come in different shapes and sizes; however, none come as more objectionable than this particular depraved Scot Singaporean who thinks that Bahrain is nothing more than a piggy-bank to tap into to finance weddings and back-packing holidays, with nary a thought to the country, its people, and most definitely not its culture.
Culture?
To her, we have none! She is; after all, saving us from our woes and ourselves by getting an immediate job on landing which by her own admittance pays much more than her dear Edinburgh run-of-the-mill job even before she satisfies the requirments to start working here.
Why do we attract bottom-of-the-barrel people like her? She is the epitome of our discomfort; when 20,000 people are out of work and the government’s ministry of labour and other organisations in Bahrain are scrambling to provide a better future and life to our own, why do we insist on inviting and hiring mercenaries like “Chocho”, as she calls herself, to our shores? Do we not have anyone that could replace her? I am sure a half-educated-government-school-graduated-moron could do her job with much more passion and with infinitely more loyalty than this bitch-in-heat whose only proviso is feathering her decrepit nest without any regard to bettering the very environment which is providing for her style of life; and will continue to do so until the fucking moron who hired her in the first place wakes up to his responsibility.
Go away you parasite. We don’t need you here.
If only your moronic employer reads this…
Comments
Mercenaries…
Any idea where this douche works?
Mercenaries…
uhm… the writing is not impressive, and yes there is something like freedom of speech, even in Bahrain. Still, one does wonder how such a creature got to Bahrain. To err is human.
Mercenaries…
i just read one of her earliest posts (at her blogger site) & she mentions how everyone looks down her cleavage at the souq. umm, perhaps don’t [b]show[/b] your cleavage to everyone, in that case?!!
Re: Mercenaries…
Just shows that she’s culturally insensitive, and maybe flat-chested to boot! Wishful thinking on her part; to get a cleavage that is well exposed to be worth looking at.
Sorry if I sound so harsh, I am just quite affronted by her perception of a country she chose to move to, and even more affronted by the twerp who provided her with an employment opportunity.
Mercenaries…
I cant believe some people i mean its not just from one post she has been slagging us off but it seems to be a common theme in most of her entries….just look at this taken from this URL……..http://www.travellingchocho.blogspot.com/
” remember the warm fuzzy feeling of coming back to someplace familiar whenever I hear Singlish, or the soft Scottish lilt, or even the singsong Belfast accent – but hearing the harsh vowels of the Arabic language only fills me with a sense of dread, and remind me of arrogant and rude people, manic drivers and the lack of gender equality.”
how disrespectfull….i have nothing more to say!
oompaloompa
Mercenaries…
She sounds like a snotty arrogant self absorbed inferior bitch, cleavage ? don’t show off something you complain about being looked at, ha,and the lilt of!! like they say here in Canada, there are planes leaving every day, go on it ONE WAY please.
Mercenaries…
[quote]Just shows that she’s culturally insensitive, and maybe flat-chested to boot! Wishful thinking on her part; to get a cleavage that is well exposed to be worth looking at.
[/quote]
How is a GUY looking down a chic’s cleavage being [i]”culturally insensitive?[/i] Us men DO that! 😀
Shes sounds like a prude … but I will say this:
I have heard plenty of fellow Arabs mock, riducule and outright make racist remarks about other Westerners’ countries, “dirty” culture, and ethics, while living in a Western nation, far more than I hear Westerners mock Arab countries as this prude has done.
Just a thought.
-Ibn
Mercenaries…
dear friend
why don’t we go to alhasa and do our preaching there. we all came from somewhre else . why do we call newcomers mercinaries? is it to prove that we are bahrainis? what would you say to your wife if you ridecule the poor people who live in scotland or wherever. let have some respect for other people and discuss their points of views only and nothing else. with all due respect
Mercenaries…
This is an interesting point that you bring up, Mahmood. Rather than focus on her, particularly, why don’t we focus on the arab mindset that continually manages to be enthralled of foreigners (especially British foreigners in Bahrain). In Bahrain, I’ve heard this happen very often:
Example,
Recent graduate of University of Edinburgh finds his way in Bahrain as a result of his parents living here. Armed with an art’s degree, wasta, a plush suit, and Scottish accent manages to land a job as a manager of a large design agency. A job that he would perhaps (but not likely) qualified for after working 10 years if he was in Scotland. In Bahrain, all it took was the suit, his white looks and bam! He is getting paid far greater and above any other Arab employee.
If nothing else, when it comes to work, Arabs love their foreigners.
In the US, in order for a employer to qualify to provide a visa for his worker, the company is responsible for providing documentation that there is no US worker who is able to fulfill the current work load. Of course, employment rates of <%5 in the US make it possible (but not easy) for foreigners to find work, but there is enough applications for a job opening to warrant a good amount of competition. Compare this to Bahrain, where most of the time being foreign trumps any educational or experience merits. - Bassam
Mercenaries…
Can’t say I found her blog that shocking or offensive, for example this:
[i]Yes, I know it is terrible to be feeling like this, and yes, I am striving to change this dogmatic and somewhat unfair view I hold of this region. This totally defeats the purpose of travelling with an open mind and experiencing the region for what it is.[/i]
is pretty admirable. She admits she hates it, but wants to try to like it. And this:
[i]”One thing I’ve noticed in the few short hours in Bahrain is that the local men stare alot. I suppose I might need to get some more conservative clothes to gain credibility. Apparently, according to Mr Lonely Planet, men are nicer to women to don’t reveal too much flesh cos it shows a respect for their culture.”[/i]
What’s to complain about that? She’s clearly ignorant of culture here, as most new expats are, but she’s learning.
Admittedly I’m one of the Dubai whingeing expats, so it’s probably easier for me to empathise with her. But I really think you’ve picked an unfair target, particularly given your own emphasis on right to freedom of opinion and expression.
I also firmly believe that expats and locals both have rights to rant about the places they live in. I don’t think all expats are supposed to spend every second being “grateful” and buttoning their lips about the problems they see in their new countries. Even if the expat’s complaint is unjustified, it helps improve inter-cultural understanding to understand what different people’s find difficult to adjust to. Yes: we do find it disconcerting that men stare at us. Yes: you do find it disconcerting that we dress more revealingly. The point is not who is right or wrong, but that people on both sides are being made uncomfortable.
[i]”One thing I noticed about my Bahraini clients, they are very approachable, honest and down-to-earth, nothing like the HR assistant types you’d encounter in the UK, milking whatever power they had for what it was worth.”[/i]
I think you are doing this woman, the blogosphere, and the movement for free speech a grave disservice by your campaign.
Re: Mercenaries…
I beg to differ.
I am not against constructive criticism, even if it is unconstructive it does sometimes lead to a fix of a particular situation. What I am against wholeheartedly however is the manner it is said, that is, if it was tempered with a little bit of humbleness that a person might him or herself be in the wrong and not understanding of a situation, then it would be taken at face value and discussed to reach a resolution.
Not Ms. Chocho. The way she wrote is clearly vindictive, demeaning and demoralising. Her intention is to show how superior she is. That I will not take, nor will anyone else be inclined to view these tirades with any kindness.
With freedom of speech, comes responsibility. She has not demonstrated any responsibility other than slagging us. Even with that I shall support her right to voice her opinion, but just like anyone else she MUST be made to stand and defend her views, much like you and me do. Removing her site from existence or hiding it does not bode well for continued honest discussion.
You have selected the only 3 sentences she wrote which could be viewed in a positive light, those probably constitute less than one percent of her writing, which means that 99% of what she wrote is bad.
