Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2003 6:21 am Post subject: Hair today - gone tomorrow

Dear Mark100,
Well, some of us geezers don't HAVE much hair left to let down ( I, thanks to my genes, do - but since it's all white, or grey, these days, letting it down doesn't seem as tempting anymore ). As for " normal ", I'm not as sure as I once was that I know the definition of that word. Perhaps the best would be - what you're used to.
Regards,
John

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

John

If you are used to Saudi you have been here too long!!!!!

johnslat · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2003 7:06 am Post subject: How long is too long?

Dear Mark100,
Could be - do you think 19 years is " too long "? However, I'm taking my " Exit Only " in another 76 days ( but who's counting? ). Although it's probably going to convince any reader of this that I'm ga-ga ( or confirm it ), I've actually gotten a lot of satisfaction from my time here. I've worked for the same outfit all those years ( the Institute of Public Administration ) and enjoyed my job. I've been treated quite well, saved a lot of money, made some good friends, lost a few bad habits and picked up a few good ones. So, I've got no complaints - in fact, I think I've got a lot to be grateful for. This place certainly isn't for everyone - for some, one year is way too long - but it's worked out well for me.
Regards,
John

mehajaby · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 15

Actually I agree with the 'geezers'. Saudi is less expensive. My husband is from Bahrain and when we were living in Saudi his sisters used to come and visit us to do thier shopping because it was so much cheaper than in Bahrain.

The re-entry visa can get really expensive! As for the social scene, most long timers I met at Aramco just stayed put in their compunds and did all sorts of illicit things there. The fact that we were in Saudi didnt seem to hinder them at all!

But Bahrian is really cracking down on foreign hires. I mean my hubby is Bahraini, I have a CTESL, B.A. Hon LIng and 8 yrs experince, but couldnt get a work visa...... so you figure it out.

If somebody wants a middle east type salary, but still wants 'fun' then O would probably recommend UAE.

Of course you wont save as much.........

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

having visited Bahrain, I cannot see the attraction of working there for a much lower salary than in the K of SA. To me it looks like Saudi Arabia with cinemas and bars ! And it is MUCH more expensive.

Have you seen the posting from the guy who thinks he is doing well on 450 Bahraini Dinars a month ? Taxi drivers in Dhahran get that !

mehajaby · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 15

i know, i was making 7000 riyals part time, and i'm a woman! 450 dinars would barely cover rent!

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

Bahrain...fun?Get a life.Now, places like Poland and Thailand ARE fun...

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Having just visited Bahrain again I am astonished that people choose to go there. What is the attraction? Shopping malls. Drunks. Hookers. More drunks. Bars. More drunks. And did I say hookers ?

I am glad to be back in the Puritan normality of Eastern province KSA. The drunks here are behind closed doors. Usually but not always their own.

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

You say hookers like it's a bad thing.

medway · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

In favour of Bahrain....despite all people say about the seamy side, its a breath of normality to cross the bridge occasionally.

You are cordially invited to view some photos, mainly of Bahrain...

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/bffc/b19/

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Bahrain is a "breath of normality" ? Oh boy !

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

But Scot... are any of us on this branch all that 'normal?'

Makes you ponder which is furthest from normal - the average workday in Saudi or the average weekend in Manama...

VS

middleeast_not · Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 5

It is surely the most ''shithole'' in the world. There is nothing here, nothing at all but drugs and seediness. The poverty is shocking and everyone will rip you off.

I'm amazed at westetrners, when they have the choice of better places in the world, still come here to be tourists. Get a life.

mci · Joined: 11 Sep 2004 Posts: 56 Location: Oman

Hey middleeast_not,

It seems you are the one who needs a life. From your short, sloppy and vitriolic posts, you are obviously a bitter and resentful person.

Here's some advice : stare at this for 5 minutes -- Very Happy

-- and let feelings of warmth and happiness wash over you.

Cheers,

mci

Cdaniels · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 5:38 pm Post subject: Scot47

I was taking just a casual look around this forum, to see what people have to say about Bahrain and noticed this thread with scot47's many contributions. Thou dost protest too much, me thinks! I have no idea how bad the problems are there, but why would someone feel they have to make the same kind of comments over and over again? Why don't you stick to explaining why KSA is so good instead of putting down Bahrain? Perhaps you have some sort of financial stake in attracting people to KSA and away from Bahrain?