Job Discussion Forums

[littleoldlady]

delete

[Grendal]

Sorry to go off topic but I have never heard of deplaning or to deplane I always thought it was disembarking.

Grendal

[johnslat]

Dear Grendal,
It's plain to see that, since you are, after all, a monster, you've never had occasion to board or deplane:

de�plane (dē plān′)
intransitive verb deplaned -�planed′, deplaning -�plan′�ing
to get out of an airplane after it lands

http://www.yourdictionary.com/deplane

And, of course, Tattoo (i.e. Herve Villechaize) used to use the term every week on "Fantasy Island' (although some might argue that what he was actually saying was, " De plane".)

Regards,
John

[Grendal]

Dear John,

What can I say.......

Thank you.

Grendal

[veiledsentiments]

Hey LoL, I was just reading a book yesterday evening and they were describing the flirtation possibilities of the Afghani chadoor... the use of hands or walk. Covering up merely changes the dynamic. After all, during Victorian times, men could just be overwhelmed by the sight of an ankle.

It always surprised me that they can all recognize each other when covered. Walking into the college in the morning in the Emirates, a voice would come from under all that full black veiling saying "Good Morning Miss" and I would respond and ask who it was. "It's me Fatma" Then I would walk on to my office wondering which Fatma. I discussed it with a group of my students and they were surprised that I couldn't tell them apart. They are tuned into the subtle messages that we miss.

VS
(grendal... probably deplane is American... both sound correct to me)

[efemmera]

I am hoping someone can help me answer these questions. I am trying to plan a wardrobe that is not offensive to KSA sensibilities. Would the following options be offensive in KSA?

covering head with a bandana
wearing a knee or ankle length skirt with black tights underneath
wearing a knee or ankle length skirt with trousers underneath
wearing an abaya type garment in a pastel colour

Any advice appreciated. Thanks very much.

[Grendal]

[desultude]

Again, it depends on where in the Kingdom you are teaching. It also depends on if you are out in public, on a female campus or with females, or with a mix of faculty.

The safest bet is the abaya. It can be tossed over anything at all if you don't plan to remove it.

Skirts and dresses of around knee length are fine for teaching on a female only campus.

In the Eastern Province I found it acceptable to wear long dresses with long sleeves and a reasonable discreet neckline. That being said, I saw women in all sorts of western clothes in public. Young women might want to always wear the abaya in public, and maybe even cover their heads. It depends on your tolerance for attention and harrassment.

Bring an abaya or buy one when you get to the Kingdom. Pay attention and figure out what the local norms are.

[Mia Xanthi]

covering head with a bandana: perfectly fine while among women, may attract unwanted attention in public

wearing a knee or ankle length skirt with black tights underneath: Fine, but if you are just considering modesty the tights are not necessary with the ankle length skirt

wearing a knee or ankle length skirt with trousers underneath: this would appear odd to the Saudis, and they're not too big on "odd"

wearing an abaya type garment in a pastel colour: No. You can have all the pastel decorations on it that you want, and you can even have it fully lined in a lovely pastel silk. but without the black it's not really acceptable as an abaya. It would sort of miss the point. You might as well wear regular, baggy, unrevealiing clothes if you're going to wear a pink or baby blue abaya.

Again, the point is supposed to be to not stand out and attract the attention of others, although you will see many a young woman in a tightly tailored abaya sashaying through the mall who, in spite of the traditional color, is clearly seeking the attention of men.

[Stephen Jones]

It is perfectly acceptable to wear the salwar kameez or trouser suit.

[johnslat]

Dear Stephan,
Even in Riyadh?
Regards,
John

[Stephen Jones]

I've seen plenty of Philipino nurses wearing one in Riyadh.

The point about an abaya is that it is more convenient. You can slip it on and wear what you want underneath.

[desultude]

[Stephen Jones]

[Mia Xanthi]

My guess is that she means wear what you want under the abaya. Those little snaps that close the thing are not always reliable, and some abayas are a little sheer. Wearing whatever you like underneath the abaya can be a risky proposition!