How so? By exposing someone who hates us I am doing a disservice to my country and the blogosphere? I don’t give a tuppence about this person, she most definitely is not going to make me lose any sleep whatsoever. I don’t particularly care about the blogosphere either, it, to me is a venue much like a newspaper where thoughts are written, I am not indebted to it at all.
Am I doing this woman a disservice though? I will disagree with you once again SecretDubai, I think I am doing her a huge service by showing her the error of her ways… and allow her to re-look at herself and her situation. She is very welcome to live amongst us if she changes her views and be more open; however, I can guarantee that this is never going to happen. A leopard does not change its spots. She has huge issues for such a young age and she will not even be happy in her own birth-country.
Re: Mercenaries…
I agree Chan’ad. Does that mean that because you recognise that she is somewhat “less wrong” in your experience, we should not criticise her and show her the error of her ways?
I am absolutely affronted and insulted by her thoughts and complaints about my home, in writing, as I would be if and when I hear anyone else, expat or local, taking the same line as this person. And I will continue to give them some of their own medicine back to defend what I hold dear.
Now if she wrote her thoughts on what she sees are wrong in her experience in this country in a civil manner rather than the derogatory fashion she has adopted, I might have taken another path.
Mercenaries…
secretdubai,
whist we do have to regonize her little comments of “understanding” here and there, her general disrespect towards the country and people who have provided for her has unfortuantely been more apparent. Lets not forged that she has also managed to delete some of her more offensive posts before they could be quoted. But out of those backed up take this quote for example:
“most Arabs aren’t very friendly at all, and to have a glimpse into their lives was a huge achievement where we’re concerned.” – November 2005 Archive.
Now please tell us that this woman does not suffer from a case of severe racial prejudice!
Mercenaries…
Mahmood,
I a little shocked to see this post on your blog. I check everyday because you always have something informitive or funny to say.
Myself, being an ex-pat, understand a lot of what she is writing. Coming to the Gulf can be a bit of a culture shock. I hated this region when I first moved here (Dubai). I have since moved to Bahrain and I love it. The majority of her posts seem to deal with her culture shock. The points that she makes about the asian women seem to ring true, the majority of asian ( not including Filipino ) women do appear to be hookers, or they work for gulf air. Regaurdless of their origion, women here are treated like meat. When I take my wife out, she dresses very conservativley but she still has people leering. It doesn’t take long before you get fed up and you react. She has chosed to use words, I normaly introduce them to my steel toes.
The comments she made about Indians definately have a racist twinge, but I have to admit finding some guilty pleasure knowing that someone else sees these things. I to have noticed some of the things she mentions. I would not try to steriotype the entire race but I think that we can all agree that there are some cultural differences.
You also make mention of Mercenaries. Yes, I do make more money here than I would back home and no, there is no one here qualified to do what I do but that doesn’t mean that I am raping your country. I like to travel, but not on vacation. I want to see the world, but not from a hotel. When I leave here, I will go somewhere else and do the same. While I’m here, I try to learn as much as I can about the people and show my respect. I am not a parasite, and most ex-pats are not.
Also, you poke fun at her sexuality by saying ” She’s not very satisfied with her partner sexually” because she has a dildo? So what, there is nothing wrong with having toys or spicing things up a little. I think you make to much of a big deal about this piont.
Anyway, that’s about all I have to say for now, I’m sorry in advance for the spelling, I’m not paid to spell.
James
Re(1): Mercenaries…
I don’t think Bassam’s point is too far off here. What he’s talking about are people who get things handed to them on a silver platter. What’s the universal rule of thumb when that happens? They eventually get bored with it and fail to appreciate it.
I was rather pissed off at her condescending attitude, but what else could you expect when upon arrival she is put up in a luxury apartment with “brownies” waiting on her hand and foot? I don’t think we need to have people come to the gulf who pass “loyalty tests”, but some sort of cultural exposure (on both sides, believe you me, sometimes it’s a culture shock to return to the island after a year or two of being away), but clearly we need to find and reward those people that appreciate being here, and appreciate it enough to use their wits to survive the heat, humidity and “local flavor” (Michael Jackson aside).
It’s one thing to be hospitable, but’s it quite another when someone abuses my good graces to be lazy and self-indulgent
Attitude is Everything
James, there is a reason why you and Secret Dubai have not been singled out for making observations about the Gulf (which HAVE elements of truth to them, many of them embarrassing to us). The both of you have things about the gulf that you like and dislike, but your approach to them is appropriate. Even if it is firm (steel toe boot) or satirical (secretdubai.blogspot.com), its ISN’T disrespectful.
Roger-girl just rubbed us all the wrong way. She clearly felt like interacting with Bahrainis, and Indians and Filbeeny was an inconvenience to her day, and not quite up to the standards of the Resort Island that she was promised.
No one likes a complainer.
Re(1): Mercenaries…
[quote](old, balding, pot-bellied)[/quote]
That’s it. I hate her too!
Re: Attitude is Everything
Precisely my thoughts, thank you John.
Re(1): Mercenaries…
Mahmood,
Have you considered the notion that the men ogling her are being culturally insensitive? After all, we have women walking around Washington in full hijab and nobody pays any attention to their style of dress. Women are free to dress as they please here. Why doesn’t the same freedom exist in Bahrain? From my perspective, what’s lacking here is not so much cultural sensitivity but cultural tolerance.
Steve
Re(2): Mercenaries…
Of course I considered it and I agree with you. Totally. However as much as I would love to give everyone the freedom to dress as they wish, one must realise where they are and what they can and cannot do within the culture. There is tolerance here, loads of it if you know how to work within the system.
We are not obliged to change our ways simply to please a pimply youth or anyone else for that matter. It is up to that person to at least read a little about the country they are visiting, and no, the Rough Guide; although good, is not gospel. An attempt must be made to understand the culture.
Let’s compare two experiences and then YOU come back and tell me who you think will have a much better, more pleasant experience here:
This lady who wrote about the abaya and the hijab, meeting local women, crashing local events and learning Arabic while reciprocating by teaching English, or this one?
I would certainly welcome the former with open arms. The latter… well, you know my feelings.
Re(2): Mercenaries…
Yes, that part just goes too far. Old, balding, pot-bellied men need love, too. That’s what I understand from, er, a friend.
Steve
Kissing Foreign Ass
[quote]Of course, employment rates of <%5 in the US make it possible (but not easy) for foreigners to find work[/quote] Eh? I think you mean the [b]un[/b]employment rate is <5% 🙂 But since we are on the subject, Bassam is right. There indeed does seem to be, at least in the Gulf States, an unsubstantiated amount of blind affinity for [i]white[/i]foreigners, particularly from the Western world. Its definately not a class issue, because a well off Indian is treated [i]very[/i] differently (in a negative way) than a well-off (white) Westerner, as Bassam pointed out. Frankly, its pathetic. Utterly, utterly, pathetic, if not outright racist. I have given some thought towards the issue, but I havent really formulated anything to talk about just yet...I think it might be a combination of falsely associating the success of Western countries with [b]every[/b] citizen, along with harbouring some form of an inferiority complex, and not having faith in ones owns capabilites, constantly having or wanting a nod from foreign companies/countries. Some raw thoughts, but I definately think this issue needs to be tackled. -Ibn [Modified by: Ibn (Ibn) on January 18, 2006 05:02 AM]
Mercenaries…
Mahmood, Mahmood, Mahmood,
I think your rage at this girl is disproportionate to any offense she’s committed. You’re being awfully thin-skinned and exaggerating her observations to be expressions of racism, colonialism, etc. I don’t see it.
