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Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Some people's expiry date precedes the date on their birth certificate.

redeyes · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 254

That's very Zen Stephen! I think in French philosophy, Montaigne explored similar ideas too!

Good one.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

And there are definitely some people who should NOT COME to Saudi Arabia.
Under ANY circumstances !!
See other thread with recent posts by 'Biffinbridge" !!!!!!!!!!

brasscat · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:15 am Post subject: Flexible Mindset

ADAPT, IMPROVISE, AND OVERCOME.

The basic three concepts for living in a different culture.

The idea is you are in someone else's house, so adapt and play by the new rules.

Improvise ways to keep yourself socially connected and active.

Overcome the notion you are alone and everyone is out to get you. You have plenty of company, seek them out. The average local could not care less about you. Just spend some money and watch the smiles.

brasscat

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:42 am Post subject:

The_Prodiigy · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 252

This is partially the truth (Ruth).

When someone is walking alone along dusty streets of KSA and then attempts to instigate a conversation with a local then one should not really expect them to act as if they emphathise with any predicament you may be in.

Adapt and accept - BUT in this paradise the sacrifices and changes that have to be made may be way too far and way too unusual for you to hold on to those beliefs and interests that you have developed over the years that you have spent in Liverpool, Cardiff, Birmingham, Dundee with family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.

One of the benefits of travelling and exploring foreign cultures over the years and becoming involved in all aspects of the way of life (eating, sports, food, marriage and even art) impacts on how you look at and engage with the culture that you are now living.

Japan, Austria, China, even UAE are different.
But Saudi offers unique and unparalled opportunities to adopt some of the things that have beome instrinic to KSA.

Temples, Mosques, Kapsa, Cars with rust, white gowns, no binge drinking, no mindless advertising and a plethora of sports are some.

But - be aware that this is tricky and difficult and only come if you really are prepared to adapt and be gregarious.

trapezius · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:31 pm Post subject:

Temples in Saudi? Shocked

lall · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 358

Private temples to Bacchus? Maybe!

brasscat · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:35 pm Post subject: Saudi Temples

More like various forms of Shirly Temples, to drink.
brasscat

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Certainly the incidence of alcoholism is alarmingly high !

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

My remarks are based purely on observation. I do not imagine that there are reliable statistics in this field. Of course in Scotland, Spain and many Europeans countries there is an EPIDEMIC of alcoholism.

As for "despising" people from the UK I think my views are a bit more complex than that. It has become a very sick society. That is certain and obvious to any casual observer

guty · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 365 Location: on holiday

I have to agree with Scot that in my prersonal experience there were more teachers per capita with a need for alcohol than in other countries where I have worked. This is not restricted to UK nationals by any means.

I think a significant number of them arrive with those problems already, thinking a short stint in a 'dry' country will help them get over it.
Unfortunately for them, it is not difficult to find alcohol even in this dry country, what's more, it is usually poorer quality than in other countries, so more damaging physically.

Of course, if you want statistics, then officially, there are no aloholics in KSA, because there is no alcohol. Problem solved!

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain