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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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 Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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Dear scot47,
" I cannot say that I have experienced anything like these horror stories from "Madman". "
Owing, no doubt, to the dearth of Chinese ladies in the areas you visited. 
Regards,
John |
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PattyFlipper
Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 572
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:21 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
I don't know Madman, but I have met many men who had similar problems around the Gulf with this.
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I had all of Madman's experiences in Saudi - having people drive their cars directly at me while crossing the street, the cruising by Saudi males in cars and being followed around the Suk, the stoning (from kids), which also happened a couple of times in Bahrain when driving through Shia villages. Two Western female teachers were also stoned (or perhaps mud-pied would be a better description) while walking along Sohar beach in Oman, despite being very conservatively dressed.
Even in the more liberal Gulf States, your presence may be seen as an unwanted intrusion if you venture into areas where white faces are not often seen. I'm not suggesting it is a common occurrence, but it certainly does happen. |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:53 am Post subject: |
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In the 9 years I spent in KSA ( 3 in Abha & 6 in Riyadh) I never had any of negative experiences that madman describes either. Sure, aggressive behavior by some Saudi men in and outside the car can be annyoying, but have never felt threatened by their antics.
Perhaps the best thing to do is reflect on your negative experiences and see, if you can come away with any insights...such as getting a first hand experience for what it feels like to be a minority and all the BS that goes with it.
Perhaps you come away with a heightened sense of empathy for those that have to endure such abuse on a daily basis and can not escape?
Perhaps you know yourself better because of the experiences you had, therefore can make better choices in the future? |
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PattyFlipper
Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 572
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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| cmp45 wrote: |
Perhaps you come away with a heightened sense of empathy for those that have to endure such abuse on a daily basis and can not escape?
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Like the indentured-labour from the Sub-Continent, you mean? Certainly, even in my darkest Saudi moments, I was always aware that I was much better off than many of those poor souls. As you say, at least I could get on an airplane and leave.
| cmp45 wrote: |
Perhaps you know yourself better because of the experiences you had, therefore can make better choices in the future? |
This smells to me very much like blame the victim. My "choices" usually involved trying to avoid places and situations where I was likely to be hassled (e.g. not jogging on the street wearing sports kit). Can't with all truth say that these relatively isolated incidents ever caused me to go off on some "white' guilt-trip though. |
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sharter
Joined: 25 Jun 2008
Posts: 878
Location: All over the place
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 2:50 pm Post subject: Jubail |
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My memories of teaching in Jubail-(I did a runner after 11 weeks).
Virtual teaching and testing....everyone was a grade A student...yeah right.
Pathetic enforced office hours doing nothing.
Going for an Asian meal every week at International House, (the restaurant not the dodgy TEFL outfit).
Getting the *beep* out of dodge at the weekend to have a vaguely normal, but hugely expensive time in Bahrain.
Seeing the beach, but not being allowed on it 'cos I was single and couldn't go anywhere nice as it was family area.
Staring moody locals.
Shopping in Giant just for something to do
Saudis 'cruising' (in the gay sense) around in cars.
Blinding curries somewhere.
Nascar driving in fog.
Dreadful accommodation.
No expat social life.
The loudest mosque I've ever heard right outside my window.
Loads of wild cats.
Making homebrew from Rauch grape juice.
Muslim convert efl teachers who made Zarqawi look like a moderate. |
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otuzbirci
Joined: 20 Oct 2009
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:28 am Post subject: |
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| The International House restaurant in Jubail certainly is better quality and very reasonably priced than IH the awful tefl fraud. No doubt the staff get better pay and conditions than teflers do. |
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sharter
Joined: 25 Jun 2008
Posts: 878
Location: All over the place
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| Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject: ha ha |
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| Ain't that the truth! |
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