Job Discussion Forums

[guru]

Are locals racist to teachers with a spouse of different race? How are teachers in the UAE in relation to acceptance of multi racial marriages? That is , for exapmle if a caucasian man has an asian wife is this acceptable or is their racism?

[Bindair Dundat]

I hate these g.d. stupid poll questions. If you really want to know something of this nature, why don't you do a serious study?

Or are you just trolling?

What is a "race" anyway? Don't you think it's time we moved beyond the concept of race?

BD

[guru]

my apologies dundat I assumed from all of the helpful advice from many of the people here that some would be helpful in telling it the way it is from an expat perspective. I aplogise that I am unable to come over to the UAE and conduct my own private research. Maybe I should just apply for a job, pack my bags and if people are racist toward my wife then I can gently tell my wife that dundat didn't want me to ask about racism first.

What is trolling? Is that what you do in the UAE?

"Move away from race!" Well it is a major issue here in Indonesia with locals. I've been told by one former collegue, who worked in Saudi Arabia that racism is rife there, in particular to expats who treat mixed race couples with disdain. Do I believe just one former collegue or ask around to expats who know the ropes.

How many English teachers born and bred in US or UK or Oz are caucasian and how many asian? Many native speakers don't get the job because of their race. It is an issue. I would rather people see others hearts rather than their skin. If I were faced with the prospect of cruel racism toward my wife I wouldn't take the job. Dundat would you subject your spouse to cruel treatment and humiliation? I want to find out first.

[Truth Hurts]

[Bindair Dundat]

[veiledsentiments]

Yes BD, I'm sure being married to you is punishment enough for any woman.

Guru,

Questions like this have been raised before, but using a poll like this is a bit tasteless in my opinion too - though I would not quite take BDs tack to criticize it. It would have been much more sensible to just ask the ME hands just how much of a problem living here would be for your wife.

In my years in the Gulf, I encountered almost every possible variation of mixed marriage between Westerners and Africans, Asians, Arabs, South Americans - pretty much you name it. And among the expat teachers, almost everyone was pretty open and accepting of it. It also seemed so in the greater expat community for the most part.

But, to ask 'is there racism?' seems a very naive question. Of course there is - where there are humans, there is racism. A more appropriate question would have been to ask the level and how it would affect your wife. Turth Hurts addressed this to a point when he mentioned that she will likely be thought a housemaid. Most maids and nannies in the Emirates are Asian, so she may be looked at as a servant by many. But, that is not usually a 'danger' - though perhaps assumptions may be made about her that she may feel are disrespectful or rude. There is no real danger to her as such, but Asian women should avoid being on the streets alone late at night as they may be considered prostitutes.

There is a large Asian community there. So, I don't think she would have a real difficult time unless she is one of those people who do not do well living outside of her own culture.

VS

[Bindair Dundat]

[Truth Hurts]

BD

Now will you please stop PMing me!! If you must know, it's really beginning to irk me now!

And you know, I really couldn't care less if your great grandfather happened to be half-black!


TH

[guru]

Thanks for the feedback. Ok , so people do not want to use the poll - no big deal; I've got enough positive feedback from the discussion. Poll or post, wording of the questions etc, whatever. I'm happy to get feedback from this forum and the UAE is looking very attractive as an option for my family.

Thanks