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really expat is bad thing & it costs so alot but i think we have to compare beteween to stay in our homeland without to relise our hopes or dreams or to go abraod to improve our economic conditions specailly we. as third world peopole

Hi, Mahgoub. Of course you're right; it's totally worth it! Can you share one of the hurdles that you have experienced in your expat journey?

the worst thing is when u r in trouble or need a friend, a brother and u realiza u r alone ans it's not magic that can bring then when needed...it's extremely a sad feeling!

There have been so many frustrating things happen to me here in Qingdao, I feel like I moved to the planet Mars.  I have been here a year teaching English... color me crazy.  Anybody else feel like I do.  I would like to compare notes..

getting into a spat with  a local/ citizen, and knowing that u will always be viewed as an outsider, no matter if u are right or not.

Thanks for sharing, guys. I appreciate hearing about your particular challenges. Loneliness, being misunderstood, feeling like you "moved to Mars". It ain't easy, is it?

what about the french state institutions?  do you not feel that they somehow don't want you here?

Mine certainly was this!
Moving to Dubai from South Africa.
One a huge culture shock (learning all the time, I must add)
Back home I always smiled and said hello to everybody.
But in Dubai that got me into a great deal of trouble, especially with men. I am now a little more discreet and smiles are used sparingly. :-)

dont ever change who you are for other people; adapt yes. and ur right, smiling at men in dubai, or any gulf country for that matter, is a taboo, they take it as a sign u are interested in them.

ud be surprised at what other seemingly innocent gestures can be misconstrued.

adapt yes, change no

Legacy, tell me about the other gestures that can be misconstued?
Help me I am learning?

shaking hands for example, some people are ok with it, others will not be.

licking ur lips whilst talking to someone (sounds crazy? i heard the conversation about that one myself!) makes them think something is going on.

hugging. some people view it as normal, others. thats a given tho, i think hugs can be misconstrued anywhere

most of the rest of the stuff is just etiquette, like if a lady drops something on the floor, or has to tie a shoe-lace, she should get down on one knee and not bend over. stuff like that.

its the culture :S kuwait and dubai are fairly similar.

Thanks.Those are the pretty straight forward ones.
Bending over, that is new to me.
Great thanks.

Hi All,

Very interesting conversation... I have been abroad many times and got into "intersting" situations. When I was in my twenties I was in Greece with my boyfriend and everybody did topless, so I did. Not a problem. One day we decided to spend a few days in Turkey, we went to a wonderful lonely beach and I did the same without realising the very few women around were covered up. I received very strange looks and men appeared from nowhere to shout at me. It was awful! My boyfriend stood by me and we decided to leave right away... I remember that we went back to Greece immediately and no more topless for me!!!  Fault was on me for not checking with locals about that fact.