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Need a reality check on an offer
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helenl



Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 1202

PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you're hoping to experience Emirati culture, then you'll probably be disappointed. Nationals do not mix with others except in very superficial ways. If you're looking to experience the culture of the subcontinent and Asia, you'll be in luck - nearly 80% of the population is expat, many from India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, etc.

Oman would be a better choice for a better chance at experiencing local culture.

In my experience, only the gay expat population "intermingles" on a more intimate level with the locals.
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Zoot



Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 408

PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've found the Emirati very hospitable, have made many friends, shared in the joy of births of their babies, been to their weddings, often in their homes and I'm not gay either! Students are keen to make you a part of their home lives and their parents welcome this. Of course, the risk you take is in offending them when marks are being allocated, but this can be managed with a careful approach. You can usually figure out before it's time to hand out marks whether they can be trusted to be sensible about this point.
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helenl



Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 1202

PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you mind sharing which Emirate you reside in?
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marianthelibrarian



Joined: 19 Apr 2009
Posts: 25

PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

After thinking about whether or not to reply to "D. Merit," I think I shall:

Actually, D, I am a rather gifted intellectual. Whether you consider that lucky for you is not my affair.

As for my particular situation, no, it has nothing to do with sunshine, salt, or sand, nor does it have to do with lowering myself (why in the world would you read that into my post?). It simply has to do with the fact that we are trying to have a baby, and that's rather difficult to do when one of us is in the UAE over two weeks per month.

But I didn't ask for advice about my situation or about the decision we have to take. I simply asked for advice about salary expectations for a specific set of qualifications and experience. Why you felt the need to vent whatever educational or employment frustrations you might have is beyond my understanding.

I have deleted my original posts on this topic, and once again thank those of you who responded substantively. As for you, D, thanks for making my first experience on this forum such a pleasant one. Have another read-up on Gricean pragmatics if you don't get the sarcasm.

D. Merit wrote:
Why is it obvious from your name that you have a Ph D?

Jeez - another gifted intellectual wondering if it's worth lowering themselves to come to the UAE.

Aint we the lucky ones.

Linguist_in_UK wrote:
Bottom line is I am primarily interested in jobs here because of our particular situation, not because I'm desperate for a job or necessarily need to live in the UAE.


Which of course tells us nothing whatsoever unless you tell us about your 'particular situation'.

Suffering from a sunshine deficit situation?

Need more salt in your shower water?

Have a teenager who is hoping to qualify for the sand boarding olympics?

Oh, do tell.
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm not sure what about your post rubbed our DM, who is usually not one of the nasties on here, the wrong way. You need a relatively thick skin when you post on a public board. Posters misinterpret... have bad days... are imbibing late in the evening when they post... and there are trolls that populate discussion boards just to pick fights.

Also this time of year, we have many posters who come on just fishing for information based on the rumors they have heard of big bucks in the Middle East. Information that they could find if they would just take some time to read the latest threads and/or use the search mechanism.

Your question was unusual and a bit cryptic you must admit. Laughing

VS
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D. Merit



Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 203

PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Linguist_in_UK wrote:
I am a rather gifted intellectual.


I'm sure I don't need to be 'nasty' for posters to draw their own conclusions, vs.


Have a good 'un.
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dear D.Merit,
Well, the qualifier "rather" was used, which would seem to indicate a certain degree of modesty.
In describing myself, I spurn such qualifiers.
Regards,
John
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