Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

Great post Stephen, not only did I get a good laugh, but it was refreshing to hear that the local does not always win in the accident stakes. In all my years in the Gulf, I only had dealings with the police twice. Once was a small fender bender where an Egyptian ran into me head on while I was stopped. He tried to take advantage of my lack of Arabic by saying that it was my fault, but then an officer speaking more English arrived and finally understood that I was parked, thereby making it difficult to have been my fault as I was also on my own side of the road. Of course, Egyptians tend to be down in the pecking order from a westerner - even a mere woman.

The other time I was stopped for not wearing a seatbelt. The law had just gone into effect, but I was just out of the hospital after major abdominal surgery (my first drive into town to shop) and the seatbelt was uncomfortable to wear. The officer that stopped me didn't know a word of English and once we got through the standard 5 minute greeting concerning the health of our entire tribe, I had no idea what he was telling me. They take your driving license and give you a piece of paper to bring to the police station to pay your fine and get it back. A few days later I arrived at the Seeb police station with cash and my hospital papers hoping that I could talk my way out of the fine. I was directed to go and talk to the Officer in charge. Fortunately his English was very good. I explained to him the situation and showed him my hospital papers. He handed them back and said that he didn't understand them. So, I suggested that I could show him the incision - said with great sincerity as I started to lift my top. The poor thing was of an age to be my son and the look of fear that passed over his face was actually worth the price of any fine. But, he just sputtered and stuttered and declared that this time I would not be fined, but to please wear my seatbelt from now on as he rushed me quickly out the door of his office.

I was at that time struck by the paternalistic approach of making the person go and be lectured to by the Officer - slap on the wrist, so to speak. In the US, you just mail them the check.

VS

[manonatrain]

i mean they ran me a bit, like 15 meters for speeding, but it was
nite and i didn�t stop. I thought i let them be really obvious, then
pull up next to me..then i will stop.

forgot my license in my other jeans....didn�t want to chance an unfriendly
cop.

[ohman]

Ease up on manonatrain folks. Either he's right, and we owe him. Or he's not, in which case we should try to understand his comments. I don't think he is right at all about Veiled Sentiments being a spy. However, old Khaleej hands know too well how some job postings come with a working environment where sniping, sabotage and espionage are sporting events.

Perhaps his dung bucket has filled up before his cash bucket. Anyone care to weigh in on what one is to do when this happens?

When is a runner justified?