Tuesday 13 December 2011

You know when....


Caitriona Ni Fhiannachta, a friend of a friend on Facebook published this.

You know you've been living too long in the Arabian Gulf when
:

  • You're not surprised to see a goat in the passenger seat
  • When phrases like 'potato peeler', 'dish washer', and 'fly killer' are no longer household items but are actually job titles
  • 
You need a sweater when it cools down to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
  • You expect everyone (over 4 years old) to own a mobile phone
  • Your idea of housework is leaving a list for the maid
  • You believe that speed limits are only advisory.
  • You expect all police to drive BMWs or Mercedes
  • You believe that the definition of a nanosecond is the time interval between the time the light turns green and the time that the guy behind you begins to blow his horn
  • You can't buy anything without asking for a discount
  • You expect all stores to stay open till midnight
  • You make left turns from the far right lane
  • You send friends a map instead of your address
  • You think it perfectly normal to have a picnic in the middle of a roundabout at 11pm
  • You know exactly how much alcohol allowance you have left for the month
  • You never say Saturday instead of Friday or Sunday instead of Saturday
  • You accept that there is no point in asking why you are not allowed to do something
  • When you expect queues to be 1 person deep and 40 people wide 
  • You realize that the black and white stripes in the road are not a zebra crossing, just bait to get tourists into the firing line 
  • You carry 12 passport size photos around with you just in case
  • You overtake a police car at 130 km/h. And don’t worry about it
  • A problem with your car AC or horn is more serious to you than a problem with the brakes
All so very true and made me smile. It reminded me of my original, very similar list I published here. I also miss many of these things. I could also included:
  • You can negotiate a roundabout at speed while talking on the phone and drinking very hot Adnoc coffee
  • The policeman about to ticket you asks if you are married, offers himself as a husband and you consider it for a split second
  • You don't wear a watch because you tell the time by the call to prayer 
  • You think you are under dressed when your elbows are showing
  • You lose count of the kids coming out of the Toyota Landcruiser at the school gate
I'm sure there must be more, some comments from Gulf residents please so we can add to the list. I suspect Ask Ali might enjoy this list. 


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