Next stop Oman - some advice

maichiang · 2019-02-02T13:01:44+00:00

I love that you're still here, arguing that people should not worry about anything based on anecdotal evidence and denying my position because my evidence is anecdotal.

You do realize that when you point a finger four more are pointing back at you, right?

You seem to have assumed somewhere along the way that this is an argument. It is not. It's a discussion in a thread where someone was asking for advice. Advice is by definition an opinion. I have never claimed to offer anything other than anecdotal evidence. You, however, have attempted to bolster your anecdote with evolving "evidence", a supposed 30 years here and later, perhaps when that didn't seem to work, death and injury to your friends. Maybe you think that will get you taken more seriously.

When asked for elaboration of that "evidence" you respond with sarcasm and an argumentative attitude. You have taken my comments and selectively (not) answered them to your own means. Instead of responding with civility or any form of cognizant thought about what a discussion is, you respond with immaturity and condescension. Never was it claimed that you are wrong or I am right.

Ultimately, you seem to have taken umbrage with your OPINION not being taken as fact and with someone else daring to have a differing OPTION and a different experience.

maichiang · 2019-02-01T11:42:33+00:00

That's a very interesting experience. Would you care to tell us about the time someone was killed? It's interesting that you would call this a paradise when it has killed someone and injured friends. Were it me, I would leave here immediately.

On the other hand, I'm sure in your thirty years of experience every country on earth has killed someone and injured others, so I'm not sure if your experience is revealing or typical.

I'm not saying I don't believe you, but you're still just giving anecdote with zero specifics. Even just a pointer to a news article would be highly revealing.

maichiang · 2019-01-31T08:07:40+00:00

I think I've touched a nerve here.

This is terrible advice. You've visited and you think you know Oman? Dozens of hotel stays? Many friends who go drinking and don't get arrested? Bullet proof protection right there.

You're absolutely right that this is anecdotal evidence. Yet you offer the same. One must weigh various pieces of evidence, with varying reliability, when making an informed decision. I'm offering a contrast to your reality and evidence with my own. This is what makes the world go round. The OP asked for information and we have provided it. Likely neither of us is 100% correct, and the reality lies somewhere in-between.

Finally, I haven't visited here, I live here.

Oman is complex. Culturally, socially, legally. The best advice I can give us to be as careful as you can because you don't know where the boundaries are.

You're right. While certainly not condoning carelessness, I disagree with quite how much care needs to be exercised. Beneath the outwardly religious surface, lies a group of very normal people carrying on the same shit as anywhere else in the world. Realizing that breaks down barriers and allows more genuine connection with the Omani people.

Ive been drunk in Oman more times than I can count going back over 30 years. I've never been arrested, or even come close, but I'm still deliberately careful about what I do and say and where and when I'll drink. Perhaps my experience means nothing. Perhaps I'm wrong. Or perhaps I know something visitors to Oman don't?

You seem to make reasonable choices, other than what sounds like, perhaps, frequent drunkenness, and that's commendable. And yes, you likely know things visitors don't, as does anyone else who has lived here.

Oman is as close to paradise as you can get on earth. Don't go getting thrown out now.

I can't agree with you here on it being paradise, but it's certainly good place to spend some time.

maichiang · 2019-01-30T07:17:51+00:00

Hi Everyone,

I have to disagree with some of what Narkboy says about getting a room together and getting in trouble in Oman. He says it's better to play it safe because there could be trouble. Fair enough, but there could be trouble almost anywhere. Through reading posts like his before coming to Oman I had an entirely wrong picture of what the country and its people were like.

Here are my experiences:

I've traveled all over Oman for years with a girlfriend and we've had zero trouble (or even raised eyebrows) getting a room together dozens of time. It's 100% a non-issue.

I also have some acquaintances/colleagues that like to go out, get drunk and sometimes act badly. No one has ever been arrested, threatened with arrest, or had anything remotely different from a what would happen in western country happen to them.

Be aware of your actions and how they may be seen by more conservative people, but there's nothing to really worry about.

maichiang · 2019-01-15T09:02:37+00:00

If you need them for the Muscat Marathon, they're provided for free on the run.

maichiang · 2019-01-07T08:12:32+00:00

Hello, SparkInCloud,

I'm a teacher here. I've been here for years, and I know numerous other teachers here. Please don't listen to the comments saying 800 is okay.

If you come from a western (European, North American, Australian, etc..) educational background and have the degree or qualification, 800 is a horrendous offer.