So she’s discovered that Bahrain is not Edinburgh and doesn’t like the difference. So what? That’s her opinion. You have another, naturally enough, Bahrain being your home. Why must your two opinions agree? You have made a good stand against the government cracking down on bloggers they don’t like, yet ironically you are doing the same thing with this girl whose blog you don’t like. Are you really supporting freedom of speech or are you merely lobbying to have your ideas reign supreme instead of those of the current clique in power? Free speech is a messy affair, full of voices you may find obnoxious. All too often, the best ideas come from the margins and people who don’t like you give you the valuable criticism your friends dare not.
What mild criticism this girl makes is nothing, nothing compared to what comes back at the West and America in particular from the Middle East. Imagine if she called Bahrain the Great Satan, worshipped at a church that had “Death to Bahrain” scrawled on its altar, claimed Bahrain was harvesting the organs of Christians it killed for transplant, or insisted Bahrain invented dinosaurs to eat Westerners. Imagine how pissed off you’d be then.
Mahmood, I strongly recommend an adult beverage or two for you. Go yell at the dogs. Putter in the garden. Throw some dirt around. I believe all this anger is going to stroke you out eventually.
Steve
Mercenaries…
I agree with you, Mahmood, this woman clearly sounds like a snob. Her writing is also a bit elementary, just sounds like a rich ignorant person to me. But I was surprised at your chosen method to confront her. Comments such as:
[i]I am sure a half-educated-government-school-graduated-moron could do her job with much more passion and with infinitely more loyalty than this [b]bitch-in-heat[/b] whose only proviso is feathering her decrepit nest without any regard to bettering the very environment which is providing for her style of life[/i]
[i]Just shows that she’s culturally insensitive, and maybe [b]flat-chested [/b]to boot! Wishful thinking on her part; to get a cleavage that is well exposed to be worth looking at.[/i]
To me seem just a tad bit on the childish side. I know you are angry at her, I would be too if she said rude remarks about my country and culture, but it doesn’t mean you have to let that anger get to you so that it seems like a mud-slinging contest at each other, you don’t want to sound as ignorant as her. A good way to debate what a person has said is to not come back with snide remarks, but make a well-formed logical argument. Otherwise, people won’t take you seriously and will disregard your comments, since they seem more out of anger than anything else.
-Ash
[url]http://ashleysthoughts89.blogspot.com/[/url]
Re: Mercenaries…
Anger is a very powerful emotion. That went into overdrive as I read some of her racist and ignorant posts. Even with my outburst, it should not detract from the central problem we’re discussing here; this person is the embodiment of the meaning of mercenary, she obviously does not want to be here and wants to go back to her precious Singapore or Scotland which she is more than welcome to, one way, right now wouldn’t be too soon. I’m not casting doubt on other worthy people of those two countries, my own wife is Scottish; therefore, I know from personal experience that the vast majority are good people. This one just ain’t, no matter how you look charitably at her and her poisonous thoughts.
Re: Mercenaries…
The “cultural insensitivity” applies to the lady exposing her cleavage, rather than men looking at it. I’m not condoning leering; mind you. Just exposing of what a false pretensions this person has. If you read a few more of her posts you will come to understand how I arrived at that conclusion.
Re: Mercenaries…
Got that racism feelings off your chest now have you?
Good for you. I am really glad.
Don’t call me friend; however, that is very insulting.
Re: Mercenaries…
Bassam, thank you, I agree with your points raised; however, the discussion here pertains specifically to a person whose poisonous views on the country and people I love (Bahraini, Scots, etc.) are quite insulting at worst, and irksome at best.
Her derogatory comments should not go unnoticed; hence, I have shown how affronted I am by them and by her particular presence in our island in which she has no contribution other than to milch us dry and then disappears in her own wilderness without any kind thought to the country and people who have unwittingly contributed to her better well-being.
Re(3): Mercenaries…
[quote]Mahmood: “Of course I considered it and I agree with you.”[/quote]
Would you mind having that statement notarized, framed, and sent to me, please? I want to hang it on the wall above my computer in my den.
Of course, the first lady poster who is making friends among the locals is the more congenial. Not many people have her social skills and can pull that off. I doubt that your Singapore girl is being rude to anyone, either, though she is not immersing herself as deeply in Bahraini culture as the first lady. Most people in a foreign country tend to stick to public events at first, where the social interaction is minimal, which is about all they can handle. Individual relationships are more difficult, especially with a language barrier. That stops most people from fully engaging the culture.
When I was stationed overseas, you can’t help but notice that there are two general kinds of people. One kind is adventurous and inquisitive and wants to engage the new world he’s in. The other kind is a barracks rat who does not venture out at all. I have sympathy for both. I liked to get out and see the sights but it does fatigue you when the language is different, the customs are different, the people think differently. Even finding a bathroom can be an ordeal. After a long day of that, you just want to crawl back in your coccoon and hear your own language.
I would venture to add that there is not a one of us who has travelled away from home who has not thought the country we were visiting was all screwed up. We just haven’t written it down for all to see like Demme from Singapore. Heck, I moved from Texas to Washington, DC and I think DC is all screwed up. I doubt the Washingtonians would like to hear me spout off about what I think about a lot of dumb DC stuff, like all their restaurants suck. You can’t get decent Cajun food here, only hideous imposter dishes cooked by incompetents. Their grocery stores suck, too. Thank goodness our true thoughts about things are not transcribed and posted telepathically for the world to read. We’d all be in trouble.
I prefer to play the chameleon in new places and go with the flow. Frankly, the weirder it gets, the better I like it and the more I have to write about later. That’s not the way it works for everyone. It’s like the old rule of thumb: Five percent of the people you meet will love you on sight for no good reason, five percent will hate you for no good reason, and the rest won’t care until you give them a reason. Not everyone is going to love Bahrain on first sight. Shrug it off.
Steve
Mercenaries…
I would imagine she is a child of her upbringing. Grow up to expect people (maids or parents)waiting on you hand and foot and getting what you want and the results might not please some but its difficult to expect anything else when you have as shallow a mind as she seems to have.
billT
Mercenaries…
Having just read through this girls blog, (from start to finish as once I started I did not want my anger to stop, must be some sort of fetish!!) I have to agree with you Mahmood. She comes across as an ugly person. However, I have noticed that she is of Singaporean origin and NOT Scottish. As a proud Jock myself (a Scottish person for those of you unfamiliar with this term), I have to defend my people wherever possible and if you could please refer to her as Singaporean in any future remarks I would appreciatte.
P.S.I feel the need to join your excellent blog as having stumbled across it while trolling the internet, I am impressed with the content so far and it is great to see such an open forum where opinions are given the air to breethe. Well done.
Mercenaries…
[quote] I am sure a half-educated-government-school-graduated-moron could do her job with much more passion and with infinitely more loyalty[/quote]
i seriously doubt that
Bahrainisation kills this country. In every place where u go to purchase some good or service, and u see bahrainee (Travel agency, GulfAir office, Geant in Bahrain Mall, Auto service, Ibn Al Nafees hospital, Batelco help desk etc), u know, u’ll get a problem instead of what u want. U’ll have to wait, answer silly question, explain your problem 5 or 6 times, when u’ll have to wait again, untill this moron answers his phonecall, when u explain your problem once again, s/he calls manager, or he needs to go pray, or his working hours finish and on and on… And i’m very tired of all this shit, and i’m very glad that after 4 months my contract is over and I’ll leave this country hoping to never return again. [b]Problem[/b] is not in education of those ‘morons’ as u call them, problem is that [b]most of bahrainees don’t want to work[/b], they only want to be paid money. Worst of all, they know they can not be fired, and that employers are afraid of them.
