Job Discussion Forums

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Sometimes the world is a mirror....

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

Hey BD,

As rabble-rousers go, there have been much worse on this board, I'd say. Laughing

And as a parent yourself, perhaps you could relate to his worries???

VS

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Bebsi has just returned from a long sojourn in France, so if I say something utterly stupid please forgive me as the full effects of the trip have not as yet worn off Shocked

To address Redafiya's concerns, I would say that the ME is largely a very safe place for expats. Worry is indeed in the mind of the beholder, as someone just said.

I was in KSA up to a year ago. I left for a number of personal reasons, but I must admit at this point that one of them (not the main one, however) was the whole issue of security after the Al Khobar and Yanbu attacks. I allowed myself to get drawn into a collective overreaction.

When back at home in eastern Europe, where I now live, I reflected on my situation. I wasn't sorry as such that I had left, as various factors which had nothing to do with security had prevailed; however, I felt rather foolish for having been as concerned as I was about the security issue. Later that summer, 2004, a fatal attack on an Irishman (my own nationality) took place in Riyadh. As far as I am aware, that was the last of the attacks on westerners. I won't go into what I believe are the reasons for the cessation or easing-off of such attacks...maybe a later posting!

Later in the year, I was back at home in Ireland on some business. While there, I was told by my ex-wife that she had been recently involved in an armed robbery. [It's the cost of living there, she had no choice!!!!!!!!!!! Laughing

] Seriously, though, she had gone into a rural petrol station at around 8pm, and was standing at the counter when a trio of armed, masked raiders entered. One shouted "get down on the ground, you fucking bitch" while he shoved a sawn-off shotgun in her face. It sort of shattered the rustic image of rural Ireland, not that I had any prior illusions.

I was sitting in my hired-car a few days later, at around 1am, outside a take-away, eating a Kebab. In the space of half an hour, despite the active presence of police, young thugs started fights and in all cases, started kicking victims on the ground, with bloodshed on at least one occasion. In one case, when the cops tried to drag a guy away, he simply turned and punched the lawman in the face.

These incidents are of a kind I have NEVER witnessed in the ME. Yes, I have seen and heard noisy youths running around on the streets of Saudi on weekend nights, but never engaging in violent behaviour. The security measures and technology that one sees in the west, are absent in the Gulf, simply because they are generally not necessary. Recently in Paris, I discovered that hotels insist you pay in advance or give a credit card number, as they have been stung so often. I saw telephones in rooms BOLTED DOWN (TV zappers also), and minibars are rarely if ever available. That struck me as a pretty anarchistic sort of scenario. Even Romania, which has a reputation for crime (greatly exaggerrated, I would add, by the western media) does not have the sort of crime levels of the west.

In essence, I would have no hesitation in saying that the Gulf countries are by-and-large, a far safer and more wholesome place. There is some anti-American feeling...well, lots in fact...but not towards American or British people, only their leaders. As a previous poster has said, they too understand that we westerners have no cntrol over our leaders' actions.

I have spent a number of years in Saudi and can unreservedly say that they are very warm-hearted, hospitable friendly people who will turn to help in an instant. In smaller towns in KSA, many people will greet you in the street with a big "Assalaam Aleykum", and I mean this as westerner. There is no animosity. I wish the same could be said of Paris!!!!!

Earlier this year, I spent a few months in Qatar, and was there when the Doha-Players explosion occurred. It was, it appears, the work of a lone fanatic, an occurrence not unknown in other parts of the world either Sad

There has not been any other incident. Qatar was a place that I found to be very safe, quiet and peaceful. Crime is virtually unheard of. I got into the awful habit of never locking my car!

Finally, Redafiya, you mention a wife and child. Well, if you want a family-focused and -friendly environment, you couldn't find better than the Gulf. If you are thinking of going there, go for it. Your wife may get a bit bored in places like KSA, but that is a matter entirely removed from safety and security issues.

If you have any specific queries, please feel free to PM me.

Bebs.

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

Well said Bebsi, I couldn't agree more! Smile

Having lived and worked in several countries- including those in the Gulf/Middle East. I can honestly say that I feel VERY safe here in the Gulf.

redafiya · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 33

Qatarchic and Bebs -- thanks so much for your advise, and I will PM you soon on the topic. I do appreciate it.

Thanks to the others too, for your insights. All of the above makes my wife feel much better about a move to the Gulf.

Thanks all. Any more comment and insight appreciated.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

How would you suggest that we could measure this "anti-Western feeling"?

Should I go down the Souk and ask people if they hate us ?

redafiya · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 33

well Scot, I am not in any position "to suggest" any approach -- ( especialy since I was last in the Middle East in about 1982 ) and neither am i fishing for a preconceived or agitatory one at all -- I am simply asking, because I know that from when I lived in Asia ( for ten years ) Africa ( for 16 ) and in Europe ( for around 15 ) then one can sense a zeitgeist, and judge a mood quite accurately -- absorbed through listening to students, observing the press, feeling moods on the street,eating in local cafes, friends comments etc.... I am glad for people's insights so far, esp qatarchic and Bebsi.

I will be applying for jobs soon.

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Consciousness raising is a process that may appear to be rabble rousing, but it is not always exclusively aimed at the rabble.