Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

You seem to have some idea that men have changed since then? Yeah... right... It was the same when I was last there 5 years ago. The only major change was that the pollution was even worse.

VS

[stoth1972]

VS, will I hold DMB down while you take a few punches?

[veiledsentiments]

naaa... I'll get back at him when the novel comes out...

VS

[helmsman]

One thing I find very interesting is that two seemingly similar women can have a very different experience in terms of harassment in the Gulf. It seems that human beings have an intuitive ability to sense who is new and who is afraid. Those who are new to the culture and don't know the norms and those who give the impression that they are a push-over will inevitably get harassed.

I know a woman whose attitude is that she will make a commotion if anyone hassles them, whatever their nationality or status and she gives out this message with her body language and tone of voice. Fortunately, as someone mentioned earlier the Gulf is a very safe place and, in theory, women are to be respected, so if a complaint is made to the authorities it will probably be followed up on. The previously mentioned woman's friends sometimes get harassed, though their appearance and status are similar - so the reason could be that they are not sending out these signals. The key, though, is not to appear so icy that the "good" people will not want to deal with you.

I would say that for any teacher working abroad, but especially women, a huge amount of courage and inner strength is required. As for myself, 15+ years dealing with alien cultures has definitely made me a stronger person than I would have been if I had stayed back in my home country.

One fact I belive is very sad about the Gulf is that if you are from a developing country you will probably be subject to a lot more abuse than those who are from wealthy countries. It is interesting that people's attitudes change when people find out someone has a US,UK, etc passport, which is actually quite cowardly.

[dmb]

Can I have the punches. The pain is more short-lived.

[007]

[stoth1972]

[veiledsentiments]

[stoth1972]

I usually sell a few autographs, take a few pics. I try to do my part.

[wknjugun]

Do any expat women teachers go under the veil in order to become more anonymous to the cat calls and car horns? Just a thought.

[stoth1972]

The only time I would ever cover my hair was if I was in a place of worship, or perhaps left the house w/ wet hair (a sign in Egypt that you've clearly just been fornicating). Other than that, no. I'm sure someone might tell you they visited a family in a village and thought it was respectful, but for me personally, no. A foreigner veiled can often grab more attention from men...the reason is beyond my comprehension, but some veiled converts to Islam complain men speak to them in public more, not less.

[veiledsentiments]

I agree with Stoth... Other than in Saudi where it is expected that all women wear an abaya and cover their hair - and in most mosques - I wouldn't suggest that women cover. Personally I found the catcalls and comments easily ignorable... treating them with the disdain they deserve.

It is immediately obvious to them which women wear the veil naturally and which are doing it as fancy dress. It doesn't surprise me that it draws more attention rather than less.

VS

[dmb]

[007]

[bje]