But when you see indian or european at the counter, u can be sure they do their best to help you. Befor barking on foreigners you have to look at yourselves. LOL, [b]u demand[/b] respect from ‘merceneries’ U must have forgotten that this thing can only be earned?
Re: Mercenaries…
When you learn to spell, particularly the nationality of those whom you live amongst; and are thankfully about to bid you adieu – it is Bahrainis, rather than Bahrainees – maybe then you will be worth the effort and the money you are being paid.
But if you are – as you so succinctly put it – “very tired of this shit,” don’t wait, there are flights leaving to all points of God’s green earth daily. Make sure that you are on one of them, doesn’t matter to me which, to be frank, just get on one; today! Don’t delay, as once you are off I’m sure you will breath a sigh of relief.
As to Bahrainisation: you’re reading very very old newspapers. Maybe perusing new ones once in a while might have updated your information; no, the Sun and other tabloids don’t cover this area of the world, they’ve got people like you to cater for whose interest particularly lies in celebrity gossip and the like.
Now, should you wish to consult a dictionary to help you understand this topic; or this reply, you might consider using this one; else of course, there is always time still for you to complete your education from the primary stage you stopped at. Just some advice.
Re: Mercenaries…
If so, I profusely apologise. From what I have read (as much as I could stand) I had the impression that the gentle lady declared her affiliation to bonny Scotland. I shall have to re-read that dirge to ascertain her nationality more carefully, as much as I detest having high blood pressure again, but duty calls.
Mercenaries…
[quote]As to Bahrainisation: you’re reading very very old newspapers[/quote]
Dear blogger, thing is not about reading ’bout bahrainization. Thing is about interaction with Bahrainis over counter. Has it become better? Nope. If u don’t agree, just stop browsing and reading new newspapers and go look outside.
Regarding your generous advice… You know, there is such a thing called responsibility. I don’t want to harm my employer, he needs me, and bahrainisation as well as very poor quality of bahrain workforce is not his fault.
Mercenaries…
Mahmood, you were spot-on with the “bottom-of-the-barrel people” expression and I completely agree with you. I would like to share a personal experience. During my study days in Scotland I was top of my class, all of us Bahrainis were. These people knew nothing and I was telling the Bahraini guys there “These idiots you will find coming to Bahrain and becoming your superiors”. I have seen good qualities in college but these stay in their country and make it BIG there! That’s how we get those bottom-of-the-barrel people here, plus our current leaders (and I mean business leaders but doesn’t exempt other type of leaders from being mentioned) have what we call “3oqdat el7omor” so they worship anyone British cuz this is how it went from the time gone by. Hopefully it will change as I see more and more new generation Bahraini managers getting power and these are the ones who studied abroad and know what these kinds are like.
Regards,
LiB Team ([url]http://lifeinbahrain.blogspot.com[/url])
Mercenaries…
Oh, and by the way, I think “LEECHES” would be a better word instead of mercenaries, cuz at least mercs will praise you and suck you dry of your cash, but until that happens and switch their loyalty, they will be momentarily loyal to you but with this leech we have here she’s already talking shit while sucking the cash dry out of us. leeeeeech.
LiB Team ([url]http://lifeinbahrain.blogspot.com[/url])
Re: Mercenaries…
So far, I’ve discovered that:
– She’s not very satisfied with her partner sexually. She’s brought in a vibrator into the island which was seen by the customs guy and let her have her precious “Roger” as she calls it.
– Her partner, RJ, has sexual issues too, he brought with him two pairs of hand-cuffs. I wonder if they have a video camera, it would be interesting to have a look at their home movies.
– She does mention Edinburgh and Glasgow quite a lot, and quotes prices in both UK Pounds and Singapore Dollars. Various references to work in a recruitment agency in Edinburgh specifically, maybe that’s why I thought that the lady is Scottish…
– She’s very cheap. Waiting for “happy hour” to get stuffed.
– She’s 24 and her partner is small. Read into this what you will.
– She’s an alcoholic.
– Ah, this might confirm that she is indeed of Asian extraction:
She’s also a racist and a bigot
– She’s a homophobe and is ready and willing to have multiple sexual partners.
– She’s got an inferiority complex:
– She absolutely adores her breasts, and thinks that everybody else does as well! There are far too many references to them; I wonder if they were paid for?
So the search ends, unfortunately no mention specifically where the lady is from. It doesn’t really matter to me one whit. But based on the facts above she does appear to NOT be Scottish. Might be by marriage now though.
I shall dutifully now remove that particular reference to her being Scottish.
Re: Mercenaries…
What? “…the company is responsible for providing documentation that there is no US worker who is able to fulfill the current work load.”
Oh come on, Bassam! You know as well as everyone, that immigration wants to ensure that the worker applying for a work visa will not become a burden on the US’ welfare system– it merely ensures that anyone coming over on a work visa has the wherewithal to purchase a ticket to their country of origin and maintains enough of a monthly salary to live by their own means.
America is still ‘wide-open’ for all talent, so long as you jump through the paperwork hurdles. America after all is a country founded by people from all over the planet– it makes a very culturally-rich environment and has opportunities for all.
Bahrain should clamp down on expats as their own young get technologically advanced. I remember taking a class at New Horizons and Bahraini college students were complaining that their school teachers did not understand the materials themselves.
Once the training becomes adequate, local ingenuity will flourish.
Re: Mercenaries…
A word on the name of her blog website, Travellingchocho:
In Spanish, “chocho” means C-U-N-T.
Sorry– there’s no politically sensitive way to say that word, but there it is.
Cowardly Mercenary
Well, she’s done what I expected of her: she’s closed her blog for “friends” only:
and my reply, just for the record because I am fairly sure that she will delete it:
No, what we have done is not whine, that’s your exclusive domain. What we did is dismember that so called “not narrow-minded by any standards” and found out that you are indeed the very opposite of what YOU want to people to view you as.
We welcome constructive criticism with open arms and open minds; how else can a nation or indeed a person become better? But your own disgusting and poisonous diatribes are anything but constructive and most certainly are not criticisms. What you have, my dear lady who attaches far too much value on her breasts, is nothing more than a huge inferiority complex that you must seek resolution for, or accept some advice.
All is not lost however, our open invitation for you, RJ and Roger to leave these shores is still widely open.
The place you occupy is reserved for other people; foreign or national, who can provide some benefit to this country and all of its inhabitants without the denigrating, xenophobic look you espouse.
Now if you wish some dialogue which would benefit you and your outlook on life, I suggest that (1) you leave this comment alone and not delete it – thereby proving that you do in fact intend to reasonably accept the differing points of view of which you accuse us of not accepting, and (2) open your “journal” for others to see what you’re made of. Hopefully with time you and your readers would look back and compare how far you have come, and how far your xenophobic and prejudicial traits have been left behind, (3) I would like access to your journal, will you add me to the list of voyeurs?
update: click here for a cached version of the blog which she has completely deleted now.
Re: Mercenaries…
From what I read she was uncomfortable with her maid. I can sympathize with that. When I was stationed in the Philippines, everyone had a live in maid for $10 to $15 per week. It was an odd experience for me. I wasn’t used to somebody else being in my home. I wasn’t used to somebody else waiting on me. My maid would get mad at me when I did things for myself. It was kind of a surprise for my house-mate and I when we came home from work to have dinner on the table. It was a surprise for our maid when we insisted she sit down to dinner with us. There were a lot of wrinkles to iron out in the relationship. Having a live-in servant felt too odd and decadent. In the end, we came to treat her as a fellow housemate who took care of the house.
