Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

Unfortunately for the reputation of expats, people choose to believe those who agree with their own preconceived prejudices. Arabs especially will almost always figure out what you want to hear... and then say it back to you.

Mature people respect the mores and traditions of a country in which they choose to reside. Living together merely confirms to the average Omani - who has never traveled abroad - that all foreigner women are merely prostitutes and deserve no respect.

They are the ones who 'can' get you into trouble if they find out, not the young fellows you meet abroad - whose hopes are actually to get part of the action when the man you are shacking with isn't looking. They will be nice to your face, but that is the only goal. You have already confirmed to them what you are.

Welcome to the real world...

VS

[stabnkill]

"Mature people respect the mores and traditions of a country in which they choose to reside."

VS is right. When you come to Oman, be sure not to live with your long-term, committed, significant other because you might be mistaken for a prostitute. Don't bother coming if you are a divorcee. Also, when here, be sure not to partake in the drinking of alcoholic beverages with immature individuals. Don't smoke, especially not sheesha. Check your body. Make sure that you are not tattooed, although if you are female genitally mutilated or "circumcised" that would be fine. Whatever you do, don't share your home with a dog. Refrain from visiting the PORK FOR NON-MUSLIMS section of Al Fair. Strictly adhere to all examples of false parallelism or you will surly fall victim to armchair character assassination.

[veiledsentiments]

Thank you for confirming your lack of knowledge about the culture. You are just digging the hole deeper.

VS

[desertrat]

Stab, ROFL - youre so much more than just the man, youre my hero! Amazing how quick ppl are to assume what Omanis find acceptable or unacceptable....... ESL or ESP? One has to wonder how much time has actually been spent around "real" Omani's or are these assumptions purely based on some fictious, fantastical Omani's I havent had the chance to meet yet? Love ya Stab!

[veiledsentiments]

[williamh]

wow - getting a little hot and heavy - but five years in this part of the world tells me VS is right. Omanis (ME in general) will figure out what you want to hear and tell you that. What are your ex-pat omani friends going to say 'hey, in my country you could get flogged for co-habitating, something that is considered 'normal' in most countries?' - nope, they (all men, which should be another point to consider) are going to tell you that oman is 'modern' and that there is no problem with shacking up.

yes, omanis are really polite, considerate and pretty much live-and-let-live but I have a hard time imagining why you would want to arrive in a country with a living situation that you know ahead of time is not condoned and disrespectful. a lot of other places in the world to co-habitate.