where would/wouldn't you work?

[Mr I]

So a guy calls me the other day about a job in Saudi Arabia, good money and tax free, I rejected it out of hand because I have a poor impression of middle east and I said it it was Dubai or Quatar then yeah but not Saudi

Since then I been rethinking and looked on the net a bit, many different opinions of safety?

I would work China and Hong kong I've heard its a good time and low tax there

Thoughts

[Scrumhalf]

Saudi is not so bad as long as you can grit your teeth and do it for a couple of years. Basically, there is nothing to do there other than work and bars and stuff. As long as you can keep a low profile, not do something to offend the local authorities and be prepared to get bored out of your skull, you will do fine. Just make sure you are clear on the security situation - how is your company going to make sure you are not going to get kidnapped or shot or whatever.

But I agree, I'd rather go to some place not in the Middle East, but no other place is going to pay as much.

[Mr I]

Saudi is not so bad as long as you can grit your teeth and do it for a couple of years. Basically, there is nothing to do there other than work and bars and stuff. As long as you can keep a low profile, not do something to offend the local authorities and be prepared to get bored out of your skull, you will do fine. Just make sure you are clear on the security situation - how is your company going to make sure you are not going to get kidnapped or shot or whatever.

But I agree, I'd rather go to some place not in the Middle East, but no other place is going to pay as much.

have you worked there scrumhalf?

do western women work there and do they have to wear face covers etc, when you say don't offend do you mean commit a crime or like fart in a lift or what?

Also do they have good gyms etc?

[Scrumhalf]

I have never worked there but I knew a lot of family in India who went to the Gulf to work. I don't think women can do much, certainly not work. IIRC, they can't even go out by themselves unless accompanied by a male and certainly have to cover their heads at all times. I'm not exactly sure what your wife will do all day, perhaps hang out with other expats or stay at home.

This is going to be a pretty serious family decision - basically put up with 2 years of rubbish for a chunk of money. A lot of Indian families do this - they go to the Gulf for a few years and save every penny - that's probably a 100X more than they could do in India.

I would strongly recommend searching out for and joining a forum or board that focuses on expatriate living in the gulf, say some kind of support group or whatever and ask a bunch of questions.

[gdbear65]

hope this helps: Working in Saudi Arabia

[Mr I]

years thanks guys, to be honest the thought of grafting all day and coming home to her sitting on her ass all day is enough to put me off lol!

[bigbadexcursion]

Saudi isnt that bad bro. Id work there Kuwait, Qatar for sure. Ive been all over the middle east. This year I'll be back, but most likely as a contractor this time.

[redback]

nah saudi isnt that bad bro just make sure you wear a fucking towel wrapped on your head so the dont behead you.

[Turbo3000]

I have heard great things about it.

Off topic..What branch were you in bigbad?

[bigbadexcursion]

my goal is to never be beheaded.

[redback]

my goal is to never be beheaded.

everyone gets beheaded in the end bro...

[bigbadexcursion]

I have heard great things about it.

Off topic..What branch were you in bigbad?

still in. Army

[redback]

still in. Army

sorry i didnt relise you were in the army. You proberbly wont get beheaded bro.

[bigbadexcursion]

fingers crossed lol...you never know. contracting is a lot crazier

[Mr I]

So I git another job put to me in Dubai, pay way good but I researched into housing and to rent many landlords want your years rent up front! since the market's dropped off a bit they'll take three months rent now. I turned the job down because the notice period was like 1 month and I thinking so if I pay three months rent or contract to a years lease and they lay me off I'd be fucked especially when you read that in Sharia Law you can be put in prison for being in debt.

I haven't written the middle east off yet but it has to be the riht package and I'd only really consider Dubai, Abu Dhabi and places liberal like that