My boss today agreed to let me leave immediately, so a big thanks to him! A big lesson i have learned is that big money does not mean happiness - so goodbye to the people i have had chats with(WK, Happy happy especially), and good luck to all...
I am sat down to breakfast tomorrow i will be thinking of you all! :0P ... And i cannot believe that the marriot have sorted out what looks to be an excellent venue for the WC when i leave!!! this would have deffo been in the "for" staying reasoning! pesky rabbits!
I don't envy you for getting well paid for your mission, just like so many of us are too. I do congratulate you for being honest and wise enough to work out that despite the big money this place is not for you. I think it is important to get out of a place when you think it can damage you in some way, whether it is by a mistake done by yourself or lifes' circumstances causing problems in your own happiness and way of thinking. I can feel your happiness because I will be feeling exactly the same in a few months - and there will be no looking back for us either. I have come here with my family but after 6 years of Middle East I want our daughter to see there is more to life - seasons, snow... and so much more I will keep for my speech when the time comes. What matters is you and your family are happy wherever you go and whatever you do. I wish you luck, happiness and a great trip home :))))
Working in the Middle East is not for everyone. This is one reason that the salaries are higher, since you work in unusual sorroundings.
One other key aspect is that the Middle East is a small world in itself. You meet all nationalities and interact with all types of people. This takes a lot of adjustment and acceptance.
in this thread people have commented that they envy me for my decision( not to offend anyone who did by the way) i too felt like that and then realised that why should i envy something that is in my control? and decided that it was not for me. I know of people from the UK who have been here for 20 years and love the place, but everyone is wired a little different, and unfortunately, i am wired to think that this is not for me.It may seem that im feeling a bit sorry for myself but im not, i just made a decision based upon my feelings.
I am from a totally different background and do not in any way think that Qatar should "get with the times" as it is their country and their culture, and i am only a guest. Qatar people that i have met have always been warm and welcoming to me, but it does smack of one rule for them and one rule for the rest, and this frightens me!
...It's just that I don't see it as dark, Frugaluga. Despite having common grounds with the Qatari culture, yet the variance is still huge, but I find myself liking the country.
You are correct, but when i put up the for/against chart i can only list one "for" and that is money and that is not worth living in fear of inadvertantly upsetting someone out of sheer ignorance to their culture or beliefs, that could end up in hardship for myself or family . That simply does not fit well with me. Some can live this way and some cannot. I simply cannot.
...Frugaluga, it must have been a series of serious events to get you to decide to leave and be that excited about it. Although I sense deep frustration in your posts, I might be wrong though.
Frugaluga...dude I was counting on you to win the pub quiz, now i guess you will have to login remotely whatever the time difference...one life, live it your way..may the star be with you.
I share your opinion on money v/s happiness. Was almost done a few months back but somehow it slipped out of my hands...hope I can do it once again (soon) and also hold on to it.
thank you for that. The pound signs turned my head and i did not give any other thought other than the money! this has been a huge learning curve for me and i admit that greed got the better of me! this is a mistake that i will not make again.. on a positive note i have been fortunate to have had this experience and have learned alot about myself through it. Maybe some may think that its a spineless thing to do but i dont really care about that.. I came to conquer Qatar but sadly Qatar conquered me! :0(
Hey Fruga least expected this and you are leaving at such a short notice. Life is always a hard teacher and lessons of life have to learned. Qatar probably taught you more on personal values and importance of relationships more than anything else. Fare well my friend , may the Angels be with you where ever you go. Good luck
my predictions need revision!! :0P .. Yeah i heard that Iniesta was carrying an injury. I admit that they look the business but if Diego can pull his head out of his arse and pick a team then i think the Argies just shade for me.
6 different players scored, that's why it's frightening for others. Villa, Silva, Torres, Fabregas, Alonso, Pedro. Bit of injury scare for Iniesta but he will be fine.
I have to admit that i did not research enough about the culture and especially of what is acceptable and what is not - my biggest fear was that i would do something out of complete ignorance that would end up with me being in hot water. I began to get paranoid about the whole way of life.. for instance when my family came over for a visit, i was driving along with them in the car and this idiot was maybe 2 inches from my bumper flashing his lights while doing 120kph! i let him pass and then tried to follow him so that i could rearrange his features when he pulled over! i think i got to breaking point.. so its better to be safe at home than be in a cell here! tax free money is excellent but being happy is more valuable to me right now - a thing i sadly forgot when taking this position.
