Life in Middle East
Join Date: May 2001
Location: UAE
Age: 63
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At the risk of starting a flame war....
Capt. Z...could it possibly be that you do not wish to climb off your pedestal in the sheltered workshop that is Oz aviation?
Over this side of the Indian Ocean, pilots are treated just as another professional, not the be all and end all of humanity.
If you want that kudos, you had better get heavily involved in the oil or engineering sector, they get paid WAY more than mere aviation types.
As MTOW said...
Capt. Z...could it possibly be that you do not wish to climb off your pedestal in the sheltered workshop that is Oz aviation?
Over this side of the Indian Ocean, pilots are treated just as another professional, not the be all and end all of humanity.
If you want that kudos, you had better get heavily involved in the oil or engineering sector, they get paid WAY more than mere aviation types.
As MTOW said...
Join Date: May 2003
Location: betwen you and me
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In a way you are right Zoolander
I got to admit that the best place to be is at home but things here in the desert are not all that bad!
You are right about the living expenses they are higher than some other countries but some other countres get you with the tax real bad!
after all, you got to live where the bread is ??? or where you can managed to live more happier!
cheers!
You are right about the living expenses they are higher than some other countries but some other countres get you with the tax real bad!
after all, you got to live where the bread is ??? or where you can managed to live more happier!
cheers!
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: FL410 (if she's light enough)
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Capt. Z I fully agree with you that we all have the right to choices in life and I personally have no problem with yours.
I'm under the impression however that you may be one of the countless victims of mass media propaganda. Since 9-11 the media (with political direction) have managed to build an image of arabs and muslims in general as terorists. Of course no one is doubting that the tragedy of the twin towers was planned and executed by arabs but does that brand all arabs and muslims as extremists?
The media is playing a very dangerous game and the current US administration is making things even more volatile. The truth of the matter is that the media (in large part) is controlled by Jewish interests and ofcourse the anti Arab sentiments are strong. The events of 9-11 were a stepping stone for the media to change public opinion of Arabs and Muslims around the world.
In reality Arabs and Muslims are very tolerant people with high moral values. All the Arabs I know (been in the Gulf last 10 years) were equaly if not more horrified by the images on tv that morning on 9-11. So for us to brand all Arabs as extremists or terrorist is not only unjust but also immoral.
Once again I respect your choice of staying home but by no means be under the impression that you and your family would not have been welcome here by the locals.
Blue skies to you.
I'm under the impression however that you may be one of the countless victims of mass media propaganda. Since 9-11 the media (with political direction) have managed to build an image of arabs and muslims in general as terorists. Of course no one is doubting that the tragedy of the twin towers was planned and executed by arabs but does that brand all arabs and muslims as extremists?
The media is playing a very dangerous game and the current US administration is making things even more volatile. The truth of the matter is that the media (in large part) is controlled by Jewish interests and ofcourse the anti Arab sentiments are strong. The events of 9-11 were a stepping stone for the media to change public opinion of Arabs and Muslims around the world.
In reality Arabs and Muslims are very tolerant people with high moral values. All the Arabs I know (been in the Gulf last 10 years) were equaly if not more horrified by the images on tv that morning on 9-11. So for us to brand all Arabs as extremists or terrorist is not only unjust but also immoral.
Once again I respect your choice of staying home but by no means be under the impression that you and your family would not have been welcome here by the locals.
Blue skies to you.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Living in the middle east?
A lot of interesting but reasonably self centred replies here. Like I can wander around pissed at 0200 and feel safe etc, I can have my car washed without being stolen, even a bit about money and taxes.
Now I do agree that these are all true, but consider this.
A couple of days ago we got a message from our school that one of our former classmates had died. This little girl had walked out into the backyard of her new house to water her new garden and put her had on an electric pump and was electrocuted.
Now accidents happens all over the world, I know. But does the country you are now living in have rules regarding tradesmen. Here in the middle east there are none. These guys are plucked off the flight from Dhaka or Peshawar, given a pair of overalls a screw driver and pair of pliers and told they are electricians (or plumbers or carpenters or whatever is needed). This little girls death is probably a result of that. Apparently the pump had not been earthed.
If you were the parents off this little girl, all the money good schools, good weather etc are not going to change the fact that you made the biggest mistake of your life coming to the middle east.
This is the reality of living here. It appears civilised on the surface, but it is only a facade, and unfortunately you just dont know when you are going to scratch the surface, and the reality under neath is going to bite you and bite you hard.
DMF
A lot of interesting but reasonably self centred replies here. Like I can wander around pissed at 0200 and feel safe etc, I can have my car washed without being stolen, even a bit about money and taxes.
