Job Discussion Forums

chi-chi · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 127 Location: Back in Asia!

Just for those of you who don't know....2 American civilian employees of a military base were shot in Kuwait. One was injured, one dead. Please consider this people if you are thinking about taking work there. I'm not trying to start controversy or anything, but just want to post this in case anyone reading does not know.

Sunpower · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 256 Location: Taipei, TAIWAN

That was horrible news. These guys were in thier truck when it happened.

Any teachers have problems with threats or attacks over in the M.E.?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The attacks were horrible. But on reflection are you safer in the US or UK ? I read all these stories about crazed gunmen and snipers. Personally I feel safer in the Middle East than I do in the States or Britain.

Exercise precaution. Keep a low profile. But there is no need to develop the operational paranoia of a CIA operative !

Paul G · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 125 Location: China & USA

The city of Los Angeles has been averaging around 1.6 murders per day for the last year. While most of this violence is gang related, many innocent victims get killed in their crossfire.

Any murder is reprehensible, but things should be kept in perspective.

Sunpower · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 256 Location: Taipei, TAIWAN

Yeah, it's funny how we'd have a tendancy to feel more afraid living in a place like Kuwait.

But people back home in Canada would think that I was crazy to go live in, or even travel, a country like Kuwait or Saudi Arabia.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

As someone pointed out on the "other forum" you are more likely to meet a grisly end in a traffic accident in the Middle East than be shot by a crazed mujahid. And those people back home in Canada, GB or the US do not have a very good picture of what life is really like in the states of the Middle East.

Most important thing is to find a reasonable employer. If they start talking about sharing accommodation or anything like that - stay away !!!

bnix · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 645

As Scot says,it is important to get a reasonable employer, especially in the Middle East.And,as he says,if they start talking about your sharing accommodation with someone else....oh good Lord!Sharing can be pretty horrible anywhere,including Saudi,where there are enough stresses anyway,without putting up with an alcoholic or psychotic apartment mate.And as we all know,Saudi has its share of those in the ESL profession...

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

bnix, you never said a truer word. Saudi is full of westerners who would have problems functioning in a locked, maximum-security ward in a hospital for the criminally insane. Having said that, there are some okay people here. The locals are okay too. Do not fall victim to all the stuff you read in the yellow press.

zakiah25 · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 155 Location: Oman

IPETQ in Kuwait has an appalling record for sacking teachers admittedly both good and bad. I can remember a group of teachers who were sacked because they complained about their accommodation. It was situated miles out of Kuwait City and it had both a brothel and an outdoor restaurant (that played loud music and televised football matches until 4a.m.) on the ground floor.
No-one got any sleep and the teachers had to appear bright-eyed and ready at 6:30 am when the bus arrived to take them to work in the city.
So, if a scud missile happens to find a target in Kuwait hopefully it will land on IPETQ (late at night when no-one is in the building of course except perhaps old Captain Bligh and most ex-IPETQ ers will know who that is!)