Steve
Mercenaries…
I will donate $100.00 us towards a one way ticket off the Island for this “lady” and I will do it in person. I do hope she takes me up on the offer. This is the perfect excuse for me to come back to Bahrain!
cerebralwate
Mercenaries…
Crikey, i don’t think i have ever read a blog & comments relating to a non-political issue that has so much emotion from everyone!
Anyway Mahmood, technically you’ll have to invite her to the next bloggers’ gathering !!!!
Johnster
Re: Mercenaries…
Ah, that’s a good idea. Chocho/Delle or whatever you call yourself: consider yourself invited to our next gathering which is going to be on Feb 2nd at 8pm in Cappuccino’s Cafe on the Saar Road. Please bring RJ and Roger with you will you please? We’d like a demonstration.
But the twit went and deleted her blogspot blog…. thankfully I’ve got the backups:
September 2005 Archive
October 2005 Archive
November 2005 Archive
December 2005 Archive
Aren’t I good?
Update: Here’s the January archive and its comments:
January 2006 Archive
January 2006 Comments Archive
Mercenaries…
Returning to my point, I think she even best sums up my exact sentiments about the hiring of ‘white’ foreigners.
“After the finals on the last day of the rugby sevens, we went to the cricket club for beers along with the rest of the troop. I got talking to some of the, erm, older crowd, who are seasoned expats about what they do etc. It sort of confirmed the niggling feelings I got from my 3 months here that a lot of expats really get paid waay too much for what they’re worth. Just cos they’re white, I reckon. My my, when will we see the end of colonialism?
Don’t get me wrong – I’m sure these well-paid expats are all very capable in their own rights, but say, an Indian or a Pakistani in the same position won’t be getting half as much. I mean, this guy I was chatting to (who incidentally was talking to my breasts rather than to me) was employed to be a big-shot consultant in Asia had only a mediocre engineering background and a fresh piece of MBA certificate!”
Gulf Arabs are in love in hiring foreigners who appear to be superior due to their skintone rather than their qualifications. An important distinction I would like to make – I still believe we can benefit greatly from foreigners who do have something to bring to the table (highly skilled labor, managements position..etc). But for the more entry-level jobs, I am quite sure there are a fair amount of Bahrainis who are more than capable of doing their jobs…
– Bassam
Mercenaries…
Good job Mahmood….unfortuanetly she managed to delete her most recent journals which were some of the most higly offensive….particulalrly where she showed her “appreciation” for scarved women and her disrespect towards the Arabic dialect upon landing in Bahrain after her holiday! Anyway I think we can all learn a lesson from this and perhaps stengthen our bonds of mutual respect to those foreigners who appriciate what Bahrain and its people have to offer them.
Re(1): Mercenaries…
ahahahaha nice job Mahmood, damn you are good!
LiB Team
Mercenaries…
This comment is kind of tangential to your post Mahmood, so feel free to delete it if I’ve strayed too far off the main point.
I’ve only read a few of the blogger’s posts, so I have no intention of defending her, but she doesn’t seem half as racist or xenophobic as many other people I’ve met in Bahrain. Among expats (both Western and Asian) you can find them sitting in top management positions who think they have been sent by God to tame these uncivilized bedus. You can also find them right the way though to the very botton of the economic ladder: labourers who hate all Bahrainis/Arabs universally because of a bad experience with their employers.
And the problem exists the same among many Bahrainis also. A while ago I was in the presence of someone very high up in the Labour Ministry who deals with migrant workers… he’s educated and very well paid… yet he insists on referring to expat workers derogatorily as “kafirs” who dont deserve any sympathy. There are Bahraini employers who view the culture of their employees as unclean. And there are other racists who use the term “Filipina” synonymously with “prostitute”.
Even within Bahrainis there exists a huge amount of racism and discrimination. I’ve met Bahrainis belonging to one sect who view the followers of the other sect as dirty evildoers. The same kinds of divisions exist within the expat community.
In my opinion the reason for this all is, for a large part, due to the stratification and segregation of society in Bahrain (and in much of the Gulf for that matter), a point which I’ve written about several times on my own blog. Of course some social segregation exists in every country, but not to the same extent that it has been in the Gulf countries since the oil boom. Every community here lives separate from the other, go to different schools, are employed in separate industries, and have different leisure spots. You have to make a real effort if you want to learn about and genuinely interact with one of the other cultures in Bahrain. In some other places in the world (I’m thinking of some cities in Europe and North America) the society is structured such that different communities are almost forced into interacting with each other.
Anyways, none of this is meant to excuse people from being racist, but just explains part of the reason why it exists more here in Bahrain than in some other places.
Re: Mercenaries…
Sorry, I keep forgetting to sign in or sign my name.
— chan’ad
Re: Mercenaries…
Oh absolutely! I am absolutely sure that there is not a single country in the world which can depend on its own people or workforce to satisfy its needs. By definition if this is the case then you will find a country with no science, no innovation and no creativity, because these facets do not know borders so if a country does want to move forward, it must be ready and willing to welcome experts to help it along into the future. Bahrain needs these experts a lot more than the experts need it.
My personal experience overwhelmingly suggests that the more knowledgeable a person gets, the more empathetic that person is with his surroundings, his community and is very courteous.
The old adage which says that “empty vessels make the loudest noise” stands very true in this particular situation. The girl is morally and socially bankrupt, hence all the brainfarts we get from her.
But that by no means should reflect on the vast majority of guests here with whom we have lived quite happily for centuries.
Re: Mercenaries…
Steve, the only reason you like this person is probably because she’s writing against us Arabs. And we all know your position on that one. I bet if she wrote just one single derogatory comment about the States you would have another position.
In the same thread, this time I do NOT agree with you.
Mercenaries…
fascinating reading!
I posted the first comment and watched this conversation unfold.
Mahmood may be strong and forceful in this here, his blog, his home, but his point is indeed well taken. The blogging-creature so unappreciative of her host country, except for the piggy-bank part, and the happy-hour, is no mercenary. She does not have what it takes to be a mercenary, not really. Unfortunately there are lots more where that one came from and elsewhere.
http://gramatica.blogspot.com/
Re(1): Mercenaries…
Well, the agreement was nice while it lasted. I like to think of it as something like a rainbow, beautiful but brief, all too brief.
For the record, I don’t know whether what she wrote was on the money or off. It was just another slice of the Middle East to toss in the brain basket and measure against the others. None of these topics she covered have more than a trivial concern for me. My only grievance against the Middle East is that its Islam preaches and executes violence against Americans. I don’t really care if you guys throw your seat cushions on the field after a sports event. It’s a curious event but nothing more. All my criticism of Islam and Arab society springs from its murderous actions against Americans. End that and my criticism ends.
You’re right that I would probably defend America if she spoke out against it, although if she nitpicked it like she did Bahrain I probably wouldn’t bother. If she made a fair criticism, rarely done from Middle Eastern sources, I might well agree with her. If it was a simple matter of differing taste, I’d shrug it off.
All that said, Mahmood, you are getting awfully fired up about what some silly girl wrote on a blog. I still recommend the drink or two. I can’t help but notice that nice guy that you are, about every two weeks YOU JUST GO BALLISTIC over something or other. Not that I blame you. I do the same thing and catch myself half-shouting in public like a crazy person every now and then. Come to think of it, I have a new bottle of Bailey’s at home I was meaning to give as a Christmas gift. I might just take my own advice.
