I've been offered a job in the middle-east.

fat__tony

Afternoon all

I've recently been offered a job to work for an Irish Engineering firm in their Qatar office. The offer is fairly decent and includes accomodation, flights etc. It also offers two weeks off every three months and paid flights back home.

Anyone here working or has worked in the region in the past?

Any advice, tips etc would be great, thanks.:)

Tom Dunne

Working in Bahrain the past 5 months.

Bring suntan lotion?

I don't know, is there any specific information you are looking for?

fat__tony

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Working in Bahrain the past 5 months.

Bring suntan lotion?

I don't know, is there any specific information you are looking for?

Hi there.

To be specific,whats the lifestyle like in general?

For example in terms of accommodation, food, social life, work hours etc.

Also, im trying to decide what to bring over particularly in terms of heavier items like lcd tvs, dvd player.

I was also considering bring over some food essentials, teabags etc which sounds daft come to think of it.

syklops

I hope your not too fond of the gargle:

http://qatarvisitor.blogspot.com/2006/10/buying-alcohol-in-qatar.html

Qatar is a place where people, including Muslims, can legally buy alcohol and then be taken to court for drinking it.

Read more: http://qatarvisitor.blogspot.com/2006/10/buying-alcohol-in-qatar.html#ixzz0cbkKV2bq

I don't want to put you off the idea, just reminding you that if you like a few pints of a Friday evening, it might not be as easy to arrange.

rcunning03

fat__tony wrote: »

Hi there.

To be specific,whats the lifestyle like in general?

For example in terms of accommodation, food, social life, work hours etc.

Also, im trying to decide what to bring over particularly in terms of heavier items like lcd tvs, dvd player.

I was also considering bring over some food essentials, teabags etc which sounds daft come to think of it.

You can drink in the hotels. They have the best tv's dvd's over there and really cheap. It's a very modern country great infrastructure etc, just don't break any of their laws and you will have no problem. They love tea as well espeically lipton tea for some reason, think they even have a marks and sparks over there. The one essential to bring is hankerchiefs won't get them over there except in M&S which would cost a fortune.

100% go for it great experience just respect their laws and ways.

padraigggg

fat__tony wrote: »

Hi there.

To be specific,whats the lifestyle like in general?

For example in terms of accommodation, food, social life, work hours etc.

Also, im trying to decide what to bring over particularly in terms of heavier items like lcd tvs, dvd player.

I was also considering bring over some food essentials, teabags etc which sounds daft come to think of it.

I lived/worked in Amman, Jordan for 2years and as far as 'items' go, I wouldn't worry too much, these are thriving communities with almost everything you'd need. As far as a dvd player, you can bring one or not, I seem to remember them being on the same format, just don't expect to find too many titles, as many are banned/edited for racy content. As far as tea goes, definitely bring your favourite and store it for only special occasions -- you'll soon convert to the mass quantitites of coffee they drink there (rich, too).

There are some more well-known middle eastern customs, like only eating with your right hand (your 'unclean' left hand should be in your lap AT ALL TIMES during meals). But some of the less known are about personal space -- If someone is very close to you, don't lean or pull away, this is considered slightly insulting. Also, if offered a gift or food or drink, it is polite custom to refuse it at least once, if not twice. Keep in mind the opposite is true, if offering something, you should always offer it at least 3 times.

Lastly, take the time to tour the desert with a tour guide. Its not just sand, but even sand is neat to see when you can ONLY see sand in every direction -- its an eerie & mysterious feeling. But more than just that, the middle eastern deserts are dotted with desert castles that you can walk around & see into an older culture.

good luck!

fat__tony

padraigggg wrote: »

I lived/worked in Amman, Jordan for 2years and as far as 'items' go, I wouldn't worry too much, these are thriving communities with almost everything you'd need. As far as a dvd player, you can bring one or not, I seem to remember them being on the same format, just don't expect to find too many titles, as many are banned/edited for racy content. As far as tea goes, definitely bring your favourite and store it for only special occasions -- you'll soon convert to the mass quantitites of coffee they drink there (rich, too).

There are some more well-known middle eastern customs, like only eating with your right hand (your 'unclean' left hand should be in your lap AT ALL TIMES during meals). But some of the less known are about personal space -- If someone is very close to you, don't lean or pull away, this is considered slightly insulting. Also, if offered a gift or food or drink, it is polite custom to refuse it at least once, if not twice. Keep in mind the opposite is true, if offering something, you should always offer it at least 3 times.

Lastly, take the time to tour the desert with a tour guide. Its not just sand, but even sand is neat to see when you can ONLY see sand in every direction -- its an eerie & mysterious feeling. But more than just that, the middle eastern deserts are dotted with desert castles that you can walk around & see into an older culture.

good luck!

Thank you.

I shall be based in Doha , Qatar's capital.

Now I have to figure out how to adapt to the blistering summer-time temperatures!

fat__tony

rcunning03 wrote: »

You can drink in the hotels. They have the best tv's dvd's over there and really cheap. It's a very modern country great infrastructure etc, just don't break any of their laws and you will have no problem. They love tea as well espeically lipton tea for some reason, think they even have a marks and sparks over there. The one essential to bring is hankerchiefs won't get them over there except in M&S which would cost a fortune.

100% go for it great experience just respect their laws and ways.

Really, I never knew that M&S had a store in Doha??

Tom Dunne

fat__tony wrote: »

Now I have to figure out how to adapt to the blistering summer-time temperatures!

You'd be surprised how quickly you adapt to it. I wasn't a fan of the heat, but I found after a few weeks, I got used to it. You don't sit out in it at all, but you can sit out in the shade.

fat__tony wrote: »

Really, I never knew that M&S had a store in Doha??

There's one here in Bahrain too.

While Bahrain is considered Middle East-Lite, there are still a few things you need to be aware of.

Religion is very important to people in this part of the world. So being respectful of their beliefs is important. Don't get hammered and walk down the main street, for example. Don't touch women, under any circumstances (I work in a college, so I tend to be very careful when working with female students. Not blatantly fearful, but respectful and maintaining my distance).

The other things is, don't be afraid. Don't let any of the typical stereotypes make you afraid of talking to the locals. They are people too, remember. 99.99% of them are lovely, friendly, genuine people.

I find the locals tend to be very direct - don't let that put you off. No bullsh!t is their way, I don't really see that as a problem.

Trust is very important. They won't shaft you, they are very, very honest. Ok, in all cultures, you will get the dishonest person, but I find the locals to be extremely trustworthy.

From what I can tell, driving all over the Middle East is quite nervewracking. Don't let that put you off. You get used to it.

As for goods from home, here in Bahrain, my shopping trolley is pretty much identical to what I get at home. At half the price, too.

Ichiro

Did you move in the end?
How is it going?

REFLINE1

Ichiro wrote: »

Did you move in the end?
How is it going?

Interesting thread,am seriously considering a move to Abu Dhabi/Dubai myself at the moment with my current employer...anyone living/working out there?

Mainly interested in wether it would be possible to live in Dubai marina area and commute to Abu dhabi for work?