Job Discussion Forums

RbDib · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 3

I am coming to Abu Dhabi in a few weeks to teach. Of course, being a female, packing is a concern. Any females out there who have been there for a bit with some little tidbits on what clothes etc. to bring and not bring.
Merci.

Wigwam · Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Abu Dhabi

All female items are available as well as most medicines though you would be advised to bring any special medication until you get to visit your doctor. Try to get medical insurance that covers both your country and the UAE ( if not provided by your employer which should include maternity and international travel). In terms of clothing you are free of course to wear what you like in private or behind closed doors, on the outside be streetwise and do not wear anything too provocative unless you intend to wear an abaya (then you can be as bold as you like!!)All clothes shops are availabe here or in Dubai as are most cosmetics.
There are amny women's groups who can provide support.
Good luck

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

I've never run into any expat in the UAE who wore an abaya... just not done. Dress depends somewhat on your employer, but better to err on the side of caution and display as little flesh as possible. It is too hot for trousers IMHO, and I always wore long skirts and kept my sleeves to the elbow or longer. Abu Dhabi is a bit more conservative than Dubai where the high number of tourists means that many ignore the cultural norms. As to shoes, I lived in sandals all year around and haven't purchased hose/nylons since the 80's.

VS

Wigwam · Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Abu Dhabi

Hate to differ with VS about an Abaya. Many of my western friends choose to wear an abaya either at work or when out - it is done - by choice - most of my girlfriends love shopping and have amassed a large collection of shoes. Going out is fun too and there are a lot of clubs and restaurants that provide reasonable live music, theatre, comedy and there are numerous health clubs and fitness centres at different prices. If you want to indulge, you can choose the level. Abu Dhabi is like a small town, Dubai is something else!!

nomadykaty · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 60

I'm going to agree with WW this time. There are western women out there who do wear the abaya for what ever reason. Some of the MLI gals wore them and some still wear them in their new positions at HCT/cert.

What you wear depends on your comfort level and where you work. I work with some women who look they should be on the runway for Zara, Mango, or Banana Republic. Knee length skirts, tight pants, low cut blouses, high heels (and they're Westerners)... and we work at a university in Al Ain which is a conservative town.

You need to find out what the dress code is for your job.

Anything in linen is good. Baggy trousers, calf length skirts, 3/4 length blouses that at least come down to your hips.

Mainly items of clothes that give you a little protection from the sun and keep you dry from the humidity.

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

I will stand by what I said, which was 15 years working in the Gulf not only did I never wear one, the only western female that I ever saw wearing them were married to locals or were converts. There should certainly be no requirement for anyone else to wear them - perhaps at some of the small private Islamic international school in a small village?

As to our OP, there is no reason that you would ever need one in Abu Dhabi.

VS

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

I wonder what the OP has learned most from this thread !!

Wigwam · Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Abu Dhabi

Don't forget your toothbrush

antonia v · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 49

VS is right. Western expat women do not wear abayas in the UAE. No one expects them too, so they don't. As for dressing conservatively, yes, the conventional wisdom is that women should dress more conservatively than they do at home. At work women are smart to do so, but when going out and about you see women in shorts, tight skirts, skimpy tops. No one cares or raises a fuss. At clubs and parties, anything goes.

As for Abu Dhabi being more conservative than Dubai, this is something of a myth. Maybe it�s one percent more conservative, if you could measure such things. It's like saying San Francisco is more conservative than Los Angeles. If anything, Sharjah is more conservative than Dubai. Sharjah is dry and they actually have some ineffective regulations about dressing conservatively.

My advice to the OP is bring anything you want but remember it's hot as hell here most of the year. You won't need sweaters, coats, jackets, raincoats or umbrellas.

stoth1972 · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:12 pm Post subject:

Siding with VS on this. 3 years in the UAE, and the only westerners in abaya were converts, or married to locals. Perhaps, if you had some local friends, you might, on some odd occasion, wear one, but I personally never owned one.

I preferred trousers to skirts (if your legs rub together when you walk, you'll understand why). There was no grosser sensation than beads of sweat running down the back of my legs when I wore a skirt. ugh..

Natural fabrics. If you love something, bring 2 pieces of it (trousers, shirts, etc.) I recommend having clothes made while you're there, too.

I think trainers are still cheaper in the US (and a wider variety).

Wigwam · Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Abu Dhabi

All food is available at reasonable prices but not really cheaper
Music, books and newspapers can also be purchased though some magazines can be pricey. Companianship is easy though finding genuine, close friends can be difficult considering the transient nature of jobs and lifestyle. If you an artist of any kind, there are many opportunities to pursue these hobbies or to make income from them. There are churches here of many demoninations. Travel here is particularly good and safe in general including the buses and recognised taxis. If you drive bring your license.

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 5:40 pm Post subject:

Following up on the food....more and more N. American goods are available, but if you like certain dairy, frozen stuff....ouch. Costs and arm and leg. There are lots of great alternatives coming out of mainly Saudi Arabia, so the cost is reasonable. You just need to familiarise yourself with what's out there. Spinneys is the most expensive grocery chain, followed by Chouitrams. They also tend to have more foodstuff from the UK and US. Their produce is expensive, but there are cheaper alternatives.

RbDib · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 3

Thanks for all your input. You've all been a big help. I don't plan on wearing an abaya (for no particular reason) which is why I wondered about what clothing to bring. What kind of clothes do females wear when they go out? I've also read that air conditioning is everywhere. I usually freeze when the air conditioning is on. Is there a tendency for the AC to be put on the coldest temperature possible? Also, I am a flip flop lover. Are there others flipping about also?
Any and all tidbits are greatly appreciated. Keep it coming. Thanks so much.

stoth1972 · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:34 am Post subject:

Bring some cardigans. You'll freeze in the A/C. Most of your 'going out' clothes from home will work for abu dhabi and dubai. Many women (myself excluded) wear sleeveless tops, shorter skirts, etc. Cool jeans and trousers that work for home will work for the nightlife there. People tend to dress up more in Dubai than they would where I'm from in the US, so I would take a few great pairs of black trousers, shirts you would wear out...etc. I do think this is def. evening wear, and therefore more acceptable at night than in the classroom. Flip flops work, though most employers in education don't prefer them (professional dress includes sandals, but not the old 'thong' shoe).

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

Flip flops are fine for casual wear, but inappropriate for professional wear.

At one university where I taught, flip-flops were mentioned particularly as inappropriate to wear during Ramadhan - which we found odd as no one except one rather slovenly computer dept employee had ever been seen wearing them on campus.

Things may have changed but flip-flips were considered something only worn by the Indian cleaners. They have become fashionable in the West in the last couple years, but I suspect that they may still have a class stigma in the Gulf.

VS