as i have said it is my only regret about leaving... your posts always make me laugh, and would have liked to have met some of you guys for a beer(or 10!) :0P
Yeah - i have prepared for this for some time.. i was going to work a month's notice but seeing as i have done all of the things required from me, my boss agreed to let me leave straight away.. and i absolutely love him for that! not in a funny way of course! :0)
Regardless of my leaving i still want your predictions! if it only the 2 of us then so be it... i must win! i must! :0P ... All the best my friend, and one of the few regrets of leaving is that i did not get to meet some people from QL for a drink.. you included obviously! :0P
Is just a good old british saying for a person who in the face of adversity would remain calm and collective..as i imagine you would be! :0) i will still drop in to QL from time to time just to make sure you are all behaving yourselves! :0P
....Frugaluga, thanks. I respect your honesty. But off with the English vernacular! would I be as cool as pasta??? Sorry, I'm hungry as always, and "cucumber" isn't going to do me any good here..:)
Thank you very much - although we have only chatted briefly i like you attitude, although i didnt agree with all your posts i always liked reading them. Your as cool as a cucumber! :0P
... Frugaluga! You cannot leave just as yet! I first need to sit with your wife and read her all of her full-set of rights to brand shoes, bags, jewelry and spas. Just teasing...:P
I'm wishing you all the best wherever you go. You're one authentic person.
All the best and I hope your life will be for prosperity and would get better and better, personally I really liked your posts you are one of the QLrs who made a difference..all the luck would keep on your way
Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.
Good luck in your future endeavours................
good luck to you. You are always welcome in Qatar. Come back soon, and come help the country grow again.
All the best to you
You said that happiness is not money a lot and I agree with you
Well, where you can feel real happiness?
Are you still here ????
Come on , Hurry up... The World Cup starts tomorrow on SKY HD.... :O)
....Frugaluga, you're still in Qatar! Run Forrest, Run!
....Maasalama..:)
I am sat down to breakfast tomorrow i will be thinking of you all! :0P ... And i cannot believe that the marriot have sorted out what looks to be an excellent venue for the WC when i leave!!! this would have deffo been in the "for" staying reasoning! pesky rabbits!
Take care, mate!
Bloody Regards,
Drac
Where is haraam party? I will coome there and sprinkle some holy water from the ganges to make it halal.
Have a haram party when you get back. Beer, bacon and illicit relations.......
Haha ES, we have to meet up some day to drink some over-priced beers too.
I will raise an over priced beer to the one who escaped
Safe journey home, have a full english brekkie in the morning for me please :-)
Bon Voyage! Have a safe trip.
I will raise a beer in your name tonight as well :)
Can't wait till tomorrow for it to begin :)
WK - i will raise a beer in your name this evening and look forward to seeing your predictions! :0)
Take care man. Have a safe trip
A quick check AGAIN!!
1.Passport - Check
2.Wallet - check
3.QR1000 deposit from QDC - did not pick it up as that place was my sanctuary, and they can take it as a tip!
4.Sunglasses and suncream - Not needed where im going!:0(
5.Taxi booked 5 hours before flight so i can abuse the free alcohol in the business class lounge - Check.
6.Said my goodbyes to colleagues - The ones i liked yes - Check.
7.Most important tickets,exit permit - Yes i even had them under my pillow during the night! - check.
8. Mind! - lost along time ago and will take some time to find :0P..
9.Copious amounts of unsavoury looking shorts and T-Shirts - Burnt - Check.
Bye Bye!
Cheerio!
All the best to you.
Frugaluga...you didnt have to do this....we know its the World Cup...but!!!.....lol
I m sorry we wont meet for the World Cup matches :(
....Alumnar, you're a sincere, courteous, and spontaneous person.
Don't you worry... story of my life!!! ;)
.....Alumnar, thanks. I have a feeling I've asked the "wrong" question. I should learn to keep quiet sometimes, it’s a virtue ...lol
Hmmm... Something made from an animal not allowed in Qatar. That's as far as I am willing to explain it...
....What's "scratchings"?
Deal :))) take care mate :)))
the drinks are on me - the scratchings are on you! :0)
Oh and in the line of thinking.... CONGRATULATIONS for getting out of here!!! There, I said exactly what I feel !!! ;)
See you in the UK end of the year... with 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps (make mine p... scratchings!!!). ;)
thank you for your kind comments and i wish you and your family all the very best for the future.
