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fledex
Joined: 05 Jun 2011
Posts: 342
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 Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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Good god, there's a certificate in the Science of Happiness offered at Berkeley. Goes right along with USC's new degree in "Disruption." Only in California, I guess (or I hope). |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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Spend your holiday in KSA. Read a book. Watch some TV. Go for a tea somewhere. Chill out, sister ! Keep shovelling those Riyals into the bank ! Save - don't spend !
Shooting off to some exotic holiday destination is for the uncool ! |
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awardtour
Joined: 19 Sep 2014
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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| lcanupp1964 wrote: |
I’m starting to feel that I can no longer afford to be a criticizing everything that I can’t change. Rather, I want to start embracing those things I can influence because I’m now seeing the positive side. If I don’t start doing this, I will burn out. Cutting things down just for the sake of bitching only makes for a “good read” on sites like this. I will leave that waste of energy for teachers over here in their 30’s with large chips on their delicate shoulders, or very blunt axes to grind. Those charming and inspiring teachers can risk fighting the good flight by chirping the famous war chant of the young, “It is not the point, it is the principle, damn it”.
The soapbox that is required over here to stand on and shout from is quite heavy. I left mine at home to use when I visit my father.
Maybe slave-like feelings crop up more if one feels they are being taken advantage of, or are feeling compromised regarding their principles. I’m lucky; I feel neither.
There are millions of people that live paycheck-to-paycheck - if they even have a job. Winter is coming and I think about how many people back home may have to make tough choices. Choices like, "do I pay the gas bill for the heater, or do I make my car payment that is already 59 days late?” Speaking of choices, anybody that is not happy over here can go home. The chains one may feel might be deeper issues that bind you and hold you back/down. Perhaps those chains are really just a fast food chain in your future. I hear KFC is always looking for shift leaders to work the third shift in Cleveland. |
I hadn't realized that the USA was a third world country. Could you bow and scrape anymore? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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| The underclass and the low paid in the West are in the 3rd World. There can be no doubt of that |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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That doesn't meet my definition of "bowing and scraping" as there is no expounding on his fabulous job and employer... but merely a decision to cope. The two bucket thing...
VS |
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ESL104
Joined: 27 Sep 2014
Posts: 108
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| TEFLing in Saudi sure beats shelf-stacking in a supermarket ! |
Lol, does it hell.
I'm in Thailand, and I make $19k USD a year right now, working 8-5pm. So my wages are pretty crap in a global sense.
I wouldn't go to Saudi Arabia unless I got paid at least $100k USD (and my quals are nothing amazing, just a BA and online TEFL). Even then I'd probably say no. $150k USD I'd make the move for a couple of years.
A shelf stacker in the West can enjoy things like going to the pub with his mates, freedom of speech, contact with the opposite sex, going to nightclubs, not been surrounded by ZOMG MOHAMMED ALLAH crazies every day, and apparently, been able to use his vacation time to go wherever he pleases.
I really don't understand who the hell takes these $45k USD jobs. And they want an MA too, lol. $45k should be basic high school, never-finished-college type pay, and even that would probably be too low to tolerate Saudi Arabia. I mean there's always the option of going on the dole which would still be preferable to working for $45k in that shithole. Someone with an MA should be commanding a high six figure salary even without prior experience, since you're essentally selling a year (or more) of your life. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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So you did not enjoy your time with the Contractor ?
(What is ZOMG ?)
Life in UKANIA on a zero hours contract stacking shelves or on the dole is no fun. Believe me ! |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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| ESL104 wrote: |
I wouldn't go to Saudi Arabia unless I got paid at least $100k USD (and my quals are nothing amazing, just a BA and online TEFL).
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Who knows maybe you could get that kind of money. There's no telling what goes through the mind of a Saudi when he sets an ESL Teachers salary. From my dealings with Saudis I think there's a predatory element to it. That would sort of fit together with the way they treat the Bangladeshis and Pakistanis and all the other expats here. |
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ESL104
Joined: 27 Sep 2014
Posts: 108
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
So you did not enjoy your time with the Contractor ?
(What is ZOMG ?)
Life in UKANIA on a zero hours contract stacking shelves or on the dole is no fun. Believe me ! |
ZOMG is just a more extreme way of saying OMG (oh my god!).
Life in Saudi Arabia is no fun either. At least the guy stacking shelves gets to have fun at the weekend when his shift is over. What's there to do in Saudi Arabia other than stare at your 4 walls and cross another day off in the calander, dreaming about a place where you could actually have a beer and get laid...
Essentially the contract is just an agreement saying 'I will give up x number of years of my life in return for y money'. In pretty much every other country on the planet, there's the option to lead a fulfilling and rewarding life outside work - not in the tragic kingdom!
I still shake my head at the ludicrousness of wanting MA holders for $45k. That's what, a slightly above average salary in the West? But you've got to live in Saudi frickin' Arabia. Who the heck takes these jobs?
100% sure I'd rather be on the dole in the UK than in Saudi on $45k. And it's not even close. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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Ah well, if fornication and drunkenness are your priorities..............................................
You won't be doing much of either on the £10 a day you get in benefits ! |
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ESL104
Joined: 27 Sep 2014
Posts: 108
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 3:24 am Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
Ah well, if fornication and drunkenness are your priorities..............................................
