Job Discussion Forums

[fof]

As it is so hot in August -early Sept. when classes start up, I assume that by the time a teacher gets to work s/he is drenched. Is it normal to leave clothes at school/university and change before teaching - or to take an extra set? Are open toed sandals OK?

Are nylons needed (for skirts that come below the knee but aren't floor length)? Do schools/unis have staff shower facilities? And, finally, is it expected that female western teachers will dress "western" or is wearing an "abaya?" OK (I would think they would be cooler)?
Thanks

[Duffy]

This is one for you Aliskander.

Duffy

[veiledsentiments]

Were you planning to walk or bicycle a long distance to work? I never knew anyone who changed at school. I have never seen a place that had showers anywhere near the teaching areas. I wore open toed sandals every day for the years I was in the Gulf and I haven't purchased hosiery/panti-hose/nylons since the 1980s. Some women who chose to wear closed shoes used knee-highs.

The only country where expat women wear an abaya is in Saudi. I personally chose to live in floor length gauzy cotton skirts that are the most comfortable in the heat. No sleeveless or tight clothing... my sleeves normally went to the elbow at the shortest... 3/4 lengths are great.

BTW, the heat doesn't relent until nearly November... but from then until end of March, it is some of the most gorgeous weather in the world. And, you do eventually get used to the heat. Soon you too will put on a sweater when the temperature plummets down to 21C (70F). It will be the sweater that you have in your office because they keep the temperatures turned down to freeze.

VS

[denise]

If you go from your air-conditioned home to your air-conditioned car to your air-conditioned office or classroom, you shouldn't be too drenched. Just don't spend too much time outside!

I really don't like spending all of my time cooped up indoors. But I don't really like being excessively sweaty either. It's a trade-off.

d

[fof]

Why do I have a feeling I don't want to hear what Aliskander has to say ...
Great news about the nylons -evil things! I have lovely Galabayas (?) from Egypt that I would love to wear...will have to think about it I guess, if I am the only Western woman in the ME wearing one...
I would like to bike to the uni in the "cool" months if I live within 10 kms...or is this unheard of (is the road there deadly)?

[veiledsentiments]

You will not see any Western teachers wearing the clothing of the locals, and outside of Egypt, they would likely laugh at you behind your back if you wore an Egyptian style galabeya. They would think you were wearing the "servant's" outfit - and it would affect their respect for you - in a bad way.

You would have to scope out the area as far as biking. In 90+%, the traffic will be way too deadly. Other than those living on campus at SQU, I never once saw a woman biking... and very few Western men. No bike paths... no right of way... fast/reckless drivers... not a good combination for biking.

VS

[Duffy]

fof,

Believe me you DO want to hear what Aliskander has to say.

Aliskander has been "in country" in Oman for the last 11 years and has taught in most kinds of establishments so the knowledge is first hand and very relevant.

Duffy

[lall]

[veiledsentiments]

I never heard that it was, and I recall one Western convert (male) who wore a non-Omani dishdasha, but a generic head cover (he had been employed in various countries around the gulf). I'm not sure how we could confirm the legality. And does it vary if you are Muslim or not?

VS

[taurus_oman]

As in the manual, it is illegal to wear dishdasha and the cap for us, even other arabs are not allowed to wear it at school. As for abaya, it does not explicitly say anything as to whether it is legal or not.

[camelman]

I'm not sure if it is illegal to wear Omani dress like taurus_oman claims. I know of children (including my own two children) who attend Omani private schools and wear the dishdash and kumma.

[veiledsentiments]

[desertrat]

[camelman]

I have heard that Shinas College of Technology asks the women to cover during Ramadan. Apparently, most of the teachers covered and enjoyed the experience and the students and staff alike appreciated and welcomed it. There were some who would not cover and nothing was said.

There was a Canadian teacher a couple of year�s back who would on occasions wear the dishdash and the kids cheered and whistled.

Would love to read the manual you were given. Maybe you could type in a few excerpts and let the few that know put you in the picture.

[Aliskander]

Cycling - more and more common nowadays for locals and expats due to the high increase in traffic. If you want to leave clothes at work and get changed that is your personal choice - there is no problem with that. Although the standard of some bathrooms may make you change your mind about using them! I keep toiletries at work (as do some colleagues) for the hot and humid days.

Nylons - well they are available in Oman but i would never wear them A) because none of my skirts or dresses are higher than the floor and B) nylons (or tights / stockings) are just too hot and sweaty. To wear anything higher than ankle length is done BUT is disapproved of. You may get comments to your face, you may get comments to your back or you may just notice a distinct lack of respect from some people.

Abbaya - contrary to what many people think they are not that cool! Add a headscarf tied on properly and you feel not only restricted movement wise but also incredibly hot. Generally locals don't mind to see a westerner in an abbaya but think it is a bit odd as you are not a Muslim so why would you try and portray yourself as one? If you are in a relationship with a Muslim, and the students know, then they often ask you to wear an abbaya and headscarf. However, a polite explanation that you only wear one when necessary is 100% accepted. Also, as some colleges have only recently lifted the abbaya rule it will definitely not go down well with your colleagues if you regularly wear an abbaya and headscarf as it may encourage the abbaya rule to be reinstated. Don't forget that you would need to wear the headscarf and the abbaya, as a non Muslim woman in an abbaya and no headscarf is often thought to be a prostitute or a 'loose woman'.

Wearing of traditional style long dresses or any type of long dress with long sleeves or a blouse / cardigan on top is very accepted and liked as it does show that are a 'good person'.

Dress style in Ramadhan will be expected to be more conservative - long sleeves although sometimes 3/4 length sleeves are ok. No splits, nothing above the ankle or showing your chest (i.e raise your neckline a few inches). Nothing that may be even slightly tight or see through.

The material of clothes depends on the individual. I can wear any material and it does not affect my body temperatur, but many people swear by wearing cotton only. Don't spend too much money of fancy labels as with the intense heat you may find you have to bin your clothes after on or maybe two seasons.

Basically most of the dress code is common sense. - Oman is a Muslim country. In some ways the people are open minded as they use the reasoning 'oh, she's a westerner. What does she know?', but in a work environment you are expected to make the effort to research the dress code and follow it. The people you would be most likely to offend with poor dress sense would be the girls and men in management positions. Being a teacher in Oman is still a position to be respected and you would be expected to reinforce that by your dress code.

My usual work attire is either a skirt or dress (that sweep the floor!) or a suit with a blouse or smart t shirt underneath.