next »

[beequeen]

I will begin work as a full-time professor in the UAE in the fall. I am getting mixed answers regarding an appropriate wardrobe for American women working in the UAE, specifically Ras al Khaimah. Can anyone provide an overview of what is/is not appropriate.

[hopefulbutuntenured]

There are at least two related threads on Dave's Cafe that touch on the topic:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=72107
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=71500

I recommend you register with that forum and pose the question there as well. It's a fantastic resource. Almost everything I know about the UAE has come from there.

[beequeen]

Thanks for your input. It helps in my decision making regarding how/what to pack.

[lenniel]

I've lived for a bit in the Middle East, and long sleeves and long skirts or pants are always a good option.  Have a few big scarves and at least a few tunics that go to mid- thigh as well.  The scarves come in handy for covering your head, wrapping up if in cold air-conditioning and tossing over shorter sleeves if you need to.  A tunic is handy (or a kurta) not just because they can dress up a nice pair of slacks, but in case you don't want people staring at your butt, to be honest.  You also will be allowed in certain mosques with a tunic, is it covers everything appropriately. 

All these items can be found in light cotton or similar fabrics.  It will be very hot, and being covered will be better than going sleeveless, actually, to avoid sunburn if you are fair.

My understanding is that the "expat" community generally is kept separate, so you probably will be able to dress differently where you will be living, but just be sure to not show bare arms and legs when you go to non-expat areas.  (I have a lot of friends and colleagues who are from that area and visit regularly, both Arab and otherwise, and they say the communities are still fairly segregated.)


Good luck!

[still_searching]

Dear Beequeen,

First of all, I think it's difficult to talk about how to dress in "The Middle East" -- there's a WORLD of difference between Saudi, for instance, and the UAE, where you will be.  And there's a significant difference between Abu Dhabi and Sharjah - the former being much more liberal.  I can't speak for RAK, but going out in Abu Dhabi I dress pretty much any way I please (within reason).  That means sleeveless dresses, skirts above the knee, and necklines wherever I want them to be.  Depending on the sleeves and the neckline, I might drape a nice shawl over me until we get to our destination.  My husband and I walk the city more than any western expat I know and have never run into any problems, even on the back streets (where we spend most of our time).  The worst I get is some stares, usually from laborers (could be the blonde hair, the makeup, or maybe just the fact that I'm the only western woman walking around in 120 degree weather!).  Poor guys - who knows the last time they've seen a woman.

As for the dress code advice on Dave's ESL Cafe' -- keep in mind that almost none of the posters there are teaching content courses at the university level, and many may not necessarily be teaching adults.  So what their institutions say may not be what you and I will face.

KR,
SS