I don't envy you for getting well paid for your mission, just like so many of us are too. I do congratulate you for being honest and wise enough to work out that despite the big money this place is not for you. I think it is important to get out of a place when you think it can damage you in some way, whether it is by a mistake done by yourself or lifes' circumstances causing problems in your own happiness and way of thinking. I can feel your happiness because I will be feeling exactly the same in a few months - and there will be no looking back for us either. I have come here with my family but after 6 years of Middle East I want our daughter to see there is more to life - seasons, snow... and so much more I will keep for my speech when the time comes. What matters is you and your family are happy wherever you go and whatever you do. I wish you luck, happiness and a great trip home :))))
oh and btw.... PORTUGAL will win the WC ;)
exactly!
Getting out of here at your own terms with your sanity intact is a reason to celebrate. Just my opinion.
....Frugaluga, LOL, yes, I've noticed some QLers are congratulating you, as if you've done your jail time and out to the real world again...:)))
Life is a crime sometimes..lol
...Frugaluga, celebrate your freedom every step along the way. It's priceless and cannot be bought.
Let me see, I'm checking my cuffs and shackles now.:))
Im free!!!! :0P
Working in the Middle East is not for everyone. This is one reason that the salaries are higher, since you work in unusual sorroundings.
One other key aspect is that the Middle East is a small world in itself. You meet all nationalities and interact with all types of people. This takes a lot of adjustment and acceptance.
in this thread people have commented that they envy me for my decision( not to offend anyone who did by the way) i too felt like that and then realised that why should i envy something that is in my control? and decided that it was not for me. I know of people from the UK who have been here for 20 years and love the place, but everyone is wired a little different, and unfortunately, i am wired to think that this is not for me.It may seem that im feeling a bit sorry for myself but im not, i just made a decision based upon my feelings.
....Frugaluga, I cannot argue with most of your post, especially the last statement, it's a bit unpredictable. For a complete "foreigner" it's a maze.
On the other hand, I do personally know Americans, Hungarians, British and Germans who've been in the country for little over a decade.
I salute you for your decision.
I am from a totally different background and do not in any way think that Qatar should "get with the times" as it is their country and their culture, and i am only a guest. Qatar people that i have met have always been warm and welcoming to me, but it does smack of one rule for them and one rule for the rest, and this frightens me!
...It's just that I don't see it as dark, Frugaluga. Despite having common grounds with the Qatari culture, yet the variance is still huge, but I find myself liking the country.
You are correct, but when i put up the for/against chart i can only list one "for" and that is money and that is not worth living in fear of inadvertantly upsetting someone out of sheer ignorance to their culture or beliefs, that could end up in hardship for myself or family . That simply does not fit well with me. Some can live this way and some cannot. I simply cannot.
...Frugaluga, it must have been a series of serious events to get you to decide to leave and be that excited about it. Although I sense deep frustration in your posts, I might be wrong though.
Frugaluga...dude I was counting on you to win the pub quiz, now i guess you will have to login remotely whatever the time difference...one life, live it your way..may the star be with you.
I realised that life really is too short and that your a long time dead... the world is now my oyster! :0P .. good luck to you anyway.
Wish you all the best.
I share your opinion on money v/s happiness. Was almost done a few months back but somehow it slipped out of my hands...hope I can do it once again (soon) and also hold on to it.
hmmmmm... suddenly feel tired.
I would like to say like you
But it is hard for me to say like cox
I can not stop not seeing------------
I agree with big money doesn't come with happyness
All the best
thank you for that. The pound signs turned my head and i did not give any other thought other than the money! this has been a huge learning curve for me and i admit that greed got the better of me! this is a mistake that i will not make again.. on a positive note i have been fortunate to have had this experience and have learned alot about myself through it. Maybe some may think that its a spineless thing to do but i dont really care about that.. I came to conquer Qatar but sadly Qatar conquered me! :0(
Hey Fruga least expected this and you are leaving at such a short notice. Life is always a hard teacher and lessons of life have to learned. Qatar probably taught you more on personal values and importance of relationships more than anything else. Fare well my friend , may the Angels be with you where ever you go. Good luck
wishing ur future life
my predictions need revision!! :0P .. Yeah i heard that Iniesta was carrying an injury. I admit that they look the business but if Diego can pull his head out of his arse and pick a team then i think the Argies just shade for me.
Just remember the Armada ....................
Englandddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd!
6 different players scored, that's why it's frightening for others. Villa, Silva, Torres, Fabregas, Alonso, Pedro. Bit of injury scare for Iniesta but he will be fine.
I will have you removed from QL for hijacking my thread!!! :0P ..... Torres on the scoresheet i guess??
Well good on you for taking that call, I hope I do it soon too, My boss always talks me out of it :(
On a completely unrelated note, Spain thrashed Poland 6-0 in warm-ups, watch this space for more :P
Lol .. thanks my friend and i will surely take you up on the offer!