Here’s To Ya, Mahmood,
Steve
Re: Cowardly Mercenary
Her original post is still there
Your reply is still there also.
I’m a little taken aback to see this blog devolve into a forum for venting so much outrage over the postings of this woman. She was expressing her perceptions developed during her initial exposure to a culture completely foreign to her. Face it, not everybody will be comfortable visiting a foreign land. Perceptions vary. A crowded elevator smells very different to a midget. It was her blog. The blog-sphere is full of people’s opinions that other individuals may find offensive or even hateful. Getting wrapped around the axle over some twit’s personal entry on her own blog is a total waste of energy.
Mercenaries…
No offence, Mahmood, but I took a look at this woman’s blog expecting to see it full of searing insults and abuse but all I found was someone who’s obviously got herself into a situation that is making her uncomfortable and miserable and who thinks she must stick it out for a while longer in order to achieve her longer term goals. Yes, it’s annoying when someone comes to your country for purely economic reasons and then seems to have little or nothing good to say about it, but it happens every where. There are plenty such people living in the UK and behaving in exactly the same way or much worse (take a look at the trial of Abu Hamza for a really extreme example). It would be wonderful if people who go to live and work in another country were all polite and balanced criticism of what they dislike about a country/culture with an appreciation of what is what is good about it. But there are people everywhere who just aren’t like that.
Re(1): Mercenaries…
Madame Chocho, weysh feech intee?
Khal-li RJ wal-li!
Khal-li “Roger” wal-li! ‘Andi CYLINDER il-lich!
Bejeeblich cylinder al-Hin ‘aad!
Scott
Putative Bahraani cultural attaché
Re(2): Mercenaries…
I’ve got my ginseng green lemon tea this morning… cheers! 😉
Re(2): Mercenaries…
Steve, when you travel somewhere, you try your best to fit in. In North America, part of fitting in is actually having a wide range of clothes style. In other countries it is not always true. What is the point of traveling if you are going to behave, dress, etc. as you do at home?
I, for one, would love to go to Bahrain to work, but I would feel a bit weird being the 31st Jew in the country.
Mercenaries?
I chanced upon this after a few referrals from blogs all over.
I must say it is nature to complain about things we are not accustomed to, and at the end of it, what else is a blog for?
It must also definitely offend the locals to read “disparaging” (or what may seem disparaging) remarks about their country and themselves by a foreigner. That is life, we live with it everyday. We flame, we bitch and it goes on and on and on.
But i think at the end of the day, “ChoCho” did not mean to go out on a limb to spread illwill about Bahrainis or to deliberately thumb them down. It is just a cultural difference that she vocalised. She did mention enjoying quirks of the country and she did try to socialise with people outside what she was familiar with (which incidentally is very rare and i think commendable for someone from as vastly different a custom as she is from. I cant imagine a “rich, arrogant bitch” attempting that). At the end of the day, she is in Bahrain with her husband/bf and trying to make something else out of her life. And im sure she has the necessary qualifications needed to bag the job she did as well. Perhaps frustrations should be directed towards her employer’s love for “the other”.
I think Mahmood has the right to be pissed off about some foreign girl “slagging” off his country and his fellow men (i would and i would definitely share the same initial reactions that he did) but i also think “ChoCho” has her right to voice her experiences and feelings. Perhaps if we want to work towards some form of diminishing such differences, we should discuss things rationally instead of calling names and injecting sarcasm into every reply.
I dont seem to have read it but did i miss “ChoCho” being vindictive in return to Mahmood’s fiery comments to her blog? Let sleeping dogs lie, what is said has been said, im sure the “dumb dog” has learnt her lesson.
It is easy to generalise an entire race/country/creed in one line but it is hard to repair differences and accept that it does take 2 hands to clap at the end of the day. We have to admit that for everyone of us who feel indignant about what others point out about us, there are many amongst our own people who DO commit the mistakes that others complain about. Who can we blame? Do we really always have to blame?
“To err is human; to forgive, Divine.”
This blog exchange will serve as a reminder for us to be racially and culturally sensitive (not just tolerant).
~Singaporean
Re(3): Mercenaries…
Cultural exchange is a two way street. You can learn more about a culture by fitting in and they can learn a lot about your culture if come as you are.
For example, in the Philippines, only boys wear shorts. Men wear pants. However, it is just too, too hot for Americans to be running around Luzon in jeans in 100+ degree weather. So we wore shorts and it all worked out. The Philippinoes are a pretty tolerant bunch and they didn’t make a big deal of it.
I don’t think you need to give up your identity to visit another culture. There is a certain value to advertising you are American by your clothing. When in Japan, kids often want to practice their English on you, so you get in some interesting and weird conversations. In a lot of countries the kids are fed a bunch of propaganda about Americans, like in South Korea, so that when they come face to face with you and discover you’re not some sort of colonialist monster there to take over their country, it provides a reality check for them.
So you might try a little of both.
Steve
Mercenaries…
Hm,
maybe as a counterbalance i also should point out good things a like about Bahrain, hopefully no other comment comes in the meantime, so this sticks to my previous post.
I like the pace in which the country lives, its much more relaxed than in Germany.
I like the diversity of food. I like the souq, i like the driving through the desert. I even like driving within Manama, even if you have to think for all the other id**ts all by yourself.
I like a dhow trip in summer.
Hope this smoothes the impressions that i also have only negative things to say. 🙂
Kazarr
Mercenaries…
damn, my english grammar sucks today. sorry for that.
“..Hope this smoothes the impressions that i also [like Demme] have only negative things to say..”
Re: Mercenaries…
Kazaar, you’re more than welcome here (Bahrain and the Den).
Can you please point out the shop that sells the Nazi flag in the Yateem centre? I would personally like to visit and give the owner a piece of my mind. Maybe he is stupid enough not to understand the significance.
As to those from Citibank who told you that “Hitler is good,” you should have immediately lifted the phone and called their boss. This is completely inexcusable on their part, especially when they’re on a sales pitch! What kind of weirdos does Citibank employ?
Mercenaries…
Traveling Chocho,
Please excuse the way and manner that you have been attacked. I hope you understand that this is only a natural reaction to us. I don’t know whether or not you will understand that we (Bahrainis) are all born with a very very strong passion to love and adore this tiny island called Bahrain. It is important that we inform you that ALL Bahrainis no matter what their political ideas or trends all possess patriotism far greater than any you have seen before.
Bahrain is a unique land. A land that offers many opportunities to people like you. A land that welcomes outsiders and warms them providing work, a lifestyle (very different to what one can afford in the UK), security, freedom of religion and fantastic chance to all good things.
Bahrain is generous, its people kind, hospitable and much more educated and open minded than anyone in the region. Bahrain offers freedom especially to you foreigners in a kind gesture attempting to make you less homesick, to recreate a glimpse of home, thanking you for your services in our country. Bahrain offers a cosmopolitan environment, a balance between tradition and modernity, a playground for an international community….An experience of a lifetime for intellectual experience seeking individuals such as yourself. We are rich in culture, arts, history, literature… Our traditions and culture unique and interesting. Not to mention we are one of the oldest civilizations to exist.
Now, when you decide to bad mouth this good country and its people I suggest you be more comforting with your views. Yes, we are all entitled to our opinions without having to overwrite other people’s boundaries. What you said was not pure evil or anything. The way you said it, is what hurts. When we open our land to outsiders we don’t expect them to stab is in the back or to paint a bad vision of us and show it to the outside world.
