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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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 Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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I believe Northern Ireland (Norn Iron) is about the same size as Delaware.[/quote |
Two mini-statelets! Is that not cute? |
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balqis
Joined: 30 Jul 2006
Posts: 373
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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1. ''Spelling bee'' is a popular spelling game in many UK ESL books, you like it or not.
2. Lattegirl, don't worry about ''the silent way''; no one uses it just because it doesn't work; or uses it say 7% of his/her class style;
my advice: be method-eclectic and simply responsive to your sts in class; you will be method-twisted all over in class so be method-bendy;
I like Saudi sts pretty quite a lot...;
Good luck,
balqis |
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cam
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 124
Location: Maine, USA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks Cam that made me feel better. Is your friend happy at Al Yamamah? |
My friend is staying on for another year so I assume he is happy there. He seems to be someone who would be capable of getting a job somewhere else if needed. The problem with Al Yamamah is long days and a shorter vacation than most other colleges or universities in KSA. |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Cleopatra wrote: |
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| What rights do Americans have in the magic kingdom? |
The same as other expats. |
In theory, yes. But in practice, Americans have the most rights among all the expats in this country. And in many possible situations, even more rights than the locals. This applies mostly in 2 spheres: workers' rights, and "vices."
For example, it is far less likely for an American to be held here against his will, or to not be paid, or to be fired without reason, etc, than any Asian, African, South American, or Eastern European. Even compared to Canadians, Western Europeans, and Australians/New Zealanders, those things are slightly less likely to happen to an American.
In terms of "vices", an American caught with alcohol would simply be deported. Most Asians or Africans would be lashed, and then deported. A white couple walking together outside would never be asked if they are married or not. And even if they found out they are not, nothing would happen. An Asian/African young couple walking outside maybe (and are) asked to show proof they are married. And if found out, they are jailed and then deported.
A caucasian South African friend of mine was driving with his Filipino nurse girl friend last year, and they were stopped at a checkpost and asked for proof of marriage. He spent one night in jail. She was deported.
It is simply the case that white-skinned people have far more practical rights than brown-skinned people. Sure, on paper, they have the same rights.
Another example: If a white person is assaulted/abused (verbally or physically) by an "over zealous" cop or mutawwa, you just might even get an apology from some minister (a prince), aside from the cop/mutawwa being fired and punished (if he was wrong). If you are brown, forget about it. You are just one of tens of thousands in that case. |
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sheikh radlinrol
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 1222
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
Americans are not alone in their parochialism or their assumptions...
VS |
Don't tell me. Here in Spain they think you're crazy if you have dinner before 9 p.m. Some of them think Wales is in France and that London taxis are designed the way they are so that men don't knock their bowler hats off as they get in and out. |
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Latteegirl1974
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 75
Location: Webkinz World
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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Cleo, How many Delawares make up up the size of the KSA?
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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I agree that white folks (let's dispense with the usual Gulf euphemism of "Westerner") do 'unofficially enjoy greater leeway in the areas you mention. It may also be true that Americans are treated even better than citizens of other "Western" nations: I have certainly heard this said, though have yet to see any hard evidence myself.
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| A white couple walking together outside would never be asked if they are married or not. And even if they found out they are not, nothing would happen. |
This is not completely accurate. It's certainly the case that white couples do not arouse suspicion in the way that Asian - much less 'mixed' - couples do, but I have heard stories of unmarried "Western" couples being apprehended and, in a few cases, getting into trouble.
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| A caucasian South African friend of mine was driving with his Filipino nurse girl friend last year, and they were stopped at a checkpost and asked for proof of marriage. He spent one night in jail. She was deported. |
For sure, 'mixed' couples do get a lot of attention from over-zealous police. But I think the difference in treatment you mention has more to do with gender than race: women always come off worse in these situations. In the instances I referred to above, where both members of the couple were white, the man got a ticking off while the woman was charged with prostitution.
Last edited by Cleopatra on Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Latteegirl1974
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 75
Location: Webkinz World
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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I know one thing that Americans are able to do well, and that's filling a seat! Noone can fill a seat like an American. When we put our butts down, we nest like we're sitting on eggs. 
Look, I am not a perfect person. I have been a teacher for many years, but never an English teacher. If I make a mistake than please be professional enough to correct it, otherwise don't complain or make assumptions. I really expected more from some of you, considering you call yourselves teachers. I thought this was a place to come together, and help each other? So if you want to pick on my spelling, grammar, typos, religion, than bring it on! It will be a great learning experience because a teacher is always a learner!
As far as Americans go, they use their own knowledge and experience to describe things. Some may NOT be able to describe stuff in a context that they are not familliar with. Would you be upset if a South African said it's about the size of Rawanda? It's based on pure experience. Many Americans don't travel overseas. They stay in North America (a private sheltered island) just for their alien kind. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Would you be upset if a South African said it's about the size of Rawanda? |
Well, I'd be a lot more convinced if they said it was about the size of Rwanda. |
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Latteegirl1974
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 75
Location: Webkinz World
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| LOL......My point exactly! Americans don't get out much, or look at maps |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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| North America is an island ? I will have to revise that atlas of mine. |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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| trapezius wrote: |
| Another example: If a white person is assaulted/abused (verbally or physically) by an "over zealous" cop or mutawwa, you just might even get an apology from some minister (a prince), aside from the cop/mutawwa being fired and punished (if he was wrong). If you are brown, forget about it. You are just one of tens of thousands in that case. |
So, what is the solution to rescue all these miserable millions brown skinned 'labourers' from the ill-treatment of Uncle Bandar and his associates.
Why do 'brown skinned' workers accept all these humiliation and stay here? Why not resign with dignity and leave this magic kingdom and live proudly elsewhere??
I think those 'brown/yellow/purple/black/white' labourers share some kind of responsibility for their suffering and miss-treatment. Nobody has forced them to stay.
Don't you think so?
Where is 'Martin luther King' of Saudi Arabia to defend the civil rights of all those millions brown skinned labourers??
| Scot47 wrote: |
| North America is an island ? I will have to revise that atlas of mine. |
Yes, Scot47, I think you should revise your out-of print atlas and throw it, and use the new 2007 digitized revised version. 
| Lateegril1974 wrote: |
| Many Americans don't travel overseas. They stay in North America (a private sheltered island) just for their alien kind. |
But, their troops are all over the world, from Guantanamo Bay Naval Base to the borders of North Korea and China!! |
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sheikh radlinrol
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 1222
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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I'm fascinated by 007 and Trapezius. They both live in KSA and seem to hate the place (not surprising). One seems to be an Arabic speaker from a country he will not disclose. The other must be of parents who are from the sub-continent.
I bet they know lots about life in Saudi. |
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desultude
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 614
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Latteegirl1974 wrote: |
| LOL......My point exactly! Americans don't get out much, or look at maps |
Uh hmmm, Please qualify that a bit. Yes, not enough people from the U.S. travel, but some of us bring up the average quite well, thank you.
And we are not all right wingers, or conservative, ethnocentric, racist, ad nauseum.
I am as critical or more so than most about the U.S., but that is a pretty broad brush you are painting us with. |
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Latteegirl1974
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 75
Location: Webkinz World
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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I use the word island as a joke scot. I just wanted show to how secluded some Americans are when it comes to life.
Sorry if I painted with a broad brush, but where I come from in the US there is a chapter of the KKK. It makes me sick!
I know Americans who actually moved to Canada due to their hatred of Bush.
I actually agree with VS when she wrote about the needing of more than 2 parties in congress. |
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