|
|
Post by UmmRiyam on Jun 17, 2012 10:54:46 GMT
First of all, I want to say that I'm a Muslim American married to a Saudi. Since living in UDH Aramco compound, I've come to know that there are a lot of foreigners here in Saudi Arabia who do not like Saudis or Muslims. I really don't understand why people would choose to move to Saudi Arabia or any other Muslim country if that's how they feel. I once overheard two American women talking, and one of them was talking about how disgusted she felt by the atude some other Americans had towards Saudis and Muslims. She was saying that they didn't want their kids around Muslims at all or for their kids to have Muslim friends. I mean, why would you move your family across the world if you really feel that way? I guess the only answer is money. It makes me really sad.
Please, if you want to move to Saudi Arabia, then please do it with an open mind. Saudis are some of the nicest, most generous people you'll ever meet. Muslims are peaceful people, not terrorists looking for an opportunity to kill. We have the same goals in life as you all. We care about our children's future and are doing our best to raise our kids in the best way we can. We save our money to buy cars and houses and pay for our children's futures, just like you all.
Have any of you seen people talking bad about Saudis and Muslims? Do you ever confront them about their views? Please if you ever see people talking bad about others in any way, then stand up and say something. If they don't like you for that, then are they really worth being your friend?
|
|
|
|
Post by CerebralPrimate on Jun 17, 2012 14:53:32 GMT
People like to complain. Period. My guess is there are also plenty of Saudis that complain about westerners.
I had similar experiences when I worked in Doha. Many complained about non-westerners, but I personally had no problems at all making friends among the locals. Yes, they are going to think differently and see things differently, but it's up to you how to handle that... do you take it as a threat, or as something frustrating, or do you take the opportunity to try to see the world from someone else's perspective and possibly learn something?
It's an ugly fact that Americans just tend to be highly insulated. So if they take jobs in the M-E, it's almost always going to be for the money, not because they want to get to know a different culture. Let's face facts, if Aramco only paid the same as jobs in Houston, they'd have very few Americans working for them.
But I do agree to an extent... if you take a job in someone else's country, dont try to Ameri-fy it, try to adapt to how things are there. You may just learn and grow in the process. And in the end, that's what we're all here for imo...
|
|
Rama
Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by Rama on Jun 17, 2012 18:26:51 GMT
I have witnessed such ugly behaviors and comments in country and in this web forum. A basic problem exists that the offenders have no clue that they are offensive.
I previously pointed out "ugly" behavior from a member of this forum in this forum. My posts were edited as a result. Again, people who are offensive often have no clue.
Rest assured that there are others out here paying attention who have no tolerance for such ingracious behavior. And there are even some out here who report anonymously to high levels behavior that seems ractist/bigotted/etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by Overland on Jun 18, 2012 13:30:49 GMT
I just can't imagine moving half way around the world to work in some place that one hates just for the money. Money is not everything!
Having spent a couple of months in KSA, I can tell you that the Saudis I met were some of the nicest people I have met anywhere. That is the reason that I am working hard toward my relocation to DHA. And I really liked the cultural diversity of the students I had in my classes and those that I met in the camp. That experience was extremely enriching and I wish to further that during the years we are allowed to live in the Kingdom.
No matter where you go in the world, there are those that are complainers. And no matter where those complainers live, they will be unhappy about something. Ignore them. They do not represent the majority.
|
|
Uman
Senior Member
Posts: 161
|
Post by Uman on Jun 18, 2012 17:26:07 GMT
We are ALL here for 1 thing only. Employment.
The other aspects of it dont come into consideration.
Why.....because ....period. No interesting here. As for people, there are some/many good ones....very kind and considerate.....as in ANY society.
.
Written after a very confronting day on the job.
Appologies for any offence.....
|
|
|
|
Post by Texas on Jun 19, 2012 4:49:38 GMT
This subject is a bit sensitive and needs to be addressed with an open mind. Like any company, Aramco has a code of conduct. Aramco employees should act and behave in accordance with Aramco’s values and principles. At the end of the day, Aramco is Saudi Arabia’s oil company; it belongs to the people of Saudi Arabia. Despite the things we may dislike about Saudis we should be respectful, appreciative - for allowing us to live and work in their country - and most importantly, smart of how we conduct ourselves. Every one of us, including our dependents, is an Aramco representative.
Forget about Aramco, if you are an expat for a western company you are expected to respect the locals and tolerate their culture. This would be the least they would expect from you when you work and represent them in a foreign country. So why the double standard?
Derogatory comments about Saudis will come back and hunt you…..Are you willing to risk your job, the affordable living package, your kids boarding school expenses, your repat money which allows you to go and see the world and visit loved ones, just to state your opinion? Your choice.
|
|
|
|
Post by Twofeets on Jun 19, 2012 7:32:51 GMT
I have to agree with the previous poster, some people just like to complain.
I am the only american in my dept where I work. Everyone else is Saudi, and we all get along just fine. As with anywhere, you'll have some people who complain, you'll have some who just dont fit in, but it doesnt seem to be the norm (at least at work).
