Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

He means in Plain English that other Arabs dislike the Saudis.

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

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

johnslat · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 5:43 pm Post subject:

Dear LCT,

"The surrounding middle-eastern countries have supplied Saudi Arabia with professionals for a long time and I sense a "pecking order" the longer I'm here."

There is indeed a "pecking order" (maybe in both senses of the word "order.")
Here's my experience of what it was (more or less) in my time there - top to bottom (I'm speaking only of males here, of course.)

Saudis
Americans (this may have changed thanks to Dubya)
British
All other Westerners
Egyptians with "advanced degrees"
Other Middle East citizens with "advanced degrees"
Rich, educated Asians
Just about everybody else

(and, somewhere down here - women.)

Regards,
John

007 · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 6:15 pm Post subject:

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

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

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

johnslat · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:41 pm Post subject:

Dear LCT,

Hope you don't take offense, but I'd say that you have a unique writing (and perhaps thinking) style that sometimes/often makes it a little difficult for some/many of us on this forum to completely grasp your meaning.
It almost seems to be a kind of personalized shorthand, which is, I'm sure, quite clear to you, but often not so clear - to me, anyway. However, I must admit that it makes comprehending your posts more interesting in that they usually present a challenge.

Regards,
John

johnslat · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:55 pm Post subject:

Dear 007

"John, is your top-to-bottom order in management (senior positions) or in general faculty positions?"

General faculty and in general, mostly. Almost all my experience with senior management consisted of dealing with Saudis.

"What about an Egyptian or Jordanian with a blue/red passport (US/UK), with "advanced degree" and with no blue/green eyes , where do you put him in that list? (of course according to your past experience in IPA)."

I'd say, from my experience, that the "passport color" is mostly irrelevant.
If you are an Egyptian or Jordanian with an American or British passport (and we had some like that at the IPA,) the Saudis tended to think of you (and treat you) as an Egyptian or Jordanian (levels 5 and 6, respectively.)

However, there were exceptions. One gentleman, a Palestinian by the name of Isaak Diqs, whom I met when I first arrived at the IPA in 1980, was very highly respected by all - including Saudis. Perhaps that was because he was such a complete gentleman and a VERY wise, caring, thoughtful and charming individual. He's (or was - I don't know if he's still alive) an author, as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Bedouin-Boyhood-Isaak-Diqs/dp/0876634307

I highly recommend his book - it's wonderful. In fact, I think I'll write a recommendation for it on Amazon.

Regards,
John

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

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

Yes, it is so evident that your English writing skills are just above most of us.

So, please, as a favor to us peons of the English Language, would you parse the sentence I cited:

"I was addressing the administration dynamics of Westerners and Arabs as they contend success with Saudi investment"

This seems to me to be elliptical at best, and maybe a bit of obfuscation.

The function of language is communication. If you are trying to communicate with us (we are your audience, as it were) maybe you need to try harder.

I sense a poetic sort of shorthand in your writing, too.