| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
|
 Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 4:27 am Post subject: |
 |
|
Hi WD40,
thanks for the info.
| WD40 wrote: |
| The food is wide nad varied - whatever your taste it is available. Local Saudi food is very nice. |
Can I just ask what would be a typical KSA dish? Something with rice? Camel meat? Swallowed down with liberal quantities of palm tree jiuce? LOL
One thing that's just occurred to me is the dress code when teaching or otherwise. Are there any no-nos? Things that cannot be worn at any time? Denim jeans? In the classroom, what would be a typical set of clothes? Shirt and tie always with dark trousers? Formal? Long or short sleeve shirts? Or doesn't it really matter? I've always thought of KSA as quite conservative so would be interested to know how much leeway westerners have in the clothing department both in and out of the classroom.
thanks again.
Balzac  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Neil McBeath
Joined: 01 Dec 2005
Posts: 277
Location: Saudi Arabia
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
BAE Systems will issue you with a company uniform on arrival in KSA. You get beige slacks, matching shirt, brown leather belt and a company tie. Some years ago, it was suggested that people might care to wear their own clothes, but that was at the height of the terrorist alert
If you want to, you can wear your own clothes, but if you're tavelling in to work on company transport, then it doesn't make much sense to do so, and the comany kit is perfectly adequate. You are, after all, woring in a military environment, teaching petrsonnel who are themselves in uniform, and so it's best not to look too casual.
Going back to an earlier thread, don't listen to criticism of the teaching materials. Compared to Target - the Sultan's Armed Forces General English Course (used in Oman) the RSAF English course is a work of inspired genius. It certainly beats trying to teach Headway or the old American Language Course. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
BAE and its predecessor (Airwork) have been at this business for 40 years so they should have got SOMETHING right !
Incompetennce would have to be truly incredible to have got it ALL wrong after the expenditure of so many millions. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Neil,
many thanks for the info:
| Neil McBeath wrote: |
| BAE Systems will issue you with a company uniform on arrival in KSA. You get beige slacks, matching shirt, brown leather belt and a company tie. Some years ago, it was suggested that people might care to wear their own clothes, but that was at the height of the terrorist alert |
The attire on offer sounds ok: makes me feel like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, crusing down the airbase looking like a regular Joe! (All I need is a decent set of cool shades and I'll completely look the part!! LOL) As far as I'm concerned, they can provide me with camiknickers, and I'll wear them as (a) they'll be washing it all, and (b) responsible for taking care of it in general. Less for me to do mehtinks! Can't be half bad.
| Neil McBeath wrote: |
| If you want to, you can wear your own clothes, but if you're tavelling in to work on company transport, then it doesn't make much sense to do so, and the comany kit is perfectly adequate. You are, after all, woring in a military environment, teaching petrsonnel who are themselves in uniform, and so it's best not to look too casual. |
yep, completely agree. Dont want to look out of place at all so that will work fine for me.
| Neil McBeath wrote: |
| Going back to an earlier thread, don't listen to criticism of the teaching materials. Compared to Target - the Sultan's Armed Forces General English Course (used in Oman) the RSAF English course is a work of inspired genius. It certainly beats trying to teach Headway or the old American Language Course. |
Yeah, I agree that there does seem to be a latent sense of negative feeling whenever BAE is mentioned, a certain antipathy that, for some, borders on a pathological hatred, or could that be plain, old fashioned, jealousy? 'Go figure' as the Yanks like to say! 
For me, the vast majority of people who've responded to this thred have been positive, and I thank you and all of them for that as I've really learnt a lot.
Thanks guys!! (and gals!)
Cheers
for all the info!
Balzac |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah scot47 (you old curmudgeon you!!),
I completely agree with you,
| scot47 wrote: |
BAE and its predecessor (Airwork) have been at this business for 40 years so they should have got SOMETHING right !
Incompetennce would have to be truly incredible to have got it ALL wrong after the expenditure of so many millions. |
Although, as we've been hearing in the news of late, some of that success has come by way of some very shady business practices aka giving some Saudia Prince an extremely 'Golden Handshake' or as Terry venables would have called it a golden 'bung'.
Still, who am to criticize the working of a country (the UK) heavily involved in the arms business! I've seen 'The Lord of War' and that's probably about as much as I need to or care to know when it comes to that topic!
cheers scot47!
Balzac  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| There is a lot to be said for a large tax-free salary - even if it means working for those people based in Preston. Personally I will stick to Civvy Street. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:33 am Post subject: Life in Dharan? |
|
|
OK,
Now that I've had the intreview in Preston for BAE, can anyone tell me what Dharan is like to live in? Are there any interesting places to vist, things to do etc? More than likely, I will be posted there so any information would be very welcome.
After such a long absence, it's weird to be back in the UK and the weather is pretty atrocious with lots of wind and rain and generally un-summer weather! Hopefully, it'll pick up soon and the sun will put in an appearance or two!
cheers
Balzac |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dhahran (or Khobar or Dammam) or nor exactly Funsville. Shopping is a big thing. The Corniche is nice. There is an ice rink ( located in the compound where 25 foreigners had their throats slit not so long ago.) Some people go to Bahrain for R+R ( usually booze and broads, in come cases booze and blokes).
Many BAE staff spend their non-working time in their reinforced bunkers complete with flak-jackets and tin helmets. Special facilities are provided to allow them to count their rapidly-accruing emoluments.
Last edited by scot47 on Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:06 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Van Norden
Joined: 23 Oct 2004
Posts: 409
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: Life in Dharan? |
|
|
| Balzac wrote: |
| Now that I've had the intreview in Preston for BAE, can anyone tell me what Dharan is like to live in? . . . More than likely, I will be posted there |
Does this mean congratulations are in order, Balzac? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Don't forget your Vera Lynn records, the speeches of Winnie and the complete works of Sir Hugh Trenchard. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Life in Dharan? |
|
|
| Van Norden wrote: |
| Does this mean congratulations are in order, Balzac? |
Never count your hatches till they�ve chickend!
Balzac |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| scot47 wrote: |
| Some people go to Bahrain for R+R ( usually booze and broads, in come cases booze and blokes). |
And some people go to Bahrain for S + S!
| Quote: |
| Many BAE staff spend their non-working time in their reinforced bunkers complete with flak-jackets and tin helmets. Special facilities are provided to allow them to count their rapidly-accruing emoluments. |
And some BAE staff spend their time working for uncle Bandar. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
And a point for Mr Balzac
It is BAE and not English Aerospace ! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject: Re: Life in Dharan? |
|
|
| Van Norden wrote: |
| Does this mean congratulations are in order, Balzac? |
Yes it does Mr. Van Norden and I'll be posting on my experiences there when I eventually arrive there early next year. I want to act as a counterpoint to those who spread gossip and misinformation about BAE never having worked there or had direct experience of it.
Watch this space
Balzac |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Balzac
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 266
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| scot47 wrote: |
And a point for Mr Balzac
It is BAE and not English Aerospace ! |
Wasn't aware this was a game Scot47 so no need to award points then eh? I am wondering why you have made a post 4 months after the last one and not explained it?
As the thread starter, I am confused so that means others will be too. Besides, it is largely irrelevant if someone makes a mistake, a spelling error, or semantic hic up so long as most people can envisage what they're trying to say right?
Let's give some people some leeway and not scare them away with comments that are derisory or designed to make ourselves look smart or oh so, so well-informed!
Scot47, you are undoubtedly one of the more astute and knowledgable posters here, but you often let yourself down with your pedantry.
Nuff said
Balzac |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