The only issues Ive seen have been in camp off work, and its more of a cultural issue and usually among the wives rather than the husbands. This isnt the US (or Europe), and while Aramco tries to give us more freedom on camp we are still a bit more restricted than we are used to. Case in point, there was a south american male in his 50s playing in the spash fountain with some kids. He was wearing speedos, which is a normal bathingsuit in many parts of the world. Men wear them all the time at the pool, as they are better for lap swimming. Even though these are much more revealing than most womens bathing suits, nothing is said. I have seen/heard several women comment on this. But they forget, this isnt our culture, we do not make the rules here, and if we dont like them we have the right to leave.
In addition, especially since 9/11, there has been a widening gap between the western world and muslims. The simple fact is that News is a business, and since 9/11 they have made more money (as a whole) than most other industries. If we all get along, live together peacefully, etc there is no news. Some channels (quite a few in fact) take every little story they can find to stir up trouble between muslims and christians, muslims and the west, etc. Ive sat down and seen stories on Saudi Arabia while the news is showing pictures of Afghanistan! No matter how hard I try, many back home think Im living in a cave and riding a camel to work. Its a corrupt money game, and the more strife they cause, the more money they make.
Many come over here for the job, but believing in the steriotypes. Many Saudis Ive met also have some bad misconceptions about westerners. There is a gap, but once you get to know them most are very friendly, very polite, and simply good people.
Sorry for the rambling, I could go on, but you get the idea.
|
|
|
|
Post by UmmRiyam on Jun 19, 2012 9:03:15 GMT
Uman, Actually there are many Muslim expats here who actually want to live in Saudi Arabia, and many who are sad to leave when they have to. For them, it's making hijrah from a non-Muslim country to a Muslim country, and the Muslims here really enjoy the fact that they can travel to Makkah often. Muslims living outside of Saudi Arabia don't have that opportunity.
Any one else who wants to come here for employment reasons only should learn about Saudi Arabia and be willing to learn more about the culture they're going to be living in. Sure, there are things about Saudi culture that people don't like, even things I don't like, but at the same time, there are also many cultures within Saudi Arabia. Saudis themselves aren't the same at all. There's good and bad everywhere. No place on earth is perfect for everyone. and, I don't even feel there's a perfect place for me to live, but I can choose to be happy in the place where I live and find the positive aspects.
As for overhearing those two women speaking....they were speaking in a small place. One of them was my friend, btw, and they knew I was standing next to them and could hear them. I was waiting in line....so, I don't think I did anything wrong to hear them talking. in fact, maybe my friend wanted me to hear what she had to say without telling me directly because I don't see that side of the American community here. I dress like a Saudi, so most people assume I'm Saudi upon seeing me. At that time when I heard that being said, I was shocked and too shy to say anything to them about it. but, when another friend of mine, a Muslim expat not from a western country, told me the same thing...then, I knew that there really are people here who 'hate' Saudis. And, after thinking about what she said, that's why I decided to post here about this issue. It makes me angry knowing that some people who come here have such a hatred for the locals and for Islam when they chose to come here to work and to bring their families.
As a Muslim in the US, I've faced discrimination (when looking for a job mostly), lots of stares, and rude comments, like 'go back to your country' etc. but, I just ignore it, and understand that they're uneducated, ignorant people. but, then to see people coming here by their own free will and expressing similar views....
|
|
|
|
Post by GroveWanderer on Jun 20, 2012 9:50:47 GMT
For someone who's been here less than a month, you seem to have come to some pretty
firm conclusions already. Can I ask if you have already travelled widely in the Kingdom and talked to hundreds and hundreds of expats, to have been able to reach these conclusions?
For what it's worth, I and many expats I know would disagree with most of your points, other than the first one. Many people had other aspects in mind when they joined Saudi Aramco and came to the Kingdom, although the primary reason is of course, as you state.
Most of my acquaintances are perfectly happy here and would gladly stay longer if they could. Case in point, a friend of ours has just got his 4th, 1-year extension and would happily take another one if he could get it next year.
Several other people I know who have left recently, would have stayed longer but couldn't get extensions.
There are lots of interesting things here in the Kingdom, the deep desert, the Western Province's picturesque mountains, archeological sites (Mada'in Saleh rivals Petra, certainly in size if not the complexity of the architecture) and some of the best scuba diving anywhere in the world is available in the Red Sea - at least according to Jacques-Yves Cousteau and I think he knew a little about the underwater world.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dahailang on Jun 25, 2012 12:27:37 GMT
Has anyone been harassed by the religion police or the local youth? I am always respectful to the locals, should we expect something in return?
|
|
|
|
Post by Stranger3 on Jun 30, 2012 15:57:05 GMT
I have few questions to you that I need some help with please[/i]
|
|
|
|
Post by annara on Jul 3, 2012 23:08:47 GMT
Hi All,
I am Jack currently live in Australia. I received offer from Aramco in Ras Tanura.
Would you please tell me about school in RT. I have four children, they are in year 5,3,2,1.
Cheers,
Jack
|
|