Now I do agree that these are all true, but consider this.
A couple of days ago we got a message from our school that one of our former classmates had died. This little girl had walked out into the backyard of her new house to water her new garden and put her had on an electric pump and was electrocuted.
Now accidents happens all over the world, I know. But does the country you are now living in have rules regarding tradesmen. Here in the middle east there are none. These guys are plucked off the flight from Dhaka or Peshawar, given a pair of overalls a screw driver and pair of pliers and told they are electricians (or plumbers or carpenters or whatever is needed). This little girls death is probably a result of that. Apparently the pump had not been earthed.
If you were the parents off this little girl, all the money good schools, good weather etc are not going to change the fact that you made the biggest mistake of your life coming to the middle east.
This is the reality of living here. It appears civilised on the surface, but it is only a facade, and unfortunately you just dont know when you are going to scratch the surface, and the reality under neath is going to bite you and bite you hard.
DMF
Join Date: Oct 2001
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zoolandar you must be kidding
zoolander,
as an Australian living and working in the United states for 19years I know you are kidding. Working for TWA/American airlines for 13 years and looking back at where the industry in Australia has gone over the last three years ,i know you are dreaming!
There is basically no opportunity in Auz. The industry is screwed. Stop with your BS. Is there a little envy because you were turned down? How much do you really know about the ME. I spent 5years flying from NYC to the ME, and never had the experience you had. As another poster said... " a little respect for the local culture is definitely required. You would have been a great colonialist!
So what are you doing with yourself know? Virgin, Qantarse?
Pauli
as an Australian living and working in the United states for 19years I know you are kidding. Working for TWA/American airlines for 13 years and looking back at where the industry in Australia has gone over the last three years ,i know you are dreaming!
There is basically no opportunity in Auz. The industry is screwed. Stop with your BS. Is there a little envy because you were turned down? How much do you really know about the ME. I spent 5years flying from NYC to the ME, and never had the experience you had. As another poster said... " a little respect for the local culture is definitely required. You would have been a great colonialist!
So what are you doing with yourself know? Virgin, Qantarse?
Pauli
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Australia
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pauli767 said,
" as an Australian living and working in the United states for 19years I know you are kidding."
Well all I have to say to you pauli767 is, if it is so good, why aren't you living in the ME?
"Is there a little envy because you were turned down?"
Not really, to be honest I quite liked the little I saw of Dubai, and my wife liked it also, but as I said, I am happy about the way things turned out.
"There is basically no opportunity in Auz. The industry is screwed."
Yes, I would have to agree with you on this statement.
"How much do you really know about the ME"
Not much really, perhaps you can fill in a few details for our readers.
Cheers,
" as an Australian living and working in the United states for 19years I know you are kidding."
Well all I have to say to you pauli767 is, if it is so good, why aren't you living in the ME?
"Is there a little envy because you were turned down?"
Not really, to be honest I quite liked the little I saw of Dubai, and my wife liked it also, but as I said, I am happy about the way things turned out.
"There is basically no opportunity in Auz. The industry is screwed."
Yes, I would have to agree with you on this statement.
"How much do you really know about the ME"
Not much really, perhaps you can fill in a few details for our readers.
Cheers,
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Australia
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"Do any of you Middle East expats have a blonde haired wife?"
I do, but then again, I am still in OZ
"Don't you find the way Western women are mentally raped by locals and Sub-Continent expats disconcerting?"
Yes, my wife told me that she felt very uncomfortable at times, being stared at in the Hotel restaurant by locals, while I was doing the EK interview
"What about teen daughters?"
Yes , three blondes also.
"Surely the above are quality of life issue?"
Of course they are!
"Zoolander
No place like home!"
I agree!!
"You are a little of the mark regarding terrorism but "yes" it is in the back of my mind"
I hope I am off the mark, but obviously this is a very sensitive subject for people viewing this thread.
Cheers,
Zoolander
I do, but then again, I am still in OZ
"Don't you find the way Western women are mentally raped by locals and Sub-Continent expats disconcerting?"
Yes, my wife told me that she felt very uncomfortable at times, being stared at in the Hotel restaurant by locals, while I was doing the EK interview
"What about teen daughters?"
Yes , three blondes also.
"Surely the above are quality of life issue?"
Of course they are!
"Zoolander
No place like home!"
I agree!!
"You are a little of the mark regarding terrorism but "yes" it is in the back of my mind"
I hope I am off the mark, but obviously this is a very sensitive subject for people viewing this thread.
