Job Discussion Forums

[carlen]

edit3d

[anaxiforminges]

I'll be taking my beachness elsewhere.

[Iamherebecause]

Shopping: there are always a few things you can't reliably find e.g. tampons. Even in international stores like Carrefour the supply of goods is unreliable so buy more than one of the things you like. I find for example they don't always have the coffee and breakfast cereal I prefer.

Dress? Skirts for work should be below the knee, and the shoulders and upper arms need to be covered; I have several blouses I wear for work which show my elbows but it's not a problem, they aren't skimpy.

If I am going to an expat social occasion, dressed like an expat going to a social occasion, I always take some sort of cover up (shawl, e.g.) not just if I am taking a taxi but also when driving myself: you never know when you are going to be involved in an accident and have to stand around waiting for the police.

Medications: check the rules. They have clamped down on pharmacies selling prescription only drugs such as antibiotics over the past couple of years so don't expect to buy just anything over the counter. There is a list of drugs which are banned here, and I'm sure I posted the link here once - includes anything with codeine in it for example. There is other stuff which is not widely available; if you need to bring it in make sure you have a letter of support from the prescribing doctor.

[Sunburnt Individual]

I can only speak for Al Ain:

1. I've read about some dress codes and basically my understanding is:
no crucifixes
clothing to the knees
tops covering shoulders, or is it the elbows?
loose clothing
don't show cleavage
what about footwear?

From my experience, if you're in an international school, western conservative dress is best, skirts and pants to the knees or lower (to your preference) and arms covered to mid-arm. In the GOVERNMENT schools, you can wear western clothes, but be conservative. pants/skirts down to the ankle, full sleeves, and no low cut tops. Abayas, sheilas, all that is optional. Wear whatever you like outside of school but be aware that the kids might see you.

2. I've also read about skype, some saying they CAN use it, others saying it is illegal and you CAN'T use it. If not using skype how much are international calling cards?

They've made it illegal but people still use it. However, I read somewhere recently that they're going to start tracking IP addresses and fining people. Not sure if that's true.

3. How does Ramadan affect you? No eating from sunrise to sunset, but what if you're at a school? Does this apply to teacher's as well or is there tolerance for Westerners?

If you're going to eat or drink, be respectful and do it privately. My students were curious as to why I didn't eat or drink during school in Ramadan and I said I wanted to be respectful. Earned me some points with them, actually! The bathroom was handy for a snack and the kitchen was always open to us, though, as long as we kept the door shut. You can grocery shop but don't eat in the store during daylight hours.

5. Western products....anything you wish you could have but can't find in UAE. In Korea we had problems with deodorant, advil, tampons, toothpaste, razors, etc.

You can get anything. Anything. A few fresh products like sour cream and certain herbs/brands can be unavailable for a few days before they get another shipment, but they always come in eventually. Having lived in Korea myself, I can tell you that the general necessity shopping here is definitely on par with the west. I've never had a problem finding any lady products.

4. Smoking/drinking, i've heard you need a license to buy alcohol, does that mean that you can only drink at home and bars? Not restaurants? What about smoking?

There are bars and clubs here in Al Ain but it's pretty slim pickins. Weekend trips to Dubai and Abu Dhabi are necessary if you really enjoy constant nightlife. There are a few places where you can buy bottles and take them home with you. It's a bit taboo in Al Ain to see a woman smoking in public. Nobody will grab it out of your mouth and stomp on it, but you'll get glares. It's fine in bars or places designed for a bit of privacy. I THINK most malls and such are non-smoking by law.



6. I've also heard it's hard to get prescription products into the country, such as pain killers, birth control pills, inhalers for asthma etc. Anyone have problems buying these things in UAE? Are the same brands available?

I've heard a lot of people freaked out about this but I've yet to know anyone that's had a problem. I'm a diabetic and came into the country with a bunch of bottles of insulin and over 100 needles in my bag and no one batted an eyelash. Pharmacies here tend to have everything, including drugs that were banned in some places...

7. English books and magazines?

You need to go to Dubai. Abu Dhabi doesn't even have much variety. A Magrudy's JUST opened a few weeks ago in the new Bawadi Mall in Al Ain but I don't know how well stocked it is. It's the only option in town.

8. English TV or DVD rentals?
There are tons of pirated DVDs available for minimal prices. Satellite is readily available and almost standard.

9. Dating? I've heard that public affection is a definite no-no.
I agree with adorabilly:
"Again it depends on the emirate. In Dubai things like hand holding are ok, just show some public decency.
This whole culture seems to have a big "don't ask, don't tell, don't do it in public" mentality.

I've found that the bigger worry is what your students may see if you're being affectionate in the public places like the mall because it seems like they're ALWAYS around and they tend to exaggerate or the story gets stretched way out of control. I shared a cab with a neighbor of the opposite sex and the next day a group of giggly girls asked me when I got married!

10. Buying clothing? Is there a wide range of sizes and styles?
You can buy anything, really. No kidding. There are all sizes, all colors, all styles... anything... including all price ranges. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the best options although again the new Bawadi mall seems to have a lot more to offer.

11. Censorship? How extensive is this?
They'll open your packages that are sent to you from overseas but don't send it to the crime lab or anything. People don't really talk government over here, but there aren't secret police. They'll edit any kissing or physical affection out of movies but leave in all the blood and gore as well as the cursing.

12. Apartments? Are they a good size? Ovens, dyers, dishwashers etc?
Size varies a lot, but everyone has a washing machine, oven, standard furniture and of course, AC. You won't get a dryer because you can hang stuff up and air dry it pretty quickly here most of the year.

