Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear rollingk,

"I'd thought this forum was about more than merely surviving in the gulf."

First - there are many threads on this forum dealing with many different matters other than survival

Second - but surviving (in the sense of lasting in Saudi) is, I'd say, paramount and essential. And it's something a good number either can't do or have a lot of difficulty doing. A few come and want out immediately; others do "runners" during the first year; others last a year and call it quits.

Of course, there are some, maybe even many (but I kind of doubt it) who manage to adapt and stay there for quite some time. I believe scot47's tenure was either 17 or 18 years; mine was 19 (although, to be honest, I did take breaks in a vain attempt to preserve my sanity )

Survival certainly isn't all there is, but it's probably the most important part of "life" in Saudi for many/most.

Regards,
John

[scot47]

I did 17 years - but not in one chunk. It was spread over the period 1970-2011, 4 different employers - and the best was the last (KFUPM)

1970-1972 Min of Ed Secobdary School
1990-1991 SAMAREC (now ARAMCO, formerly PETROMIN) through Contractor Kazelli
1996-2002 Saudi Arabian Airlines
2003-2011 KFUPM, including two years at HBCC

It got easier as I got older, and was easier sober than drunk. The last job was the best.

[PattyFlipper]