Job Discussion Forums

[lyndalorient]

Hi Every one.

I have asked alot of people and done a web search on this. Most of the people when talking about dress code refer to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

However I am going to Al Ain which I understand to be much more conservative.

I talked with a girl similar to my self in appearance (blonde 22 petite) She said anything can go really for westerners (provided its not mini skirts or low cut tops)

There is another lady in Al Ain now and she suggest covering up all the time ie high collars, covered to the wrist and showing no leg. She says people keep staring and she feels uncomfortable. She says all the women wear the veil and she feels so embarressed and exposed when wearing normal clothes.

Is it really nessecary to have to cover up like that?. I think its possible this lady is home sick and maybe over reacting but i d still like to be warned in advance what its like

As when I visted Tunisia (admitidly much more liberal) I covered my shoulders and wore floor length skirts. To my huge surprise this was not at all nessecary as even Tunisian girls were going around in Bikinis and normal summer clothes. If anything Tunisians were wondering why my dress sense was so conservative around them.

I am packing now and trying to figure out what is best.

Can I ask the ladies on the forum to tell me if this would be ok considering al Ain is a bit more conservative than Dubai?

For school I have

-Black/beige/brown trousers
-Black white trousers (is acceptable to show the ankle whilst teaching?)
-Blouses to elbows
- long skirts
I am a bit stuck on what tops to wear in a classroom setting as I have to take the heat into account. My plan is to wear normal western tops but covered by cardigans. Is that acceptable as long as its to the elbow and doesnt reveal too much cleavage?

For socialising and out side of school I have

-knee length skirts
-Capri pants
-Dress (sleeveless but if I cover my shoulders its ok isn t it?


Also for bed time (again ladies would know this)

Should I bring normal pyjamas or very light? As I know air conditioning can be so strong.

Also Is air conditioning as strong as in the US. In florida I would be boiling one minute than frozen once I went into a shop. Is it like that in the UAE?

Also with regards jackets. What would you recommend? Normal black knee length, waist length? Or are jackets even needed in the heat. In any case I have to bring 1 jacket as I will be frozen in Dublin airport as we our having our coldest summer ever.

With regards fashion (very important) My friend in al ain told me there are great clothes so cheap and i shouldn t buy anything in Dublin as its such a ripp off there. But would the clothes be western in style?

Are colours like red and pink ok in work setting? again I heard wearing red is like a come-on signal.

Finally with shoes. Is it ok to show the toes? Its not considered disrespectful in more conservative towns. As I heard they assosiate flip flops with lower class. maybe its not true. In any case I d really appreciate some advice for living in a more conservative town.

Thanks in advance

[veiledsentiments]

Lynda,

I think that I would disagree with your friend that anything goes in Al Ain. It is a more conservative town and all the local women will be swathed in black other than their hands and their feet. I tend to think like the other woman, although I didn't go quite as far as she did. I kept my sleeves to the elbows and only wore long sleeves during Ramadhan (which is coming very soon by the way). But, the continuous staring of the men does bother some people more than others.

You can't compare it to North Africa at all... totally different culture and local dress code. When I was traveling around Morocco one summer, I was dressed much more conservatively than the women in Rabat or Casa.

Your work dress list sounds fine. For me the key to tops was sleeve length and not form fitting. Personally I lived in cotton. As to the casual dress list, it depends on where you are going and who will be there. Too much skin shown on the streets will bring unwanted attention.

You will control your AC in your flat, but remember that it can get chilly at night during the winter. So I would bring sleepware for all temps. And yes, everywhere tends to set their AC on total freeze!! I normally carried a light sweater... good for chilly buildings and to cover up in case of unwanted attention. You will probably only need light jackets.

I always wore whatever color I liked. As to the clothes shopping, I hear that it has improved, but I never saw anything I liked. I always took cotton fabric and used the cheap tailors. I wore sandals 365 days a year... flip flops are for the beach (and servants) ... and birkenstocks are for hiking...

Just my take...

VS

[stoth1972]

You will not likely be able to control the AC in your classroom, and it will FREEZE you out. Be sure to take a cardigan to school with you. Choueifat's big thing is that when you reach your arm up to write on the chalkboard(not whiteboard!) that your back is not exposed. They can be funny (and this varies from school to school) about 'cropped' trousers. Capris are out of the question, but even some of the school admins complain about the 'just above the ankle' look. No sandals that separate toes. Because the AC is so chilly you may want to choose your tops carefully (ahem). Sounds mad, but a male observer employed at the school told one of my colleagues after observing her that he could see her nipples through her shirt. Consider that you'll be leaning over desks all day, too, when working w/ the kids. There's a good chance you'll teach 8 hours of some other subject besides KG1 (i.e. older kids who need extra English). Wearing western tops that aren't too clingy or low cut w/ a cardigan should be fine.

Like VS, I think I wore sandals constantly. I think the woman you corresponded with may have been a bit overly sensitive. Sometimes it takes a while to get used to the culture, and yes, certain people stare more than others. It really isn't about your hair or your neck, but perhaps because you look unique to them.

