Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

[stoth1972]

Egypt...good because the accent is widely known around the Arab world, bad because you won't know what people are saying to you in other parts of the Arab world! This is actually true no matter where you learn Arabic. Some might say that Jordanian or Lebanese Arabic would prove most useful, but my Jordanian Arabic teacher thinks differently. Egyptians generally speak more English that the khaleejis, and they're also willing to listen to you practice, so it's a nice combination. What I liked about Egypt compared to the UAE was the necessity forcing me into getting my feet wet with Arabic. In the UAE, as many have already commented, the people in the service industry will typically speak English better than Arabic. Hindi or Urdu will serve you better in a taxi, in the corner shop, etc.

I lived in the UAE for 3 years. It was not until my last year that I was invited to weddings, out to dinner with female students, etc. They were lovely women. They were friendly. We did not, however, chat on the phone, form deep bonds or the like. They had families and lives that didn't allow for a lot of socialising.

Agreed on the comment about women and men having different experiences in the ME. An American colleague of mine (male) had studied Arabic before coming to Dubai. He visited Syria, Palestine and Oman while living in the UAE. He returned with stories of how friendly they were...how men would invite him in for coffee when his car had a flat. He went on and on about these chance meetings with strangers who welcomed him off the street after he spoke a few workds in Arabic. I sat there, envious that my 5 years in 2 countries had not produced such exciting stories from the street. I made wonderful friends in EGypt (female) that I still retain to this day (I should mention that I married an Egyptian, too). I call 1 Emirati male a good friend, and claim many acquaintances. This was not for lack of language skills or for trying. I think it's just the nature of being a teacher in this countries. Oman might be more of an exception, than an example of the norm in Gulf nations.
We can all, however, attest to the drunk expat who moves to the Gulf seeking warm weather, and lots of other expats just like them.

[stoth1972]

Rin, I must agree with VS on religion. That's a dangerous path. My female students were, for the most part, lovely, but I would avoid debates about the faith. That could be easily used against you should things sour in the future.

[Cleopatra]

It's interesting, during my first year in Riyadh I did have occasional chats about religion with my students, sometimes in class. This, despite the fact that more experienced colleagues warned me repeatedly not to do so. I always thought they were being paranoid and overly-cautious, but they were not.

Now, I would do the same as VS and Stoth, and not discuss religion (or politics) with students at all, certainly not in class. It's just not worth the possible hassle, or even the worry over the possible hassle. I really do think that people become more, not less cautious the longer they stay in the Gulf countries, and I have heard other teachers say the same.

[omanized]

I used to think that my more experienced colleagues and friends were just paranoid about the dangers of discussing taboo subjects - then I realized that the locals really are out to get us if we cross the line !!

I don't think there is a need to avoid the subject of religion with a local friend or aquaintance - if you are planning to argue or challenge or use your subtle charms to woo a Muslim onto the right path then you are an idiot and probably deserve some hassle. Students, yes, but that is a professional ethic as much as anything else.

As mentioned by Rin, I too have had some great and interesting talks about Islam - initially to learn about how the average joe perceives his faith in action and then later to bring some of my own thoughts and questions to the subject and to see what others felt. I have had some people misinterpret my interest as asking for an invitation to Islam and even received several books with titles like " Cruci - fiction ? " or the Scientific Miracles of Islam ! Polite acceptance of the gift is enough to close the awkward situation.

I think common sense is the best advice - and again, it should be obvious that the subject would not be appropriate in the classroom.

BTW, someone please look up the correct definition and usage of the word 'patronizing' - it is being misused here and it's a bit embarrassing for an English teaching forum.

[dmb]

[Bebsi]

No, DMB, you are not allowed as such to enter the park. However, if you don an abaya with all the accessories, no one will know the difference, so you could have great fun indeed...but purely in an observer capacity.



Seriously, I would be inclined to avoid discussion of religion with students completely, as VS suggests. With fellow professional adults, however, I would feel comfortable enough asking questions, and describing my own religion, even discussing amicably the differences in practice, interpretations etc. However, I would never allow the conversation to develop into an argument, and NEVER, EVER say anything that could reasonably construed as offensive or critical in any way. Of course, some may find many things unreasonably offensive no matter what you say, but this is where discretion enters into the equation. And of course, care must be exercised in evaluating whom you are talking to.

Err on the side of caution, basically.

[Rin]

Since I'm no longer teaching I, of course, did not mean students. I meant other adult Qatari's that I have gotten the chance to know. Since I am not religious I ask them to expand on their own, which they don't seem to mind doing, nor do they seem to mind answering any of my stupid questions. Sometimes they even question me on the little I know about Christianity.

DMB, Hammam Park near Landmark is a women's only park.

[dmb]

[Rin]

No dmb, but I did spot Michael Jackson. Or at least a women wearing man's shoes under her abaya.

[Bebsi]

When I was in KSA I considered becoming a trannie, but then scrapped the idea as it seemed pointless.

OK, if you wanna be a closet TV, it's good but doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose?

Actually given my physical size, I don't think anonymity is something I could aspire to in an abaya!!!! Petite and feminine are not adjectives that one could readily apply to the Bebsi physique.

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

Don't be shy ... there are many less than petite and feminine abayas shuffling around the shopping malls ...

[Queen of Sheba]

[veiledsentiments]

We've come full circle here... back to my original recommendation that he look at Egypt first.

I still think it is the perfect choice for his credentials and goals.

VS

[cmp45]

I think with the OP's superb qualifications he should be able to find any job he desires. There are many universities and colleges in KSA experiencing teacher shortages this fall. Go ahead, take your pick and apply!

I think no matter which Arab country you choose you will discover some unique aspect to the culture and the language available to study. There will always be a few eager locals happy to assist you in your quest.

I lived in Abha, KSA for 3 years and have to say that I didn't go out of my way to meet locals or to study Islam. Having said that, I still got invites from locals to weddings, dinners at their homes and out to restaurants. I was even invited to the local Islamic center to discuss Islam (No intention of converting, but they didn't need to know that). I guess I have one of those truly magnetic personalities

However, I found it quite hard to truly discuss with locals any subject in depth; constantly having to be wary that I didn't say anything that may or may not be offensive. After awhile it becomes mentally exhausting having to be on ones' guard all the time in a conversation.

I now live in Riyadh and is true I have become one of those dreaded Tamimi-Jairir Expats. Only because I have too many projects on the go at home that demand my time; I no longer enjoy spending my time sitting in one of those overly trendy cafes with locals mindlessly chatting crap and never venturing beyond the veneer of a conversation; been there done that.

I also got fed up with locals always wanting to improve their English and never bothering to assist in improving my Arabic...most are not very good at teaching their own language to westerners in the first place!

But for the most part "it" is all out there and depends on how badly you want "it"...seek and you shall find...it may not turn out exactly as you envisioned, but therein lies the treasure of discovery.