Job Discussion Forums

[buravirgil]

[plumpy nut]

[johnslat]

What if I told you that accusing others of implying their superiority and oneupmanship in every thread is really implying your superiority and oneupmanship?

Regards,
Morpheus

[hash]

Why and Why Not?
============

No doubt most Western teachers come to KSA for the money – initially. But that doesn’t explain why they stay beyond a couple of contracts….4 years or more.

I contend that most people who remain in KSA over 4 years do so simply because jobs in KSA are simple (one might say simple-minded), and with no responsibilities. After all, you’re a foreigner….what do you know?

No one's going to hold you accountable for anything, no matter what.

Most Westerners eventually learn that you can get away with just about anything in KSA. For example, when driving, I routinely throw garbage out of my car window after I finish chomping down a burger. Right in front of everyone with cars ahead and behind me, no problem. Without even thinking about it. What luxury! Can you imagine if I tried that in Thousand Oaks, California? (My favorite piece of trash is banana peels...they have a certain aerodynamic quality to them that makes hurling them thru the air a lot of fun - kind of like a one-way boomerang).

If I’m feeling particularly dumpy on some days, I will shout at and berate not only my driver and other third-world nationals I come in contact with, but also my students who will bear the brunt of my mood throughout the day. In the US, I’d be put on “administrative leave” – at least - and probably be referred to an “anger management consultant” for “resolution” of my “problems”. Here, no one says a thing.

KSA and similar places are huge magnets for the “disillusioned” and the marginalized in our societies. That is to say, the losers.

Here, they can thrive since there’s no one to challenge them in their ways. You can go around dressed like an escaped convict and no one will say a word. You can be "sick" for days, weeks, months in a hospital and everyone'll "feel sorry for you".

You can walk around wearing a dunce-cap and everyone, including your students, will think it's "interesting" and most likely a new way to "teach" you've come up with. Back home, you'd be immediately ostracized, condemned. mocked and ridiculed. Here, you’re “accepted”.

And so on….I could go on forever. Long time Gulf residents know what I’m talking about and most likely agree with me. Newer residents have yet to savor the true freedoms one can find in KSA. Viva KSA.

[johnslat]

Lord, I really hope that isn't most or all projection, hash. How long did you or have you stayed there?

Is that what happened to you?

If not, how many "Westerners" are you basing this generalization upon? 5, 10, 20, 100?

Regards,
John

[Hatcher]

During my time in Saudi, I found that at most 5% were happy there. One reason I went was to travel the region. Due to conflicts, I didnt see much.

Most of our staff couldnt wait for vacation, even the Jordanians.

As for big money and privates, I didnt find it easy to find them.

Some of the American guys working for a big defense contractor were chasing local gals. It can be done but risky. The prettiest lady in all of Saudi worked as a nurse in our hospital but the men agreed that meeting her could cause major problems for her and her family - likely. Why the guys didnt wait til vacation for the entertainment was something I though you accept before you go.

[sicklyman]

[PC Parrot]

[johnslat]

I think it's wonderfully honest of posters such as hash and PC Parrot to admit publicly that they behaved as badly as they described in Saudi Arabia.

Regards,
John