Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 5:47 pm Post subject:

Dear sharter,

But the old rule applies - if one finds the environment/culture/attitudes too distasteful, well, there are plenty of other fish (though, admittedly, few, if any, of those other fish pay as well) in the sea.

Besides,the Middle East does wonders for augmenting one's patience Very Happy

.

Regards,
John

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

I generally agree with sharter's observations. I was sorry to see the other thread locked, but I harbour the same feelings.

The biggest loss to the Gulf Arab's identity was the discovery of massive quantities of petrochemicals when there were, really, no nations to build. then, when the idea of "nations" were thunk up by the British, a way was devised to keep the Gulf Arab ignorant of Western ideas and, they were robbed, literally robbed of nation-building, the keystone of all successful modern nation-states.

There's no hope for them. They're used to the indulgence and the ideas that they're above all others in their country.

I remember when "Saudization" was at it's zenith, that we had this "switched-on" Saudi (boy in a man's body) routinely show up 20-25 minutes late. He was BAe-trained and had, somehow, been led to believe by his BAe handlers that the work day began when he closed his front door behind him...NOT when he was supposed to arrive at the office!

Boy! Let me tell you, the Saudi Airman Basics that I now teach in the US are really having their eyes opened to how the real world operates. It's good for 'em. I hope some of it rubs off at home.

It's a sad state of affairs!

Badar Bin Bada Boom · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 5:02 pm Post subject:

I see them [not necessarily from the Air Force] when they return to Saudi. The less educated ones never get a cultural education. They still see Jews under every bed and behind every closet door waiting to spoil the taste of their tap water. Oh yes, what you hear here is EXACTLY what everyone heard in the Third Reich.

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

Outside of Saudi, the big boogie man seems to be the CIA in so many of the countries. This always made me laugh since we think of them as such bungling Maxwell Smart types based on their "successes." I'm still surprised at how often we hear of the "commies" under every bush thing here.

VS

Ignatius Reilly · Joined: 30 Jun 2011 Posts: 29 Location: East of Suez

This type of news item is the one that tends to get dredged up every couple of years or so on slow news days and fulfils the criteria for what newspapers these days regard as news. I wouldn't take it too seriously.
However, It's a pretty good rule of thumb I've found to have as little as is humanly possible to do with anybody in positions of authority at tertiary institutes whether Arab or not. I've first hand experience of working at universities in Britain and in the Gulf and the higher a person is the greater their self-regard and the lesser their abilty to walk down the street and smoke a cigarette at the same time. The average departmental head certainly should not be entrusted with sole responsibility for the weekly supermarket shop and any higher than that probably need assistance with dressing in the morning.
As for the blame game? Yes, as foreign teachers we do tend to get the flak when the students fail to measure up to language standards and by and large it isn't fair but since I signed a contract to be indentured labour I find it not a good idea to complain. The students where I work are largely a delightful bunch and if I'm sometimes frustrated at their tardiness and indolence I merely have to reflect what I was like at their age- a by-word for idleness, tardiness and insobriety. Ah, youth! How I miss it.

Ignatius Reilly · Joined: 30 Jun 2011 Posts: 29 Location: East of Suez

This type of news item is the one that tends to get dredged up every couple of years or so on slow news days and fulfils the criteria for what newspapers these days regard as news. I wouldn't take it too seriously.
However, It's a pretty good rule of thumb I've found to have as little as is humanly possible to do with anybody in positions of authority at tertiary institutes whether Arab or not. I've first hand experience of working at universities in Britain and in the Gulf and the higher a person is the greater their self-regard and the lesser their abilty to walk down the street and smoke a cigarette at the same time. The average departmental head certainly should not be entrusted with sole responsibility for the weekly supermarket shop and any higher than that probably need assistance with dressing in the morning.
As for the blame game? Yes, as foreign teachers we do tend to get the flak when the students fail to measure up to language standards and by and large it isn't fair but since I signed a contract to be indentured labour I find it not a good idea to complain. The students where I work are largely a delightful bunch and if I'm sometimes frustrated at their tardiness and indolence I merely have to reflect what I was like at their age- a by-word for idleness, tardiness and insobriety. Ah, youth! How I miss it.

Ignatius Reilly · Joined: 30 Jun 2011 Posts: 29 Location: East of Suez

Speaking of general incompetence, I did not mean to submit my missive twice. I hasten to add that this was NOT in any way MY FAULT. I intend to establish a full inter-departmental inquiry as to how this could have happened and until it reports fully exonerating me and finding the true culprit I shall henceforth communicate by owl!

Badar Bin Bada Boom · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:55 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Ignatius, clearly a conspiracy is underfoot here and we all know who the CONSPIRATORS are !

Laudetur Jesus Christus !

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

What kind of owl?

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

Guttrah in a GMC Suburban · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 9:58 am Post subject:

At our place, we have around 200 teachers. Out of those, about 175 are Arabs. Out of those, only three are Saudi. A couple of months ago, one of the three Saudi teachers didn�t like the schedule he was given and didn�t show up for the first day of class. One of the supervisors called him to ask him why he was not in class and the Saudi teacher said that he preferred a different schedule. The superior asked him to come in and teach his assigned class because 25 students were waiting. The Saudi said that he wanted to speak to someone and try to get his schedule changed and that he would not teach the class he was given. What could the supervisor do? Nothing. In this great kingdom, Saudis can not show up, nor give notice that they will not show up for two weeks without ANY repercussions. How can we teach Saudi students with this kind of example that the students follow in their everyday lives? I have met many great Arab teachers here, but I can�t say that I have met a great Saudi one. It's a shame that my first post is negitive.

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

The only good Saudi teacher I knew had trained and taught for Defense Language Institute at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was there for six years and certainly picked up western work ethics. He was assigned as director of the language program where I was teaching and made a great effort to turn the place around.

Rather refreshing.