Job Discussion Forums

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Easy to get on to Aramco you just need someone who lives there to sign you on.

Compare KFUPM to Aramco....a little bit like comparing Bangladesh to Switzerland

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Mountain ? "Jebel Dhahran" where the main buildings are is a hill rather than a mountain. It does not compare to ARAMCO but then I never did fancy living in the Canal Zone. That is what ARAMCO reminds me of. A place pretending to be suburban America.

In Saudi terms the campus is on extensive parkland wirh a fair number of mature trees and greenery. Nice place for walking, jogging or cycling. I would not say that about downtown Dammam. That is what we should be comparing it to, not the strange, sterile landscape of ARAMCO. Remember that Herbert's book "Dune" was inspired by 25 years working for ARAMCO !

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

It`s good to have all that nature (albeit arid) right there on your doorstep at KFUPM, and during the cooler months (November - March) outdoor activities must be quite pleasant - as working out solely in a gym can be soul destroying and boring after a while.

Is there a dress code for those exercising outdoors (legs covered) or do they (Saudi administration) tolerate minimalist outdoor clothing for exercise?

Ghost

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Shorts and vest are okay when out running. There is a notice on the door of the coop shop (campus supermarket) "NO SHORTS" .

Some of our more culturally inept colleagues ignore the sign.

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

That`s good that they tolerate western minimalist attire (for exercise).

The type of clothes worn by males in Pakistan and Afghanistan are also a good alternative (Khamees), as they are made of very light material and cover the whole body.

But it might be awkward for westerners to wear those sorts of clothes, although very practical and comfortable.

The more expensive varieties of the khamees are made with very good quality material and look elegant.

In Montreal, a few western converts to Islam wear those clothes, and report the benefits.

Ghost

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Even the most obtuse Englishman would know that skimpy shorts are not on when you are in a public place.

Mind you some of those from south of Tweed and Solway are pretty dim ! Especially the types you encounter EFLing in KSA,

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

That is true, about short shorts. But the longer shorts, so common today, which go down to the knee or below look decent, in my opinion.

In Canada, no youth would be caught dead wearing short shorts or speedos at the pool. It is all long short style, like the basketball players - sometimes the shorts are so long that they almost reach the ankles.

However, in general, it is true that the less skin on display, the more elegant the person appears to be.

Ghost

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:15 am Post subject:

Dear ghost,

" . . . the less skin on display, the more elegant the person appears to be."

Generally speaking, yes - but not if the person in question happens to be, say, Angelina Jolie or Charlize Theron (male observers) or, say, Brad Pitt or
Matt Damon (female observers.)

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:33 am Post subject:

I did laugh when I saw the Bangladesh - Switzerland comparison, but it shouldn't worry you, ghost. The living conditions at KFUPM are not by any means comparable to Bangladesh, but they are not the same as Aramco offers.

Just as in "real life", petroleum engineers do not get the same housing conditions as EFL teachers. Aramco is very nice IMHO, especially in the context of KSA, and most of us would be very happy to live there. Heck, most Saudis would be very happy to live there. However, the average EFL teacher, like the average Saudi, doesn't get to make that choice.

In my own country, I often drive by neighborhoods with houses that cost half a million dollars. I admire them, but as a teacher, I do not expect to be able to live in similar accomodations. I am happy with my own little house, which is affordable on an EFL teacher's salary.

Keeping this in mind, your KFUPM housing will be quite adequate and quite suitable for you.

Oh, and you might want to reconsider running around in Pakistani kameez garb. It might be comfortable, but everyone, including your employers, would find it funny and embarrassing. Embarassed

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

cmp is 200 percent correvt

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Well, next week I get that choo-choo train to Istanbul and then fly back to the KofSA. Can't wait. I have such a succesful and fulfilling life there, you see.

Not like thiose whingers and moaners who spend their lives complaining about their hosts.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

I wouldn't worry too much about the shorts thing...it is not really an issue.

Working out in the gym,playing squash tennis,running etc all quite acceptable to wear shorts.

I used to wear shorts to the supermarket and all.

Never an issue and never a problem in the Khobar region.

Just wear the long style shorts and you wont have any problems.

As a previous poster mentioned there are millions of rules in Saudi and they are universally ignored.