Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject:

Dear desultude,

"I think this may be true for Saudis in general, but for Saudi administration, I stand by my statement."

Much as I agree with the content of almost all of your posts, it's my opinion that you're off-base on this. I'm sure that the statement above was true where you were employed, but to state that ALL Saudi administrators do not respect the teachers in their employ, in my experience, mistaken.

I taught at the IPA for quite a while (nineteen years,) and, during that time, some of my students (in the early years) went to the States, got their graduate degrees, returned to the IPA, and rose through the ranks to high administrative positions.
These Saudis - and others that I had never taught - were and still are my friends. I'm still in touch with many of them, and even now, thirty years later, these ex-students, who now pretty much run the IPA, address me as "my teacher."
I think that I can safely say that there's a lot of mutual respect in our friendships.

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

People are sometimes fooled into thinking that Saudis are the same because they all wear that same uniform. they are in fact very diverse. Rather like those of us from the Rest Of the World !

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

If I had met a few of them, I may have a different impression.

I have the experience of the university I worked for there, and now of the university I work for here. There is no comparison.

I do yield that my experience in the Kingdom was limited (blessedly) to 2 years at one institution. I wasn't looking for the chance to disabuse myself of the opinion formed by the regular abuse I experienced at PMU. (In case someone is doing a search, that is Prince Mohammed bin Fahd University.)

Dominic-Pax · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 77

I am going to teach in Saudi Arabia for the first time starting in February. I would like to dress properly to avoid problems at work and in public places.

Here are my questions:

1.) Are short sleeve shirts (i.e. polo shirts) acceptable in public places?
2.) Are khaki pants acceptable in public places?
3.) No shorts?
4.) Are there any colors to avoid?

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:20 pm Post subject:

Dear Dominic-Pax,

1.) Are short sleeve shirts (i.e. polo shirts) acceptable in public places?
Yes.
2.) Are khaki pants acceptable in public places?
Yes.
3.) No shorts?
No shorts.
4.) Are there any colors to avoid?
Hmm, pink, maybe (just kidding - I've never heard of a "taboo" color.)

Regards,
John

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

The Lathe of Heaven · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:24 am Post subject:

WAKE UP
PUT CLOTHES on body of teacher that works in Saudi Arabia for credit account payments that are way overdue and maybe even in default.
GO TO WORK

NEXT DAY

WAKE UP
PUT CLOTHES on body of teacher that works in Saudi Arabia for credit account payments that are way overdue and maybe even in default.
GO TO WORK

NEXT DAY

WAKE UP
PUT CLOTHES on body of teacher that works in Saudi Arabia for credit account payments that are way overdue and maybe even in default.
GO TO WORK

NEXT DAY

WAKE UP
PUT CLOTHES on body of teacher that works in Saudi Arabia for credit account payments that are way overdue and maybe even in default.
GO TO WORK

NEXT DAY

WAKE UP
PUT CLOTHES on body of teacher that works in Saudi Arabia for credit account payments that are way overdue and maybe even in default.
GO TO WORK

WEEKEND

WAKE UP
GO TO BED

anything other than this routine becomes a stress code for men.

TLOH

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"Put clothes" ? Put them where ? Or do you mean "Put clothes on".

lazycomputerkids · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 360 Location: Tabuk

TLOH really must invest in a wider monitor.

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

Ha! A funny thread at last!

The Lathe of Heaven · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:04 am Post subject:

Dear LZCOMPKIDS

"Holy graffics Batman"!!! Your avatar takes to long to load on my monitor.
My PSP can't handle it.

TLOH

trapezius · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:57 pm Post subject:

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:54 pm Post subject:

Ahem - ladies and gentlemen,

Sometimes we may forget that those who have not yet been to Saudi are often not very attuned as to what is permitted and what is not.

And I think we who have been there will likely agree that there are a lot of taboos in that society which an "outsider" might likely be unaware of.

Is the slack machine broken? Be gentle with the inexperienced, please. Were we not all once in the same situation?

Regards,
John