Job Discussion Forums

[rainlover]

OK, this topic has been covered more times than I'm sure anyone would like, but even after reading pages of archival postings, I still don't have a clear answer to this: Yes, I get the idea of conservative dress for women; skirts below the knees, no tight clothes etc. But this is my one question: what about the arms? I know sleeveless is not an option, but what about T-shirts, or short sleeve blouses, tops and sweaters? I'm talking about all this in reference to the work environment (school/uni). Is it acceptable, or must arms be covered past the elbow? Someone help me out here, because I may need to re pack ALOT of shipping boxes! Thanks.

[veiledsentiments]

It depends on where you are teaching, but IMHO sleeves should be - at the shortest - to the elbow. And yes, I know that they are hard to find these days. Actually they have always been hard to find, so I used tailors. Here is a way to think about it... students are always sitting... and they should not be able to look up the sleeves. You may say that your sleeves are tight... but... when it is humid and 120 degrees, you don't want to be wearing anything that is tight!! 3/4 sleeves are a great choice.

Now, if you are teaching in the schools, some of them may even require sleeves to the wrist. That is what the female students will nearly all be wearing.

VS
(BTW... I'm speaking of work here... shorter sleeves would be OK at most expat social activities...)

[rainlover]

Wow, thank you SO much for the insight. I have LOTS of short sleeve sweaters and blouses, but the idea of having to wear a jacket or cardigan to cover my arms is suffocating, knowing how hot it gets. So, looks like I'll be shopping alot once I'm back in Canada this summer! But at least now I won't ship a ton of stuff that I can't wear to the UAE. Thank you. Seriously though, how sexy or revealing is the part of the arm that goes from the elbow to mid-bicep (wear a Tshirt would end)?? What a hassle. But while I have your attention, skirts falling AT the knee are acceptable or a write-off? Might as well ask, and be sure. Are pants preferred to skirts? And is it true that with pants you should wear tops that cover your butt (tunics)?

[helenl]

As VS says - it depends on where you're working. At most HCT campuses for example, I know there are some who wear t-shirts that have sleeves that fall on the lower part of the bicep and skirts that end mid-knee.

I also know that if a student complains (or a conservative colleague) you will be expected to cover up. Why give yourself the aggravation especially if you're just starting out? What a lot of women do is buy cotton blouses (or have them made, cheap and easy) that double as light jackets (to the elbow) and wear the t-shirt underneath - at least that's what happens at HCT alot.

[rainlover]

And the skirts vs pants issue..? What is preferred in the workplace?

[veiledsentiments]

I too never figured out what anyone would find attractive about upper arms, but what do we know... remember back in Victorian times men would hyperventilate over the sight of an ankle.

Again... depends on employer if pants are even allowed. And, they are normally worn with tunic length tops to hide the curves. I never wore pants and all my skirts were to the floor. It wasn't a requirement at any of my employers, but this was the most comfortable way to dress with the heat outside... and the often chilly, over-AC insides. Pants (or trousers as they are called there) will NEVER be a preferred dress item in the Middle East. They are much more formal than we are. I am one of those American women who never wore anything but slacks - usually jeans - in the US, but when I got to the Middle East, I never wore them at all. (except in outdoor activities like hiking). My closet in the Gulf contained about 30 skirts, one pair of dress slacks and one pair of jeans. (yes... 30... loved those cheap tailors) I lived in those gauzy cotton skirts that ones finds in many catalogs these days and I used to go to Egypt regularly and buy up lots of cotton fabric.

Sweaters of any sleeve length wouldn't be worn much. Perhaps take a couple if you plan to travel during breaks. I kept a cardigan type sweater in my office for those days when the AC was at the correct temperature for preserving meat.

VS

[xray]

Hi ,
Have worked in the UAE in tertiay/private sector for 15 years and have never come across an employer that did not allow pants and have never felt the need or requirement to wear then with tunic lenght tops!!.
It is true that teaching situations here are far more formal but also you should look professional just because something is long and loose means it can simply look like a bag and that is not professional- a mistake made by many.The shopping is fantastic here with lots of options to buy long/er skirts if you need there is absolutly no need to go near bad tailors.

