One of the features of having a public e-mail address is that often I receive material from a variety of sources. The following was sent to me by a lady who chose not to identify herself but declares that the contents were an actual interchange of correspondence in a Net group she belongs to.
In itself it is a reflection of some of the fears and misconceptions that foreigners have prior to their assignment in this part of the world. She has also included a response to the would-be expat from one who has apparently lived here for some time. With slight editing, it goes as follows:
Would-be expat:
Greetings to you from Malaysia.
It would seem I am DOOMED to come to Saudi Arabia. Would be grateful for your advice. Since the color of my skin is not white and since I carry the passport of a SLAVE country, the Saudis indeed have offered me a lower rank and a lower salary (than my present rank and salary). I am damned if I take it, I am damned if I do not.
The advantages that I see are: Long paid holidays (about 90 days in a year) and intellectually much less demanding work. Well, what do you say? What will be the life of a slave at SR10k per month with a furnished villa?
I have also got a ton of CDs — nothing naughty, just work related material and some pirated software. Some books. I am supposed to land in Riyadh and take an onward domestic flight. Can the slaves travel without permission from the master? Just in case they keep my stuff and I have to come back days later.
Finally, is it that bad or is that just my impression?
Domesticated expat:
If you feel that way, why on earth consider coming out here?
You are free to choose your own path. It seems to me you would be better off staying away if you think it is so bad here.
Personally, being a Brit, I could not tell you if that is how it truly would be for you. But if that’s how you really think it would be, then don’t come. There are many other countries you could work in.
Would-be expat:
Thanks for the prompt reply, but I have yet to decide whether to come to Saudi Arabia or not. Chances are I won’t come. What for? But I’ve got a year to kill, so I just might come, for the hell of it.
There was more to it, but it became very quickly apparent to me that we Saudis ought to do a much better job at exporting goodwill rather than anything else. Not forgetting meanwhile to take care of the expats among us.