You won't be doing much of either on the £10 a day you get in benefits ! |
Only on a Saudi Arabia forum would a desire to have a few drinks at the weekend and get laid be derided as 'drunkeness and fornication'. Those are basic things that almost everyone wants to do in civilised and decent countries. But yeah, if you insist on using those terms, been able to have sex and go out for drinks is a 'priority'. Doubt you'll find many well-adjusted people who disagree.
You might not be living the high life on a minimum wage job in the UK but it's still a whole lot better than Saudi TEFL, which is what the comparison was against initially.
$45k doesn't really impress anyone really, it's not an amazing salary by any means. Certainly not if it requires one to live in Saudi Arabia! And needs an MA too, lol. For comparison, the average wage in the UK is around $40,000 USD. After taxes you get around $11000 more in Saudi.
Is a year of your life really only worth an $11,000 premium???
I reinterate - anyone working in that dustbowl for less than a six figure salary is getting absolutely screwed. |
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MixtecaMike
Joined: 19 Nov 2003
Posts: 643
Location: Guatebad
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 4:01 am Post subject: |
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| ESL104 wrote: |
... But yeah, if you insist on using those terms, been able to have sex and go out for drinks is a 'priority'. ...
I reinterate - anyone working in that dustbowl for less than a six figure salary is getting absolutely screwed. |
Well that covers half of your requirements, then. |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 6:19 am Post subject: |
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| ESL104 wrote: |
| scot47 wrote: |
Ah well, if fornication and drunkenness are your priorities..............................................
You won't be doing much of either on the £10 a day you get in benefits ! |
Only on a Saudi Arabia forum would a desire to have a few drinks at the weekend and get laid be derided as 'drunkeness and fornication'. Those are basic things that almost everyone wants to do in civilised and decent countries. But yeah, if you insist on using those terms, been able to have sex and go out for drinks is a 'priority'. Doubt you'll find many well-adjusted people who disagree.
You might not be living the high life on a minimum wage job in the UK but it's still a whole lot better than Saudi TEFL, which is what the comparison was against initially.
$45k doesn't really impress anyone really, it's not an amazing salary by any means. Certainly not if it requires one to live in Saudi Arabia! And needs an MA too, lol. For comparison, the average wage in the UK is around $40,000 USD. After taxes you get around $11000 more in Saudi.
Is a year of your life really only worth an $11,000 premium???
I reinterate - anyone working in that dustbowl for less than a six figure salary is getting absolutely screwed. |
You forgot to factor in free accommodation and travel expenses which are part of most employment packages...but I am sure you will find a way to put a negative slant on that too......you keep on enjoying your wonderful life and I will enjoy mine in the magical kingdom... sour grapes anyone??? |
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ESL104
Joined: 27 Sep 2014
Posts: 108
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 7:52 am Post subject: |
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| cmp45 wrote: |
| ESL104 wrote: |
| scot47 wrote: |
Ah well, if fornication and drunkenness are your priorities..............................................
You won't be doing much of either on the £10 a day you get in benefits ! |
Only on a Saudi Arabia forum would a desire to have a few drinks at the weekend and get laid be derided as 'drunkeness and fornication'. Those are basic things that almost everyone wants to do in civilised and decent countries. But yeah, if you insist on using those terms, been able to have sex and go out for drinks is a 'priority'. Doubt you'll find many well-adjusted people who disagree.
You might not be living the high life on a minimum wage job in the UK but it's still a whole lot better than Saudi TEFL, which is what the comparison was against initially.
$45k doesn't really impress anyone really, it's not an amazing salary by any means. Certainly not if it requires one to live in Saudi Arabia! And needs an MA too, lol. For comparison, the average wage in the UK is around $40,000 USD. After taxes you get around $11000 more in Saudi.
Is a year of your life really only worth an $11,000 premium???
I reinterate - anyone working in that dustbowl for less than a six figure salary is getting absolutely screwed. |
You forgot to factor in free accommodation and travel expenses which are part of most employment packages...but I am sure you will find a way to put a negative slant on that too......you keep on enjoying your wonderful life and I will enjoy mine in the magical kingdom... sour grapes anyone??? |
Free accomodation...in Saudi Arabia.
Travel expenses...to Saudi Arabia.
Why oh why would you subject yourself to this for $45k?
To compare - it takes the same amount of time to do an MA TESOL as it does to do a PGCE (which would allow one to work in an international school). The international school pays about $6k less on average, but still provides housing. And you won't have to live in Saudi Arabia! You could be somewhere far nicer where you're actually allowed a beer, a girlfriend, and the OMG ALLAH AND MOHAMMED ARE GREAT AND I'LL KILL YOU IF YOU DISAGREE crazies don't populate the streets. Places like Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, China, etc.
$45k for this is crazy. Even $80k would be laughable. And to think people actually bother to upgrade their qualifications to get the, um, 'opportunity' to work in Saudi.
Rather be sweeping the streets back home tbh. |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 8:26 am Post subject: |
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Your notion of what constitutes a happy life seems rather narrow.
Perhaps try to open your mind a little more and try to understand that people (ESL teachers) are a very diverse group. Not everyone shares your narrow biased viewpoint...if you are happy where you are that's great, but why this need to put down other's choices...this only makes you appear narrow minded. |
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