It's not Korea at all.

13. Traveling within the country?
Easy. Taxis are everywhere and cars are affordable. If you're not used to roundabouts Al Ain can be confusing.

I've found that the most frustrating thing about traveling within the Emirates is that you never know when or where road construction is going to begin or end, which can make it hard to plan.

[wintermute2]

...thank you for the good question, meggiebea...I have gone through a lot of the postings here, and learned a lot!...I wonder if anyone knows if, as a male elementary teacher in the UAE, will I be required to wear a suit and tie?...shirt and tie?...open collar?...Jimmy Buffet casual? ...anyone?...thanks!

[helenl]

Probably shirt and tie would be the minimum acceptable from my observations.

[wintermute2]

...thank you so much, helenl...guess I will do some shopping this summer...UAE Shick is something I will need to research!

[Afra]

[johnslat]

Dear Afra,

Shhhhhh! It's a secret.

Regards,
John

[uaeobserver]

1. dress codes:
The UAE is not a cosmopolitan place. Modest dress is good. I've seen lots of people wearing subtle crosses. I'd advise men not to wear jewelry (it looks efimate). Women - no problem - but again --- graphic crucifix is not advisable.

Lebanese and CIS women can be embarassingly sexy in Dubai. You'll see the local women hiss at them when they pass by.

2. Skype works peer-to-peer. SKype out doesn't work so well. You'll need to download it before you come.

3. Ramadan is a time to lay back and let Muslims be Muslims..... Respect the culture, and do your own thing -----

4. Smoking during Ramadan is not a good idea. Otherwise --- there's too much smoking in the UAE (in my opinion). Alcohol --- varies by Emirate. NEVER drink and drive (not even a sip).

5. Every now and then, I really missed good baked beans.

6. Never encountered problems. I heard BCP was going to require spousal permission --- not sure if that was ever enacted. Obviously, that would make things tricky for single women.

7. Dangit --- customs always spoils Esquire, GQ, and Sports Illustrated.

8. English TV or DVD rentals? More than enough.

9. Dating? Don't have sex on the beach and ignore the police.

10. Buying clothing? Lots available. A little pricey at times.

11. Censorship? Depends on the issue. The National covered the torture tape. Religion is a more sensitive topic than politics.

12. Apartments? Bare bones --- but big.

13. Traveling within the country? Friends say the UAE beats Qatar, Saudi, Kuwait, and Bahrain hands down. There's places to go! (Oman!) In Qatar - you kind of get stuck on the island.

[wintermute2]

good info, uaeobserver, and thanks!...what is the deal with Oman?...I will be in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi. and am pretty darn new to all of this, but very excited...almost got Kuwait, but they lowballed/position-switched from the original offer...ah, well...Kuwait's loss is the UAE's gain...

[bluecatbabe]

1. Yes, dress conservatively and then see what the others are wearing.

Crucifixes worn as jewellery are not illegal as far as I know, but may provoke a reaction. I was doing a recruitment visit to a school with a Lebanese Christian colleague when a teacher in the Principal's office started praying aloud. She had spotted my colleague's rather discreet gold cross.

2. Dunno

3/4. Don't eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in Ramadan. You can buy food (including takeaway food obviously to eat on the spot) in the larger stores, but don't get seen eating it. This includes in your car.

Also, if you can avoid wafting the smell of your lunch around your Muslim colleagues (who will be very hungry) it's more tactful.

Careful on the roads just before fastbreaking (Iftar) - there are some madder drivers even than usual.

5. We long for unsweetened peanut butter and have even attempted to make our own. Most cream is UHT and not very nice.

Anything with pork in will be sold in a dedicated section of the store, usually with a separate entrance.

6. Certain drugs are available but very restricted. Someone I know who has been taking anti-depressants (Prozac) on prescription in the UK for many years was refused them at our local hospital. They could be got but apparently only by begging and pleading. So the patient stopped taking them.

Re: birth control, a female doctor in Oasis Hospital Al Ain refused a colleague a cervical smear last year, as the colleague was unmarried. She pointed out that she was divorced (ie not a virgin - the doctor was apparently afraid of breaking her hymen and getting sued by the family) and had been having spotting.

7. Magazine and newspaper censorship is laxer than it used to be - fewer black marker pen strokes covering bits - but the censors seem to be able to read English more than they used to - my International Guardian a few weeks ago had two pages torn out, I think because of disobliging articles about Dubai.

There is an excellent secondhand bookshop in Jumeira, Dubai - House of Prose - and I think they also have a branch in Abu Dhabi.

8. Plenty around

9. Loads of dating, but try not to come to the attention of the police. There have been a couple of high-profile prosecutions of expats for extra-marital sex (a criminal offence), but generally due to a tip-off by someone with a grudge. Don't snog publicly. In Sharjah, I wouldn't even hold hands with my husband.

10. Lots available and all the western clothing chains are here (with quite a mark-up on price). Fashions tend to be aimed at exceedingly skinny girls with 8 inch waists, mind you.

On booze - you sign a declaration for the police that you are not a Muslim and get a license which allows you to spend x amount on drink in any given month. You can buy it in desgnated grog shops, except in Sharjah, which I think is still dry. I don't think I've ever spent my full allowance. But shops are getting lax about actually stamping your license. Other than that, licensed restaurants are pretty much only in hotels, and the hotels also have pubs/bars... and nobody asks to see your license.

Ermmm - that's it. Enjoy!