Job Discussion Forums

[uaeobserver]

[Iamherebecause]

[Iamherebecause]

[uaeobserver]

Fair enough on the "beg to differ" point -----

Notice though, what s/he didn't differ with........

Brace yourself ---- enjoy the chaos --- it does beat unemployment.

[veiledsentiments]

[johnkg]

I carry around several stapled passports (mine, kids'...) and have never found it a problem - That's 8 passports in total. They aren't the biggest and heaviest travel items, especially if you're single.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I have a question for any knowledgeable USAians out there reading this thread. I felt like starting a new thread called "Navigating the Labyrinth Myriad of 'Merican Modals"...but decided against it.

Here's the question:

Do you have to have your passport renewed overseas if you are an overseas resident? I wuz all set to go back and have it renewed in the States over the long summer holiday...even bribing my own government to "just do their jobs" by paying the $60 "expedite fee"....just to get the nose-breathers who inspect my passport on return to NOT see the "U.S. Embassy Riyadh" issuer notation on the personal page...thereby confusing them.."This here says that this here passport was issued in SAW-DI-ARABY, yet you claim to be a 'merican citizen. Jes' what kinda scam are you trying to run here, boy?"

When researching on: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html

I read,

From Outside the United States:

U.S. citizens residing abroad (except those living in Canada) should renew their passports at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.

should

Then, after filling out the .pdf and printing is out, I read in the legaiize:

"United States citizens living abroad CANNOT (their all caps, bold, enlarged lettering...apparently for all of us moronic, drooling USAians living abroad as, you'd HAVE TO be stupid to live outside the US, right?!?) submit this form to the Passport Facility listed on Instruction Page 2."

CANNOT

Finally going to the local Embassy webpage: http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/adult_passports.html I read:

Adult Passports

Individuals 16 years old and over receive 10-year validity adult passports. To apply for a passport, you may come to the Embassy during American Citizen Services public hours...

may

So, in sum, I jes' want to know jes' which the hell is it:

advice = should

prohibition = CANNOT or,

permission = may

Oh, and one more question:

If I can get my 18-year-old non-studying students to learn the difference between these lexical items...what do you think my chances of success in getting US government bureaucrats to achieve similar success?

NCTBA the befuddled

[johnkg]

a margarita too many?

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

No, one modal too many! I'm trying to get all vestiges of foreign residency wiped offa my "personal page" and my government...seemingly...won't allow it!

NCTBA

[johnslat]

Dear NCTBA,
From your ranting at the befuddling language employed (at minimum wage, by the way) by the US government, it's quite clear that you are not a modal citizen.
Regards,
John

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Ah, John! I knew that you'd come to my rescue...or did you? This is what typically comes of bureaucracies where the right hand doesn't understand what the left hand is doing.

Unfortunately, what typically comes of it is an incompetent nincompoop comes to a firm decision usually at your expense and invariable on what makes his/her job the easiest. namely getting "you" outta his/her face! And because, "those are the rules, sir!"

God Help Us...God Help Us All!

NCTBA

(BTW...can ya tell I'm just days away from the Summer break!)

[johnslat]

Dear NCTBA,
Why did you download ANY pdf form?

"From Inside the United States:
To renew your U.S. Passport by mail, you must submit Form DS-82, Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail. Locate Form DS-82 and step-by-step instructions at Form DS-82: Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail."

From what I read, the only pdf forms on that page are for renewal inside the USA or if you're in Canada.


"U.S. citizens residing abroad (except those living in Canada) should renew their passports at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate."

I renewed my passport in Riyadh twice at the American Embassy there. I just brought my old passport, got my photo taken there, and was issued my new passport.

Regards,
John

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Yes, John. And, I understand you completely. Here's my thing. The last time I renewed was in 2000 in Riyadh. I seek to get any remarks of my ME connection offa my "personal page" as I believe that this is causing me difficulties when I travel in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

And you quote from their website, as do I, the modal "should" which, in this case, I believe, connotes advice. If they wanted to connote a stronger message, might I suggest "shall", which is synonomous with "must"...and, in that case, I am outta gas.

However, "advice" can be heeded or not. Their English does not serve their message well. It gives people (O.K., ME!) the feeling that I have a choice. Silly me, in this day and age thinking that I still have a "choice"!

Herein, lies the crux of my disappointment and frustration...

NCTBA

[johnslat]

Dear NCTBA,
OK, I see what you mean. But wouldn't you have exit/re-entry visas from the UAE in your "new" passport anyway? And if so, wouldn't they arouse suspicion among the nincompoops who apparently think that the Saudis can issue a US passport?
Regards,
John

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Yes, yes, yes...of course you are right as I've already mentioned to my wife your same logic...now we descend into the circular argument... I JUST KNOW that this will end up, as I said before, by gov't. workers taking the path of least resistance which, of course, will be to my detriment. Sigh...

NCTBA