Job Discussion Forums

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:06 pm Post subject:

Well, at least Scot is not in denial about being in denial, so to speak!

At least he's not using the locals as his excuse, as in the all-too-frequent "This dump would collapse if we "Westerners" weren't here to run the place!"

Rrright.....

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

well I wonder if Saudi would shut down if the Indians, Pakistanis and other Asians decided to leave.

After having a strong dollar for years, I am glad the yen is so robust. Go yen go!

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 10:43 am Post subject:

Would KSA collapse if all the Thir World nationals left?

Yes indeed it would, if you ask me.

Becoming a clerk or a doctor is one thing, but how many Saudis do you know who would clean toilets or sweep streets?

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 2:15 pm Post subject: No place to go but up

Dear Cleopatra,
Once again, I agree ( Lordy, can't you post something I can DISAGREE with?). It's sort of like the situation in the USA, especially here down near the border with Mexico. If the flow of illegals ever were to be completely cut off, well, most of the fast food joints and other jobs paying mimimum wage would fold in a jiffy. But of course, neither here nor in Saudi Arabia will the situation change. Those "Third World" nationals' (the legals and the illegals) situations in their own countries are so economically desperate that even working in sweat shops here or sweeping the streets in Riyadh, separated from home and family, is an improvement. Life isn't at all fair - which is all the more reason, I'd say, why we should always try to be.
Regards,
John

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:28 pm Post subject: Streets ahead

Dear basiltherat,
Get off that computer and pick up your broom again. A street-sweeper's work is never done.
Regards,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 10:00 am Post subject:

The sad thing is that your average Pakistani taxi driver or Sri Lankan waiter is often better educated - and certainly more congenial - than many of those po-faced "Westerners" who strut around talking about how they keep the Kingdom afloat!

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 1:34 pm Post subject: Dumb luck and educated misfortune

Dear Cleopatra,
I know - I'll never forget the guy from Bangladesh I met in Jeddah, early on in my time in the Kingdom, in 1982. He - and about 50 other laborers - were "housed" in an apartment building not far from one of the IPA residences. Of course, in his case, he was sharing a room with about half a dozen others. We got to talking one evening and I learned he had a PhD in English literature. His English was fluent and his mastery of the subject area was very impressive. But he couldn't find any teaching jobs back home, so there he was in Jeddah, working construction. What a waste of learning and knowledge. After we'd talked and he went back to his residence, I had two thoughts: 1. It's a terrible shame that someone like that can't do what he was meant to; and 2. boy, am I lucky.
I also felt more than a little guilty for being so accidentally fortunate.
Regards,
John

MindTraveller · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 89 Location: Oman

I got over my 'accidentally lucky' feeling when a Brit said he admired Americans. I asked why. He said because their ancestors had the courage to leave the old countries and settle in a new, uknown place.

So when I run into people jealous of my heritage, I tell them my grandparents left Ireland a 100 years ago, and my father's family left Europe 2-300 years ago. Theirs could have done the same too. So don't blame me, blame your own ancestors!

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 2:02 pm Post subject:

But haven't those Indians and Sri Lankans in the Kingdom had the courage to leave their own coutries in search of a better life, only to find all was not as they were told it would be? And aren't most "Western" countries these days doing their level best to deter any courageous people who come to their shores seeking a better life?

Can't say I've ever had anyone express jealousy of my "heritage". Nor would I ever express jealousy of anyone else's. But certainly, the country into which you were born has a huge effect on your future chances of prosperity. Sad but true.