Rude? I’m sorry I can’t agree that Bahrainis are rude. And I might add that I haven’t heard a single foreigner say this about us. Please tell me how Bahrainis are rude. In fact I am one who holds an opinion that most Bahrainis are actually rather partial to the “white skinâ€? (Excuse my phrase). Which is rather unfair to other foreigners. Nevertheless…
I have lived in the UK since I was a little girl; in fact I was born there, which means I hold a British nationality. However, I’m Bahraini, I look Bahraini, speak Arabic with a dreadfully harsh accent, (English with a Londoners accent; as this is where I have lived) and am very proud of being Bahraini, I would never change that for the world!
However, when I go back to England as soon as my plane is landing overlooking the grey skies, the dark sand washed buildings, the smoggy depressing streets, the hostile chill experience, as I enter the arrival hall and proceed towards the immigration traveling on my Bahraini Passport (Although I am a diplomat) I’m looked down on, Officers with the stiff British upper lip are rude because of the colour of my skin (Now 7 out of 10 times the officer is actually an Indian, I beg your pardon a British National… Wink Wink), because I am Arab. However, this doesn’t bother me as I smile to myself and think “its good to be backâ€?!
ON the street of the English Country sides people mutter under their breaths when they see us. Once an old man on a train back from Chichester asked me to go back to where I came from, he said we don’t want you black people in our country. I smiled back at him and said nothing. Now I can go on and on about how rude the English are but I am grateful to a country that provided me with an education and instilled in me through the experiences I have encountered while living there values far greater than Bahrainis who were less fortunate than I was. I respect the UK and its people for whatever I have gained in my time living with them. (BY the way the UK earned quite a lot off my dad in the mean time :)).
When you walk on the streets in Bahrain and someone tells you to go home and calls you white trash or if your ethnicity is abused, that’s when you have the right to call people rude. When you claim that there is gender inequality or that we are arrogant and uncivil whilst admitting that your views are dogmatic you kind of throw me over the edge not knowing what you really think of my home, Bahrain. I also don’t agree that we shouldn’t read your blog, because it not only interests me what you think of my country, but it concerns me when your telling outsiders how bad this place is, when on the contrary you are leading them on by dogmatic views as you yourself admit.
What I’m trying to say is that every place may have its ups and downs, its good and its bad. But I think you went overboard in your comments about this lovely Island. And i trust that once you really have to leave you will find it so difficult because those who are lucky enough to have lived in Bahrain are really blessed. U will miss it one day and wish you never had to leave. This place has a certain charm that rubs off on people and never fades away.
All my Bahraini fellows, this is not how we were raised. We were raised by Bahrain to welcome people and be kind and generous. If one doesn’t like it here they are also welcome to leave. All these foreigners are here for one reason and one reason only because they get a better life here. They are not doing us a favour we receive their services for a wage that we offer them. Please don’t let this “hired help”, who in my opinion is not in anyway indispensable to rile you with her empty comments. I understand how their ungrateful comments hurt us and might make us react in haste. But, we must remember who we are and who they are. Remember it is your kindness and your rich Arab traditions that prove this young Miss Understood wrong.
To all those foreigners who think that they are better than Bahrainis. I ask how? Bahrain is a land of opportunities for you and you were lucky enough to get the chance. You must respect and adore this country and its people. Dare not think that a Bahraini is not more than capable of taking your job. No one is indispensable!
Mahmood, I was a bit upset about the comment about ” I am sure a half-educated-government-school-graduated-moron could do her job with much more passion and with infinitely more loyalty than this bitch-in-heat”. Why are you putting down this Bahraini government school educated student? I think its a rather harsh comment.
1) Its not his fault the Education System in this country is below international standards
2) Many Government School Graduates are today the Doctors, Lawyers and Business Minds behind this country today. Although ones education is important I don’t think you have the right to undermine a government school student and say he/she is less than a private school kid.
Sorry, i just find that your comment undermining the majority of Bahrainis who attend local school gives fuel to these “Mercenaries” to attack us Bahrainis.
To those who think that Bahrainis are not capable…Go back and look at the pioneers who lead this country, Haji Hassan Al A’ali, Yousif Khalil Almoaayed, Yusif bin Yusif Fakhroo and many other successful entrepreneurs who in turn brought up today’s educated entrepreneurs and drove Bahrain towards the future. ERRR… In case you guys haven’t noticed they are Bahraini!! Look at today’s generation.. I am today’s generation and it makes me furious with anger when people undermine Bahrainis or think that some English middle aged white skin house wife can do the job better than me.. I am Bahraini, I am educated, I am 1000% capable of pursuing any challenge put across to me.. and this is my country.. Hence, I should be no.1 Priority!
Warm Bahraini Regards,
S Ashoor
Re: Mercenaries…
Oh, oh. Pandora’s box has been opened.
Steve
Re(1): Mercenaries…
I can see you rubbing your hands… so quit it! 😉
Mercenaries…
This week I learned of a Jordanian living in the United States who was trying to recruit other people to help him through the Internet in his plan to assemble a bomb to plant somewhere. The FBI arrested him. Last night I watched a Saudi by the name of Masra, living in England, look a reporter in the eye and tell him it was perfectly right for him to host a website showing suicide bombers blowing up British soldiers and show beheadings of civilians (he claimed Islam recognized no such thing as civilians).
I can’t help but be amused at how everyone on this forum is flying off the handle over poor Demme’s mild criticism of Bahrain. Imagine what you’d think if she was distributing video of Bahrainis being beheaded or soliciting help to build a big bomb to blow up the local mall in Manama.
Steve
Re: Mercenaries…
Well said Ms. Ashoor, and I wholeheartedly apologise for denigrating the government-school grads. That was out of form.
Re: Mercenaries…
Steve, you have my permission to kill those two animals. Or at least put them in front of a judge for hate crimes, as we would do in Bahrain; the centre of the world.
Re(2): Mercenaries…
Please note how I am not piling on, Mahmood. I look at Demme’s posts and realize that I could have rewritten her criticisms to target America. For example, she writes about Bahrainis acting crazy at sports events and tearing up their seats. Heck, America can beat that. Periodically, sports fans stream out of a stadium here and celebrate by pitching a riot complete with broken shop windows and burning cars, garnished with beatings and arrests. Demme compains about Arabs being rude. The rudest town I have ever visited in Asia, Europe, or North America is Georgetown right here in DC.
By objecting so strongly to Demme, you are inviting confirmation of her criticism by the local Western ex-pats. This backlash was inevitable.
However, I will take a seat in the sidelines, pitching out the occassional catcall to whichever side seems to warrant it at the moment.
Steve
Re(1): Mercenaries…
The Jordanian is being dealt with. The Saudi is getting away with it, courtesy of Western free speech.
However, I beg to differ with your choice of planetary centers, which is actually in north Dallas, as every right-thinking person knows.
Steve
Mercenaries…
Thrilling, fast paced, twists and turns, high octane action, a few crashes and a happy crowd. No, I’m not talking about the Bahrain Grand Prix. I am of course referring to one almighty thread. From start to finish (not yet I doubt), this hot subject has captivated audiences and held the attention of this particular reader. I have heard talk of it from Spinneys to Traders. It may even get a mention in the GDN!
I feel it may be coming to an end however, with all points of view thoroughly covered. Some of you will still feel anger, others will feel satisfaction. Some may even learn that their point of view was wrong and will try and be more tolerant in the future. Most will accept that everyone is different and no matter how much you shout, some of us just wont listen.
One thing is for sure………..blogs are great!