Schools may be different and have more stringent rules.

[veiledsentiments]

Well... ADWC didn't allow pants 15 years ago, while other branches did. It was up to the various directors and their personal whims. One can dress modestly in respect to the culture without looking "like a bag." Many make the mistake of dressing "professional" and the locals look at them as dressing like a tart (thus fulfilling their preconceived notions about us). It is all a fine line.

One must do research to find the good tailors. Fortunately, I always quickly found one that was fantastic and never once purchased anything in the overpriced malls - even though the choices are much better now.

VS

[michgreen]

Not sure which country you're from but there are a lot of Western shops (Gap, Zara, Marks & Spencers, Mango, Promod, Debenhams, Espirit, Benetton ...) in UAE. So, no need to bring everything. If you forget something, you can easily buy it in Dubai.

AT UGRU/UAEU Women's Campus (in Al Ain), you saw everything from the Salwar Kameez, tunic w/ trousers, loose linen dresses, to well-tailored suits both pant and skirt. Never saw anyone with a sleeveless top, most wore the 3/4 length shirts.

When you get to the UAE, see what everyone else is wearing on your campus and then make a shopping trip out to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

[rainlover]

Thanks for all the tips. I certainly took out alot of clothing I was going to bring. And that helps. I'm tall, so I like wearing long skirts, and even tunic style tops; although I don't many. But I'm getting the gist of what's acceptable.
I know there are several "western" grocery stores, but I have one question: can you buy Colgate toothpaste and Amercian brand deodorants (Lady Speed stick)? I can deal with local brands for shampoo or body lotion or whatever, but the toothpaste and the deodorant I don't settle for. So, should I stock up on these products, or can I buy them there?

[veiledsentiments]

I'd say bring a couple of each. Specific brands can be problematic or they may have Colgate, but not the specific taste you like best. You may see your favorite all over, but then when you need to buy it, nobody has it and it doesn't reappear for months. If I saw my preferred brands of things on the shelves, I would buy a couple, so that if I didn't see it again, I would have enough to last me until my next summer leave.

The same with favorite OTC medications. Same advice... though you will soon learn which brands are very similar - and much cheaper than from the US. Very few things require prescriptions and the pharmacists are very good. I still have friends bring me back meds from the Middle East because it is a fraction of the US prices. The one thing I never found good substitutes for was vitamins. I like my brands best, so always brought a year's worth in my checked bags.

VS
(If you are in the US right now... check out http://www.devalifewear.com/mm5/ They have lots of nice cool cotton things. They sew the clothing here in the US, so you may even be able to request a longer length if you call them.)

[MsParker]

This isn't a 3rd world country.... you can get Colgate, Lady Speed Stick, and a million other American brands ~ I live in the middle of nowhere and can get everything I need. I only need to hit up the "big city" for specialty stores like The Body Shop. The only thing I *haven't* found here is Aveda.

I'd actually wager that the selection for certain food and beauty products is better than Canada: Everything is imported, so you get great products from all over the world.

Do a quick google search for malls in Abu Dhabi, and you'll get a listing of all the shops that are here.

For good cheap clothes, try a place like Splash. Unless you're rolling in cash, then I guess Gucci is the way to go....

Save your baggage allowance for things that matter more than toothpaste.

[michgreen]

You've got Carrefour (French hypermarket), Waitrose (UK supermarket) Boots (UK pharmacy), and various other Western chains that sell stuff. I've even found Aveda products in a pharmacy in AL Ain Mall.

I wouldn't stockpile because you'll have access to a variety of Western products that you can't find back home (if you're from the US or Canada) and these tend to be much better.

[mimi_intheworld]

Wait, there's a Waitrose? Oh, how I miss Waitrose! That's it! Decision made! I'm going to UAE! (Now...someone hire me... Suppose I should do up that CV tonight!)

[crazycatlady]

is it possible to dress like i normally do, and then throw on something long and flowing over my clothes for teaching? like keeping a big tunic and skirt in my office?

or do you need to show up on campus fully covered?