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[Big Raul]

Greetings all!

Would anyone living in (or intimately familiar with) Sharjah care to give an objective take on what life is really like in this conservative emirate? I've done specific searches on Dave's w/o much info.

My wife and I have for some time been looking for employment in the gulf and it looks like Sharjah will be our first taste of the Middle East. Though neither or us are particularly large drinkers, we do like having a nip now and then -- and have been known to hold hands in public.

As a veteran lurker of the Dave's ESL ME forums, the knowledge I've gleaned to this point has been nothing short of invaluable and I continue to learn new things about Western ex-pat life in the Middle East almost daily. I thank you in advance for your input.

Warmest regards.

-Raul

[mishmumkin]

It is more conservative than Dubai, but I don't think you notice this too much. Your wife would feel most comfortable in shirts that are at least 3/4 length sleeves (trying to avoid cleavage and clinging) and at least a cropped length trouser. There are some laws about modesty in the emirate, though should she go to a local hotel and use the pool those laws are more or less relaxed (tell her to leave the thong at home and no topless sunbathing). Friends of mine who have lived in Sharjah for almost 15 years will sometimes pull on a longer skirt over their skimpy "night out" outfits just in case something happens on the drive in to Dubai.

I don't know anyone who's been stopped for immodest dress, though you tend to attract more stares with more revealing outfits (not typically from Emirati men, either). Being prepared is always a good idea-should there be a car accident or something that required "help" from the authorities, you'd likely want to be in line w/ local laws.

As for booze, you can drink in Sharjah at one place: The Sharjah Wanderers. It's a social/sport club whose members are mainly western expats. They have a pub, restaurant, pool tables, very basic gym, nice pool, a dive club, lots of sports teams, etc. I believe you can obtain a short-term trial membership. I found the atmosphere a bit too "expatty", but if you just want somewhere to grab a drink once in a while, it's an option. Depending on where you live in Sharjah, it might be just as easy to drive over to Ajman for a drink there. Someone else started a thread about this just recently so you might try doing a search on the board...maybe search "Sharjah University" or "AMerican University of Sharjah" for a recent thread.

I don't think you'd have a problem holding hands in Sharjah, but kissing would be a no-no. It's not a terrible exciting emirate and its traffic problems have multiplied over the years making many wonder what the benefit of living there really was. The beaches are not as nice as dubai or abu dhabi and not as western-woman friendly. Ajman has a few beach clubs near the Sharjah/Ajman "border", though.

When I first went to live in Sharjah in 1998 there were 3 cinemas: one showed only Indian films and the other two usually had 1 English-speaking film on (heavily and poorly edited for sexual scenes....even some passionate kisses removed). The cinemas were run-down and cheap. Things have changed, though, and there is now a huge cineplex (actually...maybe 2) with all the comforts of home (and then some). There were no malls and the aside from KFC, McDonald's, and THe Body Shop, there were no western franchises. Again, all of this has changed! A big, glitzy mall with Chili's (Applebee's, too?), Starbucks everywhere...truthfully, the emirate has lost some of the qualities that I thought made it an "Arab Emirate".

In a nutshell, it's somewhat more conservative than the other emirates, but there are local laws in place for working around things like booze (search "sharjah liquor license). No one is asking your wife to wear an abaya, but she might find that a wander around Rolla Square is more comfortable in loose and not-too-revealing clothing than in a sleeveless top and shorts (save those for the beach). The country is so small that you can escape to other emirates for a change of scenery and social norms.

If you have more questions, you can PM me. I think we have some other current residents of Sharjah (I go back for regular visits to friends) on the board who might give their 2 cents.

[Big Raul]

[PTTeacher]

Living in Sharjah is bad most of all because the traffic... it is REALLY a big problem, and when I say BIG... I mean it!

Living with your wife here will not be a problem. There's an English Sport Club (Wanderers) with good food and they serve alchool. It's the only place I know with it in Sharjah, you pay 10Dhs for a pint, reasonable.

Being discreet is a good advice but no need to worry at all, if you are ok with the traffic... so it will not be that bad.

[kiefer]

Raul,

This thread about the University of Sharjah contains a lengthy discussion about life in Sharjah.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=58741