Job Discussion Forums

nicki254 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 13

really? As in you don't have to do any tests? They just get a licence?!

Bin Shafted · Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Posts: 52

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

Nicki
If you want information about AAESS from a parents point of view then email
[email protected]

This is a group pf parents that fund raise for the school and help to support the school, parents and students. They also try to buddy new staff and parents who are new to Al Ain or the UAE.

Tom

nicki254 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 13

Hi Bin Shafted, thanks for the advice on driving. I am used to driving and I do drive in the UK when we're back there with my hubby in the car. However, I think you're right about getting used to driving in the UAE with some driving lessons, I think that may be the best option. It doesn't sound like it will take that long anyway.

Tom, thanks for that email address for the parents of AAESS it would be great to get buddied up with someone to get familiar with the place. I will definitely look into it.

Does anyone know a shipping company I can contact? Someone recommended..... don't want to lose my stuff as I've heard some horror stories!

About dressing, can I wear shorts? Sleeveless tops? I've heard it's a little more conservative in Al Ain than Abu Dahbi and Dubai but not sure what is showing too much.

Can anyone tell me the procedure on sponsoring my domestic helper?

Cheers again everyone for all the great help!

773 · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 213

Hi Nicki,

Here are some answers:

Does anyone know a shipping company I can contact? Someone recommended..... don't want to lose my stuff as I've heard some horror stories!

I highly recommend Allied Pickfords. I used them to ship stuff to the UAE from Taiwan and they were wonderful.

About dressing, can I wear shorts? Sleeveless tops?

No and no. You will need to cover your shoulders and your legs to below your knees. Also, tight clothing is frowned upon. Long skirts and loose tops are best in Al Ain.

I have seen expats in tank tops, but it does draw unwanted attention. Shorts / short skirts though are a very definite no-no. However, if you are at one of the hotel pubs, for example, you can get away with showing a bit more skin. Generally it's a good idea to plan on being conservatively dressed in public places where UAE nationals are.
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veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

Hi Nick.

If you have the full license from the UK or the US then you don't have to take a test, just walk in with a copy of your license and you (as a woman) should walk out in under 30 minutes with a new UAE license. (that is how long it took for my wife).

If you are indian, pakistani, egyptian, phillipino (etc... any non western appearing individual) they may mandate that you take the driving test. Most folks fail it a minimum of 2 or 3 times. (I have a friend who has lived in RAK for 2 years, and she has taken the driving course 5 times and failed the test each time. Usually the tester does not tell you what you did wrong... just "you fail.") So get the US/UK license and you should be ok.

The drivers here are pretty maniac, but nothing compared to when we lived in china. So just be defensive and pay attention to the people behind you (because they can come up on you FAST, and fully expect you to move out of their ways)

As for your clothing questions... as a woman, shorts and halters/sleeveless shirts are a big NO NO. You should always wear at least sleeves to your elbows, and something below the knees if you don't want the neighbors thinking you are immodest or immoral. YOu will get stared at (and maybe even spoken to) if you dress in less clothing. As a man, I get stared at anywhere I go in shorts (and I grew up in a desert, very comfortable in shorts) but here it seems like NO ONE wears shorts (unless you are a tourist).

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

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

nicki254 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 13

Wow! i'm totally blown away that it is that strict with dressing even for foreigners. I can't imagine always being in long sleeves and not wearing shorts in 40 degree heat!

Waht if you're at the beach.... bikini ok? Are you allowed to sunbathe.... sorry if hese are really dumb questions but I'm a little worried as everyone that replied said NO NO to shorts and sleeveless t-shirts!

Great, had no idea they enjoyed failing ppl so much, maybe will try and get onto an intensive in the UK at some point then. But that means I'd have to fly back especially for that.... rather expensive trip with the intensive course fees! So how is the driving so bad if ppl have to work so hard t pass the test!!??!! Very Happy

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

I suspect that the failing of people is about getting more money out of them. Laughing

Before you fly back to the UK just to get the license, check around and talk to Westerners who have done it. We often get to slip by on these things unlike the poor Indians and other Arabs.

As to the dress code, it is a Muslim country and it is a matter of respecting the culture. Al Ain is not Dubai. In fact Dubai is a complete anomaly and should never be used as an example of how one should dress or comport oneself in a Muslim country. Scanty bathing suits should probably only be worn around hotel or club pools where the general public doesn't get to gawk and drool. There may be some beaches around that have restricted access. Sunbathing also would only be possible in areas like this. Even if you have some garden around your housing, sunbathing should only be done if absolutely no one can see you.

Personally all of my blouses had sleeves to the elbow and my skirts all went to my ankles or lower. They were mostly made from gauzy cottons. And the reality is that in the extreme heat this is MUCH cooler.

VS

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Just my 2 cents worth! It's ok to wear shorts and tops with no sleeves in Al Ain - women out there do it all the time in shopping centres and in the streets. AAESS is definitely going through a bad phase - well, everyone is hoping it's a phase. The teachers at the school are demoralised by it all. The lower grades are fine, but there's nowhere else to send the kids out there, anyway. A new school, Emirates National School, started up and was getting along on the shirt-tail of the one here in Abu Dhabi, but now the Sheik has allowed the children of military personnel to attend for free, the local enrolment is too high to have it considered an international and English speaking school.

nicki254 · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 13

ok now i'm just confused! guess I will just play that by ear when I get there!!

Can I get some help with bringing over my domstic helper to Al Ain. I'm having difficulty finding out the procedure for Al Ain specifically as it says on many websites that different Emirates have different rules. I have heard that I will need to pay �1000 security bond or something and that we need to be resident in the country for 6 weeks before we can even bring our helper out with us..... anyone know if this is true? Any first hand experience?

Thanks for the Allied Pickford recommendation, I'm going to check them out.

Also, what's all this talk about AAESS having some problems? Surely all schools go through ups and downs.... why is it the talk of the town? Did something major happen recently?

thanks!

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

Hi Nick.

As a foreigner who is LIVING in the UAE, the customs dictate that women try to wear clothes that cover to the knees, and elbows, not too tight across the bust or bum.

If you were some tourist, you could (and many do) wear skimpy halters, shorts, bikini's. But you are not a tourist, you will be living here (and working here too. As such the students will get to know, the parents will get to know you.

Can you wear halters and shorts... of course you can. Who can stop you? If you want to flaunt it, you can do so easily Understand that the culture you are coming into has some pretty serious taboo's about women being uncovered. But it would probably be quite uncomfortable with all the looks, side long glances, and open stares (from men and women). You will literally be the talk of the "mall/shopping center/laundry/etc..."

With that said, most of my wife's friends wear tee shirt lenght (so middle of the arm) and capris pant length.

If you are out on the beach you can wear bikini's, even down to thongs... but understand the less clothing you wear the more you will be stared at, and the more intently you will be stared at... possibly even propositioned

al ain is more conservative than dubai (where you can pretty much wear whatever you want whenever you want to) and because you will be living in the community there you may want to be more modest to begin with.