Job Discussion Forums

rekahs · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

Hi, I have a question regarding acceptance of dreadlocks in UAE if anyone can please assist me.

Has anyone got any advice on whether having dreadlocks would be a problem working as a teacher in the UAE?

Thanks

***EDITED*** further info about me just in case it is relevant.

I am married and 38yo. Husband is also a teacher. We are from Australia

Iamherebecause · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:00 pm Post subject:

Tie them back or even put them up (no idea if that's possible though never having had dreads myself) and I think you ought to be OK. In terms of working in the UAE I would bracket them with tatoos - keep tatoos covered/dreads tidy tidy in a professional environment, follow the dress code scrupulously and you'll be beyond reproach. Be particulalrly careful when choosing how to wear them for an interview.

Can't think of any teachers here with dreadlocks though. But Al Ain isn't that big.

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

If one was hired, I suspect students might not respond well to the dreads. (whatever that means). Culturally, I think that they would be perceived as unclean.

773 · Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 213

rekahs · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Yeah the whole cultural difference and perception they are unclean is often a first impression from many different people.

It does not usually take long to realise that they are clean (washed every day) and if close enough realise they smell nice etc.

Anyone else have further information, I would be happy to hear from you also.

Umm Banat · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 28

I should think that a head scarf at the start of the dreads would suffice. We have black women with a range of cultural hair styles including full length plaits.

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

Hurdle the interview then ask the question.

Gauguin · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 54 Location: At the Cutting Edge

I pretty sure that HCT are so strapped to teachers they would probable overlook such a personal detail. I wear an 'ear stud' There was a guy in Fuj with two dangly earrings and no hair. Hell, they are even hiring Canadians Smile

The students, especially the ladies would grow to love it. Do what you feels is best at the interview then do your own thing once hired. HCT seriously needs more people with solid personal identities.

IMHO

Gauguin

rekahs · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

There is some great stuff here.

Thank you so much everyone for your posts and pm's.

Keep em coming. Smile

Umm Banat · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 28

I have asked around and the consensus is that they are thought to be dirty by the students.

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

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

delete

Sui Generis · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Abu Dhabi

I found this question really intriguing.
I asked some women students at the HCT and they didn't know what dreads were. I showed them a picture and they were horrified! They are really into the whole "being pretty and feminine" thing and just could not understand why a woman would actually choose to have her hair in that style.
However, and most importantly, they all said that if she were a good teacher they wouldn't care.
I suspect that after a while, if they got to know you, they would want to know more about your hair. They are a friendly and girly bunch as a whole, and would likely even want to feel it (in a flurry of shrieking and giggling).
I suggest that it would be a focus for a lot of attention though. I find that people like labourers stare and stare and stare and stare anyway. I look normal (I think!) and I get stared at like I am a circus freak when I am out alone. Dreads would be just another course of enormous interest.
This is not exactly a country where non-conformism is encouraged or admired.