Job Discussion Forums

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

Well... if you look at a map, you see Iran (Persia) on one side and various Arab countries on the other side. Historically Persia was the aggressive neighbor... and there are still disputes. In the last few years, Iran took over a group of islands that are claimed by the Emirates. Iran also claims ownership of Bahrain - and Qatar's natural gas fields.

So.... now that the Arab countries have become rich, they too lay claim to the body of water that they use to deliver their oil and gas to the world. They call it the "Arabian Gulf."

If you look at many atlases nowadays you will see it labeled "The Gulf" which is the term most of us tend to end up using. It is pretty much only the US (and Iran) who insist on calling it the "Persian Gulf."

Thus... if you are working for the Arabs, best to call it what they call it... or choose the compromise.

VS

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Let me get this straight--the OP worked at the university leverl in the Emirates for 3 years and doesn't know what to call the Gulf and doesn't know anything about KSA? And wants to make frequent visits to the Land That Doesn't Exist? I suggest the UAE for employment in any case, but especially in the OP's case.

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject:

Anyone else's trollometer starting to register?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject:

♫ Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, dingggg... ♫

NCTBA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

When he is in Jeddah he can offer classes in Hebrew. There should be a great demand.

InterRick · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 86

Dervish Finkelblatt · Joined: 13 Nov 2009 Posts: 32 Location: West Hollywood

Actually, not really true at all.
The United Nations, the governments and militaries of both the United Kingdom and France, The Red Cross, Medicins Sans Frontieres (in fact most NGO's headquarted outside the ME) and the National Geographic Society...all prefer the term "Persian Gulf" The term-or neologism- "Arabian Gulf" is virtually unknown---or at least, not commonly used- in any other language aside from English and Arabic..and in those languages only since about 1960.
Thanks for your help in the other matter though.
Derve

trapezius · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:33 am Post subject:

Are you a real dervish?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Mr Flinkleblatt, I feel that you will not fit in to the Saudi environment. Go to Tel Aviv. Or Safad.

007 · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject:

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:23 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject:

Dear NCTBA,

OK, you made me look it up:

"Konya was the capital city of the Selcuk Empire and hometown of Mevlana, founder of Whirling Dervish Sect.
However, among Muslims, another legend is told. Two dervishes, friends of Allah, were making an excursion through the skies from the far away countries of Horasan toward the west. When they flew over the lands of central Anatolia, one asked the other, "Shall I land?" ("Konayim mi?"). The other answered, "Sure, land." ("Kon ya!") So, they landed and founded the city of Konya."

http://www.allaboutturkey.com/konya.htm

Regards,
John

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject:

Lookie at me! I made John look something up! Nearly as incredible as an event that happened to me last week!!! Wink

NCTBF (Never Ceased To Be Fired?)...but for this post only! Shocked