Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:59 am Post subject:

Dear veiledsentiment,
"Flipper" - a derogatory term for Filipino.
Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Ah... lovely... Rolling Eyes

Especially offensive to such an overwhelmingly kind, professional, hard-working group of expats.

VS

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:18 am Post subject:

heavie · Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 8

Thank you ladies, one must be politically correct and racially sensitive in the Kingdom of Humanity. Basic human rights and civil liberties are core fundamentals of the great kingdom.
It's true the immigrants are the only decent thing in the country.
Reality ladies, reality, the way it is, not the way it should be. Lets deal with non-fiction writing here for the benefit of these poor souls who are about to undergo " a very unique experience, different fom anything you can experience anywhere else in the world" to paraphrase one poster on this thread or in my language " a sh*thole".
Returning to the original theme of this thread, there is some amount of wasta required to tranfer business visas to igamas and this should not be expected as the norm. If you have a business visa, plan for dealing with life in saudi on a business visa and do not expect to have an igama in 2-3 months, but as some posters have said, it is possible.

Grendal · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:06 pm Post subject:

I had a busyness bs visa and remember waiting in the line at one of these money places where all the labour folk also go. It was really hot despite the fact that the air conditioner was going full tilt, probably cause the line went out the front door onto the street and the place was packed.

After waiting a couple of minutes in a line that was moving very slowly and looked like it would take two hours to get to the teller, the bank security guard approached me and signaled me to follow him. Well I thought that I had done or worn something wrong when I suddenly realized that he was moving me right to the front of the line asking the person at the window about to do his exchange to move back so that I could be next.

Well this put me on the spot and as soon as the guard left I felt an obligation to apologies to this person (in English) and he returned with a simple "no problem" reply. As I scanned the faces of the others I had just passed in line I noticed no expression at all and everything seemed quite normal to them.

My little bank experience.

Grendal

heavie · Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 8

I also call Americans yanks, British Brits and Irish Paddies. Get a life all of you, and also only the person who uses the term can tell you whether its meant in a derogatory tone or not, its not defined as derogatory, which I wont.
PC is just SO last year.
It's not always black and white "OOPs" there I go again. Black!!!, thanks guys I'll get help.

Grendal · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:02 pm Post subject:

Well if you want to you can use all these names to refer to nationalities but tone of voice or not you are still being insensitive. Does being in Saudi mean that we have to forget about respect and dignity just because all the worker folk are being treated disrespectfully and in an undignified fashion? I guess if you grew up in Detroit, East LA or Harlem you can say certain things to another fellow homie that might not be construed as racist because they understand the context it is being used in.

We are not home boys here and as such would like to refrain from such vernacular. My eyes are wide open and I have been smelling the coffee all my life and I know a cop-out excuse when I see one.

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

Hi, just joined in so I guess I�m a rookie and happy to chat with you all as I�ve been reading some very useful comments and suggestions on KSA.

I am also going with the ISM-EDEX group to KAU, Jeddah and even though it is my first time working there I was posted in the ME for two years some 20 over years.

I was told we could get our money transfered to our own bank account, if by Swift you only need an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) cheap, easy and quick and can even negotiate a smaller commision with your own bank locally. I am going to do it with SR �cause they fluctuate a lot less than the US $. A sudden change can cost you dearly, just get out your calculator and do the maths !

Grendal · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject:

linda467

The Saudi Riyal is pegged to the US dollar at a constant 3.75 SAR to $1.

you don't need to send in riyals they'll probably change it ti US dollars anywho.

Grendal

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

I�ve already checked with my local bank (actually a Savings and Loan) but pretty large and with offices overseas and I can do it this way.

As far as I�m concerned I will rather have SR into Euros - I�m on the Eurozone) than US $ - sorry guys for as much as I like you the money goes up and down so much on a daily basis it scares the heck out of me Sad

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:30 am Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

rigel · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614