I have to admit that i did not research enough about the culture and especially of what is acceptable and what is not - my biggest fear was that i would do something out of complete ignorance that would end up with me being in hot water. I began to get paranoid about the whole way of life.. for instance when my family came over for a visit, i was driving along with them in the car and this idiot was maybe 2 inches from my bumper flashing his lights while doing 120kph! i let him pass and then tried to follow him so that i could rearrange his features when he pulled over! i think i got to breaking point.. so its better to be safe at home than be in a cell here! tax free money is excellent but being happy is more valuable to me right now - a thing i sadly forgot when taking this position.
Good Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Good Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Wipe the tear
Frugalaga dear
from your eye-eeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Tho' it's hard to part I know
You'll be tickled to death to go
So don't cry-eeeeeeeeeee
don't cry-eeeeeeeeeee
Drop me a line wen you get back to blighty..... I will tell you about the heady days of Don Revie and Bill Shankly..
QDC will suffer huge losses in June with flanostu away :(
Frugaluga, First, all the best matey sorry that Doha did not workout for you. I am sure you have made the right decision.
Take care and hope goes well with your great escape. :)
frug, you are one of the very few that don't take my posts seriously then.
and yes i'm always up for 10+ beers, pity i go on holidays tomorrow.
cheers and again all the very best.
as i have said it is my only regret about leaving... your posts always make me laugh, and would have liked to have met some of you guys for a beer(or 10!) :0P
Haha I will :)
all the best man, was hoping to have a beer with a newbie.
Post it on the thread so that everyone can see that we know absolutely nothing about football! :0P
That's great, good boss. See you around here, of course I need you to be here on QL when I come to brag about Spain's win :)
Yeah - i have prepared for this for some time.. i was going to work a month's notice but seeing as i have done all of the things required from me, my boss agreed to let me leave straight away.. and i absolutely love him for that! not in a funny way of course! :0)
Thursday is tomorrow, that's it??
Sorry my friend but i leave on Thursday!! but will be back when Qatar get the world cup!! :0P --- basically im saying i will never return!!
Yes you will get my predictions, I have to revise again as the Dutch have no chance without Robben :(
Regardless of my leaving i still want your predictions! if it only the 2 of us then so be it... i must win! i must! :0P ... All the best my friend, and one of the few regrets of leaving is that i did not get to meet some people from QL for a drink.. you included obviously! :0P
Hey man good for you, I envy you as well..
I guess you will be out of here by the QF stage, let's get together for Eng-USA.
All the best with whatever you do now.
....Frugaluga, alrighty sir, cucumber it is, only for you though..:)
Farewell.
Is just a good old british saying for a person who in the face of adversity would remain calm and collective..as i imagine you would be! :0) i will still drop in to QL from time to time just to make sure you are all behaving yourselves! :0P
Happy for you...and wishing you for a happy future :)
....Frugaluga, thanks. I respect your honesty. But off with the English vernacular! would I be as cool as pasta??? Sorry, I'm hungry as always, and "cucumber" isn't going to do me any good here..:)
Are you going to still QL after you've gone?
and good luck
Thank you very much - although we have only chatted briefly i like you attitude, although i didnt agree with all your posts i always liked reading them. Your as cool as a cucumber! :0P
... Frugaluga! You cannot leave just as yet! I first need to sit with your wife and read her all of her full-set of rights to brand shoes, bags, jewelry and spas. Just teasing...:P
I'm wishing you all the best wherever you go. You're one authentic person.
all the best
wish u to find your dream environment ,back in your home.
All the best and I hope your life will be for prosperity and would get better and better, personally I really liked your posts you are one of the QLrs who made a difference..all the luck would keep on your way
happy 2 hear u got leave.. & wish u gud luck... but do continue to login here...
and thank you all for your comments.
unfortunately Qatar has beaten me! I loved my job(most of the time) but the reasoning in this country has shocked me!
All the best, i guess we are all not here forever. Best of luck to you always.
Enjoy your country....there is no place like home !
:)
One day we'll all go back from where we have started!
All the best for your future...be happy whereever you are goin..
What is that one thing you hated most? your job or this country or the people??
You will be missed. Happy trails!
All the best.......
Congratulations! Good bye and all the best!
I envy you and I think you have made the right decision
:)
i guess that was a good lesson ..i have learned the same long back but was unable to take a step as you did .. happy for you ..and congarts ..
All the best .. enjoy urself ..
best of luck to you... :)
All the best for ur future....