August 05, 2007
PonderingsRecently, I was a part of a discussion on blogs. A few questions were shot out as us that really got me thinking once I got home. One of them was.. ‘Why can’t people just be normal and stop protesting (not in real terms) against the government and the locals here’ or something similar to the extent.
My question is .. WHO decides what is normal? Why would the expatriates here, NOT want something normal. Do the government and the local population of the UAE, realise, what the expatriates ask for.. IS normal in their world? Yes, it very much is normal back home, and the reason the left that and came here was that no-one told them about the abnormal cultural differences. When you advertise your country (yes your country, I’d love to call it mine, if only it accepted me as its own) and portray it to be better than living in your own, they seem to miss out on the aspects that they know would pose as a cultural/social shock.
I don’t think this system exists but, like when you apply for a visa to certain other countries (Canada, Australia, etc), its compulsory to attend something like a seminar, giving the applicants a summary of the basic rules, regulations, climatic conditions, etc about the country. Given a country like UAE or at least a city like
Again, a counter argument would be, you KNOW you’re moving to another part of the world and should expect a change. But change to what extent? Cant there be a line in the middle when there is some tolerance and some carrying forward of the culture of the land you reside in? where did all this resistance to accept one another arise from?
To my understanding, one of the reasons to this was, the literacy levels among the local population.. initially when ppl came to create infrastructures on this land, they were welcomed and both sides made use of the opportunities. Everyone was happy, everyone was friendly and every old uncle, aunt, relative, been here for more than 20 years knew some or the other Sheikh personally and would rave about their hospitality. Suddenly, after the local population started acknowledging the importance of international education (we’re talking 2nd -3rd generation UAE nationals), they seem to view the same expatriates as a threat to their country. I’m not making a judgment here, maybe its just how I see it, cuz I know a few UAE nationals are going to be reading this and I cant decide if this could be offending or not.
My post doesn’t really make a point, but just some thoughts that went around my head. There were more questions that I want to write about, but maybe later.
On a personal note, I’ve started working again, its okay.. fun cuz I have friends all around, some ppl think it’s a bad move to settle for what I’m doing. But I hope in the long run I benefit out of some upper edge I think this job will bring about. Its long run thinking, more like a gamble. Anyway, I’m still young and my friends, relatives and previous employers have shown faith in my potential. I only hope to make use of it the right way.
Until next time I find some time to peacefully write another post, Adios!
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