My Books

** Terms of Endearment!

I have said so many things in my life in my column and in my books too that if you have a good thing going well for you and giving you benefit in income, well being prosperity and the future – then – Keep it. Nurture it. Preserve it. Let it grow. Do not spoil things – for yourself or those that belong to you by not appreciating it – and spoiling chances for yourself, your family, your friends, those near you and those that you care and feel for.

God be Blessed but we have a very good thing here in our country of Oman. Not only is the country secure and safe, but there is appreciation, care and feelings – and most important too respect and adherence for the invited guests, expatriate workers and residents – and their friends and families too.

The Omani people are very accommodating, live and let live type of people. The Omanis are very friendly, kind and hospitable people. Ask an Omani a place, and if they will not direct you there they may even take you there himself. If you have read the Introduction part, you might have noticed that was the way I got my job fast in Abu Dhabi – UAE – and on preferential treatment.

As I was being interviewed for the job the CEO came in – saw me in my Omani dress – and said to the Interviewing panel – stop the interview and just take him in – It materialized that the CEO (a UAE National) had got lost driving on his way to one resort place in Oman. He was told by some local people where he was surprised to be invited for lunch first, and they then took him all the way to the direction of the road towards the resort (Salalah in South of Oman). That had left a lasting impression on him – and was thus the reason he thought he ‘should reciprocate in another way’ by offering me the job.

One of our guests in my last oil company coming from UK was really surprised when he gave a big local currency note to a local taxi man after arriving at his destination late past midnight. The taxi man did not have change – and he told him (the guest) … welcome to Oman. No problem …No need to pay. The man insisted to have his name to call and pay him, but the man just drove away. The visitor said to me – I have visited a lot of countries of the world, and taken many taxis – but this is the first time that this particular thing had happened to me!.

You might say that I am biased because I am an Omani, but the truth is out there for all to see. Ask any other tourists that came to Oman. Ask our foreign workers – why some of them even get better job offers outside – but still prefer to stay here? And those that had left, lament the decision – even if it is to neighbouring countries too!

I was returning from leave one time and in front of me in the queue was a British person, and I wanted to tell him that this Immigration queue is only for Nationals and citizens of The AGCC countries. It is good that I did not open my mouth (as I am used to) perhaps because I was tired and perhaps because I had become aloof and indifferent after so many bad trysts with the Office lots – because the man had an Omani passport to my and The Immigration Officer chagrin – and speaking Arabic rather fluently – though with an accent.

One time I was being interviewed for a job and this Interviewer (Indian) says to me – you know we Omanis… and I blurted out (now this is me …putting my foot in my mouth thing!) We? – then he said to me – yes I am Omani like you. This time I held my tongue – because I wanted to say to him – I beg to differ – I don’t think so! There has to be some difference – even if small! I do not know if this was the incident that did not get me the job – after things going so well before this!

When I was working for my first oil company, we had devised a comprehensive plan that those expatriates that were seen to pass their knowledge, experiences and expertise to the local workers were those that were allowed to stay on more longer by offering them training and mentoring jobs. However, those that were acknowledged to be holding back and not contributing (stupidly thinking they had become indispensable and will never be told to go!) were the first ones to be sent home – even if they had been here for quite a while.

And this is the point I want to make here – as also in my article Do Not Underestimate. People have long memories, and they remember. Elephant memory – so as to say!. The day that you are really in bad trouble and situation, no hand of help will be extended to you – instead the full force of the laws and books will be thrown at you! That is how many rude and arrogant expatriates have hit the dust, because in life you never know what can happen to you – and even those that had protected you in the past cannot continue to do so.

So it is better for you as an expatriate to be on this good side of friendliness and cooperation – instead of being on the opposite.

I can safely say the same thing applies to the locals by being nice friendly cordial and cooperative to the expatriates – because they will take you in as a friend rather than an adversary, and help and assist you in your job prospects, career and future potentials too. Sometimes as we Arabs say – there is no harm in closing one eye and not to see everything – or one ear for not hearing everything!

Or as we Arabs too say – from the stomach of evil came blessings. This a misnomer and metaphor that the West and others can never comprehend and or understand. It takes only an Arab to understand this.

I as a Writer, Columnist and Author, would feel greatly elated, proud and esteemed if my book will contribute to better understandings, relationships, cordial relationships and interfaces between us Omanis and The Expatriates – whether in Oman and or outside too.

In actual fact in life, in certain circumstances, conditions, aspects and situations – you may have actually won when you feel that you have lost – and actually lost when you have thought you have won. This is easy to understand!

Long after I am gone, I want to be remembered still as a person who had contributed to society and knowledge and education with my books, my column writings, other writings – and relating my experiences and exposures too.

I know for sure that there are some places that I still can go and visit and will be invited in – and some I never dare to visit again – because of the known reception that I will get there – especially from the top brass.

This one I know for sure too – I will get the best welcome and reception from many of those that were my peers and subordinates, and those I had worked with – and that is a great solace and comfort for me in ending this last but one chapter in Part 2 of 3 of the book – and this speaks volumes of me of my caliber, character and personality and of the type of person that I am!!

Take Care!

PLEASE SEE PAGES – MAIN MENU – AND NEXT PAGE ON MY NEW MANAGEMENT BOOK – A CRY FOR HELP! (AND OTHER BOOKS TOO).