Cheers,
Zoolander
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Drukmefunk, I'm sorry, but that was one of the more ridiculous comments about living in the Middle East that I've ever heard. Yes, certainly, there are 'cowboy' electricians/plumbers/builders in the Middle East, but there are everywhere in the world. This sort of accident, tragic as it is, is not confined to the Middle East. It's an unfortunate fact of life that children die from domestic accidents all over the world. IMHO, health and safety legislation more serves to encourage a blame culture rather than actually prevent accidents, but that's for another thread.
In any case, this accident should be taken into the context of the general bringing-up of children in the ME: how many children in the Middle East were abducted, raped, tortured and murdered last year? Or the year before that? The overall atmosphere is a safe place to bring up children.
As for terrorism, State Department briefings are designed to protect the officials who write them from litigation, not citizens from terrorism. I remember one that said "If you see piles of burning tyres, do not approach them"..........personally I feel more scared of an anthrax attack on the Tube or a bomb in Harrods than I do of any terrorism in the Middle East.
In any case, this accident should be taken into the context of the general bringing-up of children in the ME: how many children in the Middle East were abducted, raped, tortured and murdered last year? Or the year before that? The overall atmosphere is a safe place to bring up children.
As for terrorism, State Department briefings are designed to protect the officials who write them from litigation, not citizens from terrorism. I remember one that said "If you see piles of burning tyres, do not approach them"..........personally I feel more scared of an anthrax attack on the Tube or a bomb in Harrods than I do of any terrorism in the Middle East.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Back home you don't walk through long grass without good boots due deadly snakes.
Don't walk through parks at night in big western cities due muggings.
Don't drink at night clubs in the Middle East due being a soft terrorist target.
Common sense for some and paranoia to others.
Don't walk through parks at night in big western cities due muggings.
Don't drink at night clubs in the Middle East due being a soft terrorist target.
Common sense for some and paranoia to others.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Dubai - sand land.
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Well said Bahrain Lad - four of my children go to the school that the very unfortunate electrocuted girl went to. VERY SAD
HOWEVER back in 1987 my two year old cousin died after falling into a swimming pool - the british workman had left the gates to the swimming pool that they were working on open. British workmen. British house in Surrey. Accidents happen. Get real!!!
My family are far safer in the Gulf than they would be in the UK - Zoolander you are a puss, more American than the usual big balled Australian that you strive to be. The ME is a great place for families.........
HOWEVER back in 1987 my two year old cousin died after falling into a swimming pool - the british workman had left the gates to the swimming pool that they were working on open. British workmen. British house in Surrey. Accidents happen. Get real!!!
My family are far safer in the Gulf than they would be in the UK - Zoolander you are a puss, more American than the usual big balled Australian that you strive to be. The ME is a great place for families.........
Join Date: May 2003
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Hi!
I just missed (by 24 hours) being blown up by a terrorist bomb.
Where was I? ATL. That would be Atlanta, Georgia, USA (during the 96 Olympics). I don't believe there have been ANY bombings in UAE, so according to some of the previous posters, I should immediately move to the UAE because it's safer!
So much for staying out of the ME because of danger.
And, for the poster who was mentioning "Blondes" and women being "mentally raped" (whatever that means), what the poster means is that they're uncomfortable being around people of another race, and that they would hate the idea of their daughter dating a MEasterner.
This is the 21st century, and we are trying to improve the world be shedding those old attitudes.
My wife gets plenty of "looks" where ever she goes-Wisconsin, Mexico, Florida, Arizona, Canada. Do guys wish they were doing her? Of course, they're male.
If I see a great looking woman, I often fantasize about her, and by the way, it doesn't matter to me what color their skin is or where they're from-if they're good looking, they're good looking.
I am very interested in Emirates, and I'd like to read informative posts with facts in them, so I can make a decision.
Good luck to you!
I just missed (by 24 hours) being blown up by a terrorist bomb.
Where was I? ATL. That would be Atlanta, Georgia, USA (during the 96 Olympics). I don't believe there have been ANY bombings in UAE, so according to some of the previous posters, I should immediately move to the UAE because it's safer!
So much for staying out of the ME because of danger.
And, for the poster who was mentioning "Blondes" and women being "mentally raped" (whatever that means), what the poster means is that they're uncomfortable being around people of another race, and that they would hate the idea of their daughter dating a MEasterner.
This is the 21st century, and we are trying to improve the world be shedding those old attitudes.
My wife gets plenty of "looks" where ever she goes-Wisconsin, Mexico, Florida, Arizona, Canada. Do guys wish they were doing her? Of course, they're male.
If I see a great looking woman, I often fantasize about her, and by the way, it doesn't matter to me what color their skin is or where they're from-if they're good looking, they're good looking.
I am very interested in Emirates, and I'd like to read informative posts with facts in them, so I can make a decision.
Good luck to you!
