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uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

Now that many of you are packing your bags (likely fewer than in previous years, thanks to the brilliant western economies) ---- what are some of the lessons you learned?

A few from my own experience:

- spraying works better than wiping --- (next home will have a bidet!)
- cash is king (I learned to live on cash --- and I recommend you avoid the visa and mastercards over there).
- God is with the patient (allah ma sabreen)
- You don't always need a map to get places --- in fact --- maps occasionally confuse the issue.
- Throwing temper tantrums can get things done (really!)
- Ramadan and a diabetic supervisor make for a very bad mix.......
- After hearing "Allah Akbahr" 5,000 times, I think I know the words to the call of prayer.
- I know how to barter for over-priced fake carpets being sold by Afghanis in a souk (see also point on temper tantrum).
- I can mimic the Indian head wobble perfectly while saying "no problem."
- I can tell a good date (the kind you eat) from a bad one

I also learned there's at least three different ways to run skype.

That's my first pass ---- so tell me --- what did you learn?

johnslat · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:14 pm Post subject:

Dear uaeobserver,
Hmm, that there are people whom God in not with when they are buying over-priced fake carpets being sold by Afghanis in a souk?
Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

johnkg · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 127

That the UAE is a pretty good place to work when compared to other places in the Gulf. A darn sight better than Kuwait, and from what I've heard, Saudi.

Iamherebecause · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:05 am Post subject:

- Never forget the power of 'wasta,' and that sometimes the most unlikely people seem to have loads of it.

How to translate 'wasta?' Influence, connections, being related - it's more all-pervasive than the 'old boy network' in the UK because 'wasta' works even for the incompetent.

- Summer heat puts less of a toll on the psyche than months of dreary winter grey and darkness. In the UAE no-one gets Seasonal Affective Disorder.

- No problem doesn't mean no problem.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

johnkg · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 127

and grade A doesn't really mean grade A

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

and "no smoking" doesn't really mean "no smoking" Confused

johnkg · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 127

and 120 kph doesn't really mean 120 kph

and "Express checkout - 10 items or less" doesn't really mean "Express checkout - 10 items or less"

Iamherebecause · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:19 am Post subject:

and 'the students are all upper intermediate level' doesn't exactly mean that...

and just because a driver isn't indicating, don't think they won't change lanes/turn off suddenly/stop without warning/leave the roundabout from your left making you do an mergency stop

However: No parking/parking restrictions etc can really mean that you might get a fine if you park or overstay, especially in Dubai

MrScaramanga · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 221

More often than not, a plumber is not really a plumber... and an electrician, well, is not...
But Shariah law is really Shariah law!
MrS

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject:

...and five minutes doesn't really mean five minutes... Rolling Eyes

NCTBA

johnkg · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 127

007

... and a teacher does not mean a teacher! Laughing

Never Ceased To Be Amazed