Job Discussion Forums

[toteach]

I'm in Oman now, visiting western friends over my Chinese New Year holiday. On the surface, it appears very friendly...women drive, we're greeted by Omanis (offered rides even!). But what's the deal with no "live" music?! I must admit that I didn't do any research on the ME before coming, so this was a surprise. Also I find it curious that Omani women and men don't seem to be in the same place at the same time, aside from a few families on the beach. Even the school buses I've seen contain only one gender... What about classes? Are women and men (girls and boys) taught in co-ed classrooms? Also, are there any gyms for women? I've seen only one gym, presumably for men, around the Marbela/Seeb area. What do Omani women do for exercise? Do public swimming pools exist in the Muscat area? TIA, Oman experts!

[madrileno]

[nomad soul]

It's odd that your friends, residents of Oman, can't answer your questions about the culture and women's gyms. Anyway, for gym info in your area, do an Internet search on women gym Muscat.

[Whatever will be]

@ to teach

Usually, only ex-pat women get rides offered by Omani guys as the latter are trying to pick a female (any female) up. Once you're in the car, you're practically agreeing to sex - either straight away or at a later point, if more convenient (IMHO).

There is a public (Olympic size/ 25 m) swimming and diving pool at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex but it can be a fair drive, depending on where you live. The preferred option would be to get a membership for the gym and swimming pool at one of the hotels. The more up-market hotels (like the Chedi, Grand Hyatt) are more expensive than cheaper hotels (Park Inn, Radisson Blue). Since tourists use them they are clean, safe (lots of "policing" staff to keep the riffraff out) and have additional services available (massages, food, drinks).

There is some live music at Route 66 (Qurum Beach Hotel) and Trader's Vic (Intercontinental Hotel) but not all nights. There also seems to be a live band at Feeney's (Al Qurum) once a week (Wednesdays?) but I have not been myself - only heard about it. These things change rather quickly and often for no apparent reason so it's difficult to stay on top of it.

Special events (such as the recent Valentine's Day) sees a flurry of activities and life events/music in a bit to lure in customers at inflated prices.

I'm guessing that St Patrick Day (in the middle of March) may have the Irish Pubs (O'Malleys, Feeney's) put on live music/special nights to celebrate.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

This has the potential to be an interesting thread .

[Sleepwalker]

There is also live Arabic music - I live near a place where musicians play outside in cooler weather and the music is often recorded for radio. Sometimes they have singers - it's very restful to sit in the garden and listen.

[toteach]

[omanoman]

Well, there are stories and rumors and exaggerated fears and some truth to the threat of being mildly harassed as a women who accepts a ride in a car with a single man. Some street smarts help - If it looks a bit dodgy, then it might be.

but otherwise, whatever will be's comment is asinine and typical of a weary, mid to longer term western expat who thinks they have got the lay of the land and all of its secrets. An assumption of western superiority, some xenophobic arrogance tossed in and a desire to disparage the people and places that are host to him.

Those are the kinds of men you want to avoid here, IMHO.

[Whatever will be]

@ omanoman

As a non-Arab female living in this country I experience daily sexual harassment while minding my own business. And no, I don't dress in revealing/ sexy clothes. And no, I don't wear make up.
And no, I am not the exception. I am the rule.

Yes, I do get into cars with Omani men, these are called taxis.

It should be safe form of transportation but isn't. Since there are no female taxi drivers available nor any other form of public transportation, what choice do we have apart from baiza buses, which is more or less the same deal.

The "free ride" story is another ugly matter.

Yes, I can always leave Oman if I don't like it. Believe me, I am working on that!

[Tazz]

In this society Omani females are basically accompanied throughout their lives-they have no freedom of movement away from male family members. Before marriage they must be escorted everywhere with male family members.After an 'arranged' marriage they become property and responsibility of the husband...if I were a western female I would feel very vulnerable and insecure living here, or even travelling around here alone. Within such a repressed, and repressive environment -even being a 'single female'-and by that I mean walking alone, eating alone-could be seen as an act of arousal by the local males. After all, couldn't the situation of being unaccompanied be interpreted as being 'available'.

[MuscatGary]

[Tazz]

You are a mine of knowledge and info MuscatGary, but I find the idea of Omani ladies roaring down the boozer unaccompanied after work and necking pints of Heinekin a little incredible! Any photographic evidence....?

[MuscatGary]

[Whatever will be]

@ MuscatGarry

You know (of) some interesting people and places - love to hang out with you one day/evening or night

[MuscatGary]