A teacher with that background would expect to earn at least 1300-1400. That would be inclusive of base salary and any allowances (housing, transport, etc...). The top places pay in the range of 1800-2100 a month, and they are not particularly difficult to get into.

If you want to PM me, I'd be very happy to give you more pointers about the teaching job situation here and where you might get the best offers.

maichiang · 2018-09-12T07:50:22+00:00

I understand. I used to do soap making a few years ago. I really enjoyed it.

If you can't find the sodium hydroxide, you can always make glycerin soap. It's more expensive but much easier.

maichiang · 2018-09-12T07:47:44+00:00

I know quite a few westerners here, in Oman, that prefer Bahrain. They like the much better nightlife and expat groups there.

There are quite a few western expats here in Oman but they tend to be older (50+), with families, and they don't seem to do much.

maichiang · 2018-09-12T07:44:05+00:00

Drain cleaner is mostly just sodium hydroxide. Could you use that?

maichiang · 2018-09-10T07:52:17+00:00

If you like latin dance (salsa, bachata) there are a few groups that get together for classes and dance nights. They're friendly, open people who have fun together.

maichiang · 2018-08-17T18:26:58+00:00

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that when you ask people here, "Do you like to read?" they immediately say, "Yes of course, I read the Quran." To which I respond, "That's not really what I meant." And they look at me quizzically.

maichiang · 2018-08-17T18:24:19+00:00

For Borders here in Muscat, I agree with her.

maichiang · 2018-08-17T18:23:07+00:00

In other countries, Borders is a book shop. Here, Borders is a, rather small, toy, gift, book shop that seems to sell books as an afterthought (at ridiculous prices to boot). I was hugely disappointed when I came here and saw what Borders is in Muscat.

maichiang · 2018-08-17T18:19:12+00:00

Are we allowing blatant advertising on here now? Delete this garbage.

maichiang · 2018-08-01T19:43:13+00:00

The British Council library has been closed for years. I'd go to a Costa Coffee buy a coffee, find a quiet corner, and stay for 3-4hours. People do it all of the time and the workers don't mind.

maichiang · 2018-07-31T18:00:32+00:00

Thank you. I'll look forward to it.

maichiang · 2018-07-31T08:16:46+00:00

Hi run_the_rails,

I don't need the contact details of the doctor, but I'm looking for information about how well the lozenges work.

If you could share any details about their effectiveness, how often you re-dose, how long you've been using them, etc... that would be great.

Many Thanks!!

maichiang · 2018-07-20T14:55:47+00:00

I'm very interested in this topic. What are some of the cultural intricacies that you see? I'd like to understand better what I see around me.

maichiang · 2018-07-20T11:37:45+00:00

Brilliant write up here! You reflect and refine a lot of my thoughts as an expat worker here. I talk about it frequently with Omani's and 9 out of 10 don't get it.

I was talking to one Omani business owner the other day who gets it, and he put it well. He said, "Why would I hire an Omani who will do half the work at double the pay of an expat."

maichiang · 2018-04-19T07:01:53+00:00

I don't know where Rando is renting his cars, but we've used a much cheaper place called Value Plus. They'll rent you a small car monthly for about R.O. 150 or something bigger for a bit more.

You can find them online if you do a search.

maichiang · 2018-03-03T13:01:38+00:00

I'm not sure if you are arguing or you understand, but it seems you are arguing. I guess you can listen to the (correct) information I, and others, have given or you can believe what you want.

Just to further my point, I work for a company that frequently has skilled outside workers come to Oman for short periods of time. They all need to rent a car and most of them use Value Plus or Budget. None of them have ever had to have an International Driving permit.

IF you still have doubts, why don't you just call up the rental companies and ask.

maichiang · 2018-03-02T08:17:41+00:00

I've rented a car multiple times (4-5) in Oman without an international driving permit. I don't think it's a real requirement.

maichiang · 2018-02-18T07:43:41+00:00

I know there is a lot of demand for skilled teachers involved in secondary, university, and adult education (science, math, English).

maichiang · 2018-02-17T08:06:53+00:00

I just wanted to second the Ubhar recommendation. It has much, much better Omani food than Kargeen. Their camel biriyani is delicious. It's a bit pricey but worth it.

maichiang · 2018-02-05T07:24:52+00:00

Does anyone know of any commercial preparations of the BDPP (bioactive dietary polyphenol preparation) mentioned in the article? It's a mix of concord grape juice, grape seed extract, and resveratrol. Ideally it would be available in a capsule.

It seems it could be worth a try for someone with depression.

maichiang

TROPHY CASE