Job Discussion Forums

007 · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:26 pm Post subject:

"Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change"

"Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery." Laughing

Not me, this is from Malcolm X in 1965, may God bless him.

Van Norden · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 409

007

[quote="Van Norden"]

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

ALPH · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 87

are you really ALL 'Bloke', bje. or have you 'changed' ?

Miss TESOL · Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 47 Location: TESOL

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject:

I didn't get the impression that the OP is warying to censor dialogue on this board or elsewhere, but rather was addressing the fact that far too many people come to KSA, happily take Saudi money every month, and yet seem to spend every waking minute slagging off the country and its people.

To listen to these folks, you would swear they had been kidnapped in the night, taken away from their blissful existances in Brisbane, Vancouver or Minneapolis, and forced at gunpoint to spend a year (or ten) among the Bedu. When in fact, these people have decided that, for financial and/or personal reasons, KSA is the best option they have at this given point in time. Sure, it might not be their (or anybody's) idea of a dream location, and such people may feel resentful at the fact that their own financial situation has obliged them to spend time in a country they despise, but that is entirely their problem. They should not attempt to inflict the psychological consequences of their own choices on their colleagues, much much less on their students.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

Am I the only person who finds the OP not only arrogant but clumsy in style? For example ''convert Muslims into Christians''. If you dared you might try to convert a Muslim ''to Christianity''. Or am I wrong?

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

Van Norden · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 409

The_Prodiigy · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 252

Queen of Sheba advised

1. Don�t come to Saudi Arabia looking to convert Muslims into Christians, if wont work and it is against the law.

On the contrary, it is traffic all the other way.

All Saudi citizens are required to devote themselves to Islam.
Result ? A steady trickle of students foisting The Koran/tapes/pamphlets/Islam teachings, coupons, mugs and fridge magnets on you.

Queen of Sheba · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 397

Queen of Sheba · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 397

moonpie · Joined: 30 May 2003 Posts: 71

11. If you are a western Muslim convert don't come to Saudi Arabia and tell these people how to do their religion!

12. If you are a child molester, don't molest these children!

13. ultimatums do not work when dealing with the Saudis so don't tell people over you that you will leave over an issue concerning living conditions.

Van Norden · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 409

28. Find what works for you.

I remember coming here thinking I'd do it very hard. I was used to the good life in Japan and I had big doubts whether I'd make it here. But I had to come. I was at a dead-end.

So, I spent my first 2 years keeping busy, lots of exercise and sports etc. I was keeping the demons at bay; running away from them. I'd go to bed exhausted at 8pm every night and be up at 4 or 5 the next day.

Then I went through my cooking stage. Baking bread and cakes, making my own pasta, grape juice, etc. This was fun for a while.

Then, mid-way through my sentence, I did a U-turn. I started doing nothing. Absolutely SFA! Don't ask me why, it just happened. And that's been my modus operandi ever since. I know I'm in a rut now but I just can't find the energy or will to get out of it.
I've got too much energy to switch off my mind
But not enough to get myself organised.

It's a strange prison sentence this: you're locked in, not by wardens and bars, but by your own determination to make money. For me this is as real as any padlock.