Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There are lots of strange people in Saudi Arabia now. I am sure there is room for one more.

We should rejoice in human diversity - and embrace the nutters in our midst.

zaylahis · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 59

I am afraid I have to agree with all the advice given although I have never taught in KSA. I have however been there for religious purposes.

Let me just say that even in the Holy Mosques, the Arab ladies would surround themselves with their African or Indonesian maids so that they would not have to sit next to an Asian, or anyone not from KSA.

The only friendly arab ladies tend to be from any other Arab country EXCEPT KSA.

They are a strange people although I am sure there are exceptions but then these "exceptions" would most probably be studying or working abroad. I think you would need a lot of patience to be working there and I have great respect for anyone who can survive KSA.

Personally, I am always glad to get out of that country once my religious duties have been performed....and the longest I have been there is a mere six weeks!

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:28 am Post subject:

Am travelling right now but couldn't resist throwing in my two halalas worth to agree with VS here.Susan, you seem clueless about KSA, and that's OK - most people are when they come here (many people remain so years after coming here). However, the problem is that you seem to think you know about KSA, when it is so obvious to all that you do not. At least be prepared to have your preconceptions challenged, or stay at home.

007 · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject: Re: Gifts for collegues

miski2 · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 52 Location: Kuwait

Susan I think you should relax and take a chill pill. If you are so uptight about going to Saudi then I suggest tenerife or Greece might be a little more calming .......when those dishdashas get hoisted and the legs start running, will you be able to get away fast enough in your oppressive abaya?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Ah Susan, the Witless Wonder just wants to join us cool dudes in the K of SA. Give her a break dudes and dudettes. You too 007 !

brasscat · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:05 pm Post subject: Camel Ride

It is the first camel ride that seperates the dudes from the old hands.

One learns fast why you always hold onto the back of the saddle.

I had my first experience in being camel-pulted and found out the sand wasn't that soft.

brasscat

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I managed to spend over 15 years in the Middle East and never once got on a camel. Laughing

Give me a horse...

VS

brasscat · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:04 pm Post subject: Camels Are Cute

The camel is one very versitle critter. Where else can you ride a furred taxi in the morning, and eat it for dinner. Next day you can sit on the taxi uplostery and have tea.

Have you ever seen a camel display its red throat bladder?

I did have one try to eat my camera while I was looking the other way.
brasscat

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Bob Gorn is right, of course, Saudi is indeed different. It is not bad (although I acknowledge that some posters here such as The Prodiigy have had pretty miserable experiences there) but it is different, and you need to be prepared. You SusanWW, are evidently not.

I agree with Cleo that there's nothing wrong with coming to KSA knowing nothing about the place, as long as one acknowledges one's ignorance.

Susan, you know nothing about Saudi but tragically for yourself, you think you know it all. I generally don't like to personally criticise people on this forum, but your ignorance in this case...not to mention your arrogance...is truly astounding. As another poster said, you are typical of a certain type of person who posts here, in that you ask for advice but when it's not to your liking you decide not only to ignore it but you get all indignant too. You are tragically naieve, and your naivete is made infinitely worse by the very arrogance that characterizes you, a natural abrasivesness that will, I suspect, prove painful for you and lead you to have many unpleasant experiences. You asked here for advice and got it but when it was contrary to your expectations, you not only chose to ignore it but to become rather dismissive of, and condescending to those who offered such advice.

Being academically qualified for a job in KSA has nothing to do with being qualified and prepared in personal terms for life in the kingdom. Speaking of which, are you a native speaker of English? I would seriously question your command of the language and your ability to use it appropriately, never mind teach it.

Bob Gorn · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject:

Perhaps we could suggest a required reading list for "naive" posters like poor Susan. Maybe she would take the word of an expert over "has beens" like us.

She should read Saudi Arabia Exposed (can't recall the author's name) for recent info on the Kingdom and The Nine Parts of Desire (no author's name again) regarding views of sexuality in that part of the world. Also, books by Fatima Mernissi, while dated, are good on understanding the role of women and the relationships between men and women in the Arab Muslim world.

I know that SusanWW has said that she is a Muslim, so it seems rather presumptuous to prescribe books on Islamic culture. However, Muslims from non-Arab nations can go through quite a bit of culture shock in KSA, too, just like the non-believers.

An analysis of her English (particularly the lack of articles and misuse of determiners) leads me to think that perhaps she is from a Muslim area of the former Soviet Union. Just a guess. In my book, that certainly doesn't disqualify her from teaching EFL. Personally, I'd rather be taught by a well-trained non-native speaker than a poorly-trained native speaker any day.

Anyway, her religion may be the same, but the culture in KSA is going to be a shock for her. Assuming she's going to go against our advice, how can we help her become more prepared? Any other reading recommendations? She's going to be somebody's co-worker, so how can we stop this train wreck?