Job Discussion Forums

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

At my job in the UAE, when I get introduced to men from England (not anywhere else on the island), some of them tell me right away that they are married. I find this odd. I've never met a man from another place in the world who does that.

Then two other N. American single women, in the UAE, told me the same thing happens to them. All of us women are different ages and have very different personalities, but none of us say, "Hey, we are single and would like to date you." The men just tell us they are married.

Then last week I was talking to a man with an English accent in line at the supermarket, and he pointed out his family and told me he was married. Do men from England get hit on a lot? Are they afraid?

Is this odd, or am I? Ok, I am odd, but isn't this very odd?

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

That's the point. It is the first meeting and it really isn't getting "friendly."

Person who knows both people = A
Me = B
English man = C

A: Hello Mr Darcy. This is Elizabeth.
C: Nice to met you Elizabeth. I'm married.
B: Nice to meet you Mr Darcy. (What do I say then? "I'm single"? "Congratulations"? "How long?" "Thank you for sharing."?)

Man at supermarket: <He turns to talk to me>"This line is very long and I'm late."
Me: "Sorry to hear that."
Man: "Yes, that's my family over there. I'm here with my family."
Me: "Ok"

Not strange?

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

Yes ... we are all the same ... it's probably a side effect of the cloning experiments of the late 1940's and early 1950's ... to repopulate war torn England ...

Shakhbut · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 167

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

Like2answer...That's really funny! I don't know about these dashing Englishmen, but I, as an American who was handsomer when younger, got hit on only in Malaysia and Japan. Never here in the UAE. One thing I've noticed in the UAE...my Irish women colleagues at HCT were so wonderful--I loved them! Smile

And they're the only ones who liked me! So tell me, what's that all about?? Not that I got to know them very well...I wish I had.

By the way Like2...I'm divorced!! Note that down. Wink

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

I don't recall this happening, but I must say that I would consider it odd too.

Just as in Egypt, the first question that was always asked of a woman by an Egyptian of either sex was "How many children do you have?" Apparently all are assumed to have them and it is considered a safe area of conversation with a stranger.

I do remember a single American woman that warned me just after my arrival in the Gulf to beware the 'single' Brits... as "they all have a wife and family back home that they neglect to mention." Perhaps you are running into the honest men who don't want to keep that reputation alive.

But... in the supermarket line?

VS
(I agree with GN2 about the Irish... they were my favorite nationality to work and socialize with in the Gulf.)

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

...and the lasses are so hot and sweet! And that includes personality, voice, intelligence (except for one I knew, from Belfast, but too much perfection from one small island would be just too...perfect, right?)

redcliff · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 46

slightly off topic,

but when I was in Malaysia everyone seemed (anytime between the hours of 10 and 4) to ask me if I had "taken my lunch" ?

Apart from the odd verb choice I was never sure if I looked hungry or was being propositioned. Of course on the other hand the food in Malaysia is so good that any excuse to eat would be welcomed...

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

This has never happened to me.

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

Redcliff--About "have you taken your dinner" in Malaysia, here is a little excerpt on this topic from the Malaysia chapter of my as-yet unpublished travel memoir:

The first few days at our LNSU campus, I am puzzled by the Malay administrative assistant who keeps smiling and mumbling about breakfast. �Have you taken your breakfast?� he says.
What�s he talking about? I wonder, and why does he care if I�ve had my Cocoa Puffs? Is he inviting me out for some spicy Nasi Lemak? I�ve got class in ten minutes.
Then I get the same thing after work when I go home to my Chinese neighborhood, where a friendly neighbor asks, �Have you tekken your dinner?�
It�s all very mystifying, until I finally realize it�s all about food in Malaysia, so the language reflects it, even as a function of everyday greetings. Six to 10 pm--have you taken your dinner? After 10 pm, have you taken your supper? Back to work--have you taken your breakfast?
Back in the days of the British Empire, the locals apparently heard somebody say �how do you take your tea?� and they started generalizing �take� as in �Have you taken your dinner?�

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

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

helmsman · Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 58 Location: GCC

These gentlemen from the UK are missing out on a lot of fun by spilling the beans so soon.

I wonder whether they give out this information when they meet incredibly attractive women?

As for me, I am not in any hurry to reveal my married status, except to overly friendly men -- which I supect is what a lot of straight men do.

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

Uhm...I'm confused.