, everyone,

I'm new here. i've taught for a long time and am now beginning to gear myself for the middle east.

Just throwing my hat in the ring here. . . Is it possible, working in the stricter countries in the Middle East to, say, during a long weekend, head to a psytrance party in Israel?

dr. caligari

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

If your passport is stamped, you will likely lose your ability to come back and stay employed. And Israeli officials often stamp your passport even when you ask them not to... because they can... and have no qualms about getting you fired.

I had friends that went back and forth when they worked in Egypt. But that isn't really an option these days since one doesn't really want to work and live in Egypt at the moment.

VS

dr. caligari · Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 8:34 pm Post subject: Thanks

Thanks, veiledsentiments, for being so upfront. I was guessing. That's why I asked.

dr. caligari

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

That said... in some of the countries, it will likely hinge on current politics - both local and international. (ie... some have gotten away with it)

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Even without a stamp, if it is known that you are headed for Al Quds, you will be in Doodoo.

dr. caligari · Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 3:44 am Post subject:

Were I given the job of a lifetime, I would expect to treat it with the same seriousness that spec-ops fliers treat theirs. Even if it meant skipping Koh Phangan and Goa: the two places I always wanted to vacation when I lived in Asia but never made it to.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Huh?

Xie Lin · Joined: 21 Oct 2011 Posts: 731

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Xie Lin · Joined: 21 Oct 2011 Posts: 731

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

DLIguy · Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 1:27 pm Post subject:

I've seen much raving occur as people step off of planes from Saudi Arabia...

Xie Lin · Joined: 21 Oct 2011 Posts: 731

My reading of the OP's subsequent posts (and I have indeed read the whole thread) was not that s/he was asking about raves in Saudi Arabia, but whether employers in conservative countries would tolerate partying elsewhere over long weekends--of course, I may have been unduly influenced by the thread title. But, yes, even setting aside questions about the risk of spiked drinks and similar dangers, there does seem to be more than one line of inquiry going.

OP, it seems to me that sooner or later you will most likely have to choose between desirable employment and this kind of partying. Given the prevalence of cell phones with cameras, and the obsession of many with publicly documenting every breath they take, it is only a matter of time before photos of you partying end up floating around the internet, on someone's FB page or in their YouTube video. Not to mention the danger of being caught up in a mass arrest. And even though you yourself may not partake in any drug use, you will be seen in the same light as the company you keep; and in the eyes of conservative employers, tarnished by the same brush. Fifteen years ago you could probably have managed both; but I don't think that's possible today--at least not for very long.

.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

You can party in the Gulf, but it is not a wise thing to do, especially in KSA.
You can travel to Israel, but it is not a wise thing to do.
Dubai Urban Myth #24: Why do some British school kids come back from vacation shaved? Drugs can be detected in the hair, so best to dispose of the hair.