Job Discussion Forums

[Badar Bin Bada Boom]

I wouldn't be caught dead in Muslim-Bedouin dress. It's not in my contract and most people would think I look silly in it anyway. Western women wearing abayas? I've only seen it among some of those married to Arabs or those who see the light and get the "correct" religion.

[mimi_intheworld]

Some schools require an abaya (again, I don't work at the university level). Some require that Western teachers NOT wear one. In my school it's optional, but SO much easier. We are pretty evenly split among Western teachers: abaya or no. The more conservative/traditional the area you live and work in, the more likely you are to wear an abaya, either by choice or requirement. I live in AD City but work in a more conservative town out from the city.

Gus, the men are never required to wear a kandura. Shirt and tie, yes. Kandura, no.

[nov181983]

I'm currently living in the UAE and think it's worth the hassle of moving. I haven't worked in Saudi but have known a few that have. Some people enjoy it there, but I think very few people would choose KSA over the UAE. For me personally, I would need about 50% more salary to consider going there.

You can definitely save here as long as you don't live like a rock star every night. One thing to look for when you're applying for jobs is housing allowance. Some give a generous allowance, and you can probably pocket 25-50% if you get normal accomodation.

[helenl]

Be aware that some (not all) employers may provide a housing allowance BUT insist on cutting the cheque so that the employee cannot pocket the difference. Get clarification of the housing allowance policy up front.

Some people have tried to double dip (getting a housing allowance from their employer while their spouse also gets an allowance) - HCT for one will claw back any such double payments as will some other employers. Most contracts state you can't double dip if the spouse is also receiving an allowance or accomodation.

[Vancouver Vic]

Housing seems to be another way of cutting costs at HCT. Yes, there is supposed to be a housing allowance but no-one (at Sharjah) seems to know what exactly it is. Try getting a decent apartment. Mine is very small. However, I wouldn't want to go to Saudi.

[posh]

Re. Men wearing a thobe/dish-dash. I liked the comment in Lonely Planet for Kuwait. Don't dress as the locals as they will think you are taking the pi$$.

[veiledsentiments]

Just curious... but what exactly does "taking the pi$$" mean?

It doesn't exist in my English dialect. Does it mean "ridiculing"?

VS

[cmp45]

Yes it's an odd one, but I believe you made the correct inference or at least something along that line.

[johnslat]

I've run across it a lot - and not only on these forums. Apparently it's a very popular British idiom:

"To take the piss is an expression meaning to mock, tease, ridicule, or scoff. Take the Mickey (Mickey Bliss, Cockney rhyming slang) is a euphemistic way of conveying this expression where the word "piss" may be vulgar. This is most widely used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_the_piss

Hmm, might be useful in teaching articles - the difference between "taking the piss" and "taking a piss."

Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

[cmp45]

[veiledsentiments]

No... we're taking the pi$$ about a pi$$.

Is this thread locked yet?

VS

[Geronimo]

No - but I'm pi$$ing off anyway!

[posh]

Yep, you're on the money!

and you can also be on the pi$$ ... I'll leave it up to you ...

[nfig77]