Lez
Mercenaries…
I was wondering where i could find a picture of this arrogant woman who thinks she is a beauty queen, So then i can be the judge 😀
Mercenaries…
Hm, till today i found the author of this blog informative, humourful and more the way i would like to see more “Arabs” (if you excuse the use of this generalisation term).
But reading through this mercinary article AND the comments shows me an other side as well.
Beeing a German and *locally* employed (am i still an expat? or do one need to be send by some foreign company here? hm, i have no clue (or interest *g) ) i have seen the last year a lot of the issues which the “Demme” blogger is writing about.
I left Germany for the chance to live and work in a foreign country and i consider myself open-minded enough, despite cultural differences (which were to be expected, naturally).
But after nearly a year i am sadly disappointed (because i thought of them as friendly, kind, positive etc. as the Muslims/Arabic people i know back in Germany) in many aspects of “the Bahraini People”.
Since i work for a local Bahraini company, i see daily the Bahrainis which are only employed for the foreigners visa.
And if even the Bahraini boss of this company (which exists over 15 years) employs not even a handfull of his people for jobs more than a driver, what impression do you get?
As far as i have seen and experienced, Bahrainis wants the salary of “Whites”, but are lazy as hell and avoid or even disobey work-orders, when it doesnt suit them.
This is only my point of view, maybe other companies are different, but reading the given blog and having talked a lot with other people, i see my encounter in many other companies as well.
And talking about “Whites”. I hate it. As Demme also have written, the racismus of the “Arabs” ( i really dont know how to put it in a better term and the racismus is the same; doesnt matter if i speak with a Saudi, Bahraini, Egypt etc. [at least so far]) makes me sick.
Freedom is one thing. But shops in Yateem Centre (? i think it was there) where you can buy Hitlers Hakenkreuz flag, or (arabic) sales people form Citibank, which wants to do small talk by saying “oh, you are german? hitler, good man..”
And i dont have to even stress the behaviour towards non-white people… Indians, Asians etc. , not to mention women.
So all in all, a lot of things in this country needs improvement, from my point of view.
If the Bahraini people also wants it, its not me to decide.
I can only do my little part and try to positivly influence the behaviour and minds of people i dont agree with.
And reading all the abusive words in the comments here and the fun-making of this Demme is also not very convincing in generating a better image.
Kazarr
Re(1): Mercenaries…
I for one can vouch seeing people in swastika shirts walking around Seef Mall and acting all nonchalant about it. Also, when certain people *cough*PresidentofIran*cough* thought it was a good idea to say that the Holocaust was a myth created by the Jews and the US, the sycophants cheered without even thinking that Germany to this day is still trying to put such a horrible time behind them. He can be anti-Semetic as much as he wants, heck, people would have more respect for him if just said it out loud (and he probably does anyway). But spouting that kind of ignorance (unintentionally or not) when we’ve seen the horrifying evidence is just disturbing and just re-enforces negative stereotypes about middle easterners.
Guess living there for a few years during college and being treated well (particularly during the weeks following 9/11) just made it a sensitive issue for me.
Wolfwood
Mercenaries…
Mahmood
Give the poor girl a break! I feel like I am in a school playground. As for her cultural reference (i.e. Scottish vs Singaporean), I am inflamed that you can even suggest that her views can almost be proportionately summed up in the race of one people – through reference to her nationality. Whatever happened to respect for an individual’s views, instead of encouraging segregation or ‘blame’?
I am an Australian, and in Bahrain a Jordanian man once told me that he had a ‘cultural problem’ with me!! So much for PC in the 21st century of the Middle East. I found it vile, un-educated and ill-mannered. But I am not going to assume all Jordanian people are racist. Yes, it felt like a personal attack against not only myself, but also my country – and we all do carry a deep-found respect and pride of our home country’s. But let’s not start playing ‘Sticks and Stones’ … surely there’s a better way for us all to unite despite our individual views.
‘The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white.
Neither need you do anything but be yourself’. (Lao Tse)
Mercenaries…
After reading all of these postings all I can query is if you, yourself asked your wife if she felt alienated upon arrival to Bahrain, especially being a western woman and all?
Food for thought…maybe you should ask her for her opinion instead of blogging all the time?? You might be surprised. I know I was!!
Re: Mercenaries…
My wife’s culture shock was extreme when she arrived here. Sure. But did she go all out spreading hate about her new home? No, she tried to understand her surrounding and live within the bounderies of her new society and challenging them once in a while in a constructive, and polite manner. Unlike the lady in question.
Re: Mercenaries…
I have. Or haven’t you been reading the comment just before yours?
Re: Mercenaries…
Sarah, are you back at the circuit now?
Mercenaries…
Nope, I’m not working there if thats what you mean. Sure miss it. Would love to go back though with all that has changed! 😀
I’m working for my father now, we’ve got the dealership for Gemballa in Bahrain. So its exciting! Wanna tune your cayenne? hehe..
Cheers,
Sarah Ashoor
Re: Mercenaries…
Hey that’s excellent! Well done. What’s Gemballa when it’s at home and why would I want to tune the Cayenne?
Mercenaries…
Thanks Mahmood… Hope all is well.. Hope to see you around the Circuit soon..
Regards,
Sarah Ashoor
A truce has been called
Delle/Chocho has called a truce and offered an apology, which I hope is sincere, although time will tell. Unfortunately however her “real” blog is still closed and there is no way for us if she talks sweet in one, and flogs us in the other.
However; we’ll give her the benefit of the doubt for the moment…
Re(1): Mercenaries…
Hi Mahmood,
hm, the shop in Yateem was on the basement level. They sell all kind of merchandise, flags (Che, BobMarley etc.) and posters, leather bracelets, pin buttons..stuff like that.
Since it was in May05 (in my early days here) i cant remember any better by now. Still have a picture around, but not much to see beside the nazi flag on it.
And with my “initiation” to the other malls like Seef, i never was in Yateem again, sorry.
And the guy from Citibank…well some of his supervisor(? i am not quite sure) called me later and asked if he called me etc… she neither was very excited as i told her about his statement.
I did it my way and dont do business with them, even if they might have better options than other banks.
Cheers,
Kazarr
Re(2): Mercenaries…
Hopefully it was the same guy i saw at a Shawarma stand opposite Ferrari Centre. Because that would mean, that there is only *one* idiot around.
Mercenaries…
Didn’t catch your drift.. ??
S. Ashoor
Re: Mercenaries…
I am not familiar with Gemballa and am inviting you to tell us more about it.
Mercenaries…
Alright. Gemballa is a World Renowned German Automobile Manifacture/Designer Label. We are currently preparing to make Bahrain the centre for the Middle East and have embarked on a 5 year plan ultimatley leading to having a Workshop to actually produce the German Cars as a national product in Bahrain by Bahrainis trained to the perfection of German Expertise.
Gemballa specializes mainly in Porsches. Tuning of the engines, Enhancing sound, power, looks, suspension, wheels and various luxurious accessories for an individual and lavish experience.
“In a nutshell Gemballa means super fast eye grabbing power cars. It is so as this company in Leon berg, Germany opens its workshop doors to release yet another creation onto the quiet road leading to a passionate horizon for the select few. Offering an extensive range of styling, handling, sound and power product is the root to personalizing their own vehicle. Gemballa offers a complete package of experience with styling, tuning, suspension, wheels and other accessories delivered with fine German expertise.”
Take a peak at the site, our regional site should be launched soon as well.. Enjoy! http://www.gemballa.com
Cheers,
S. Ashoor
Re: Mercenaries…
Wonderful Sara, good luck!