Take some items for cold weather-you may want to travel to other countries during the holidays. Good luck, Lynda!! Report back with details on this board!

[veiledsentiments]

The majority of my blouses were made by my various tailors... two pockets in the front.

VS

[lyndalorient]

[veiledsentiments]

Do keep us posted!! Pack your patience as most things do not go as smoothly as one wishes.

Good Luck!!

VS

[stoth1972]

It's always nice when a thread doesn't end in insults, ladies!

[Zoot]

Don't show skin or underwear at work - that's basically all you need to know. Open toe shoes are fine. Don't bring any winter clothing at all and all colours are acceptable. I wear shorts and sleeveless tops when out during the day in summer. All the women I've spoken to here say the only clothing they realllllly like is that from their home country, but there's heaps to buy here and in fact you're more likely to find suitable work clothing in Al Ain than in your home country. As far as clothing to be worn outside of work hours - bring whatever makes you happy and wear it without concern.

The UAE is a multi-cultural country with people from 135 different countries who all wear what they feel most comfortable in - so the Indian women wear the sari and no matter what their age, skin is well and truly exposed.

Work is the only place you need to be concerned about.

[773]

This discussion has been really helpful...my husband and I are headed to Al Ain too, in two weeks, and can't wait! We'll be working for UAEU.

I am back in the US now and have been trying to buy clothes for work and have been a little confused about what I need, too, especially when it comes to tops. It's hard to find shirts that are conservative enough while made of material that will be good in the heat.

For teaching, in general, must the tops simply cover the shoulders (like short sleeve blouses), or go all the way to the elbow? I bought a few nice tunics that cover my shoulders only, and am unsure if I can wear them to work (maybe just for nights out or trips to Dubai)...also, how long should skirts go, all the way to ankles, or are just below the knee or mid-calf ok? Long skirts that are semi-attractive have been challenging for me to find for some reason...I have a few that are mid-calf and a few just below the knee.

I plan on buying more pertinent "work clothing" when I get there, once I can see first hand what the story on clothing really is! But, I am wondering if what I have bought so far can be worn or not....Thanks everyone!!!

[helenl]

sleeveless tops at work are a big no-no unless you're working in a trendy restaurant or bar. If in doubt, just err on the side of caution until you get the lay of the land in your workplace and then dress accordingly.

Good fabric is cheap and plentiful as are tailors - take advantage of them when you get here.

[lyndalorient]

Thanks for all the replies. Suitcase space is extremely precious and I want to make sure I don t end up bringing stuff I will never wear. Also I have to think about the possibility of new clothes and making room for them The idea of tailoring sounds great and really cheap.

[veiledsentiments]

773,

The best place to find good skirts are from the catalog companies these days. Since I live in the hinterlands, I shop a lot from catalogs and thus receive hundreds of them (you know how that goes!!). Almost every one that sells women's clothing have some of those gauzy cotton skirts. They are totally perfect for the weather and the culture. Google up the term 'broomstick skirt' and you will find about 100,000 sites. Even Cabelas sells them. I had about 15 of them, but you used to be able to find them everywhere - even Wal-Mart - for half what they cost now.

Some of them are quite colorful, but if that isn't your style, try http://www.devalifewear.com/mm5/ where the skirts are made by local seamstresses in rural America. They use wonderful cotton...

My advice would be NO sleeveless... absolutely minimal upper arms and better to elbow. You will see Westerners on the street dressed inappropriately, but that doesn't mean that it is proper. It is disrespectful of the culture IMHO. Just because no one will arrest you for it doesn't mean that it is OK. Just because there are Indian women who show some midriff in their Saris doesn't mean that we can or should do the same. To be honest it just confirms to the numerous men on the street staring at you that Western women are just like their stereotype from TV and movies. The more skin you show the more likely that they will think you are a hooker. Personally I chose to err on the side of conservative... many don't care and choose to dress the same as back home.

VS

[stoth1972]

Linen works wonders, too. I would buy one or two GREAT shirts/trousers that you really like (for work, shirt around 3/4 length and trousers to the ankle or skirts to the ankle). Then go textile shopping upon arrival and take the name of a great tailor (i'm sure colleagues can refer a few). Visit him first to talk about him copying your clothes, find out about material to choose, then buy it and bring it back. 90% of the time, they copy quite well.

Land's End has some nice shirts that would be work appropriate.

[veiledsentiments]

It used to be difficult to find decent cotton over there... and the fellows at the fabric stores were not always honest. If you asked for cotton, suddenly everything they showed you was cotton... like magic.

Every September I would bring back about a half a suitcase full of good cotton for my tailors. They can copy almost anything... better than the original.

Land's End, LL Bean, Eddie Bauer... good sources of cotton blouses. Even Appleseed... or Coldwater Creek...

VS

[Zoot]

helenl - which tailors do you use? all i've seen are male pakistanis or indians. do you use them? and never seen any decent fabric - only that worn by the locals, sri lankan and indian women.