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ewmoda

Is living in Dubai turning you into a witch?

544

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 09:47

or something that rhymes with witch.

On several occassions over the last few days I've exploded at people, all for good reasons in my opinion, but still I'm sure I used to be a much more balanced and calm person. I seem to go from 0 to 60 in a very very short period of time these days and the frequency of it is worrying me.

My new year's resolution was to try and be a nicer, calmer person, but it's not working out very well.

Any advice on how to embrace your more civilised self and let things go without feeling like you are being made a mug of.

Much appreciated.

FFx

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3376

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 12:43

lol @ some of these! Only someone else living here would get it. I went through these stages 1. Well, first, I was already witchy. No seriously.. 2. I thought "Am I crazy, or is this Dunceville central?" 3. then, "Wowwwwww, these people really don't give a $*@# if the place burns, do they!?" (true story---restaurant appears to be on fire, staff is just staring at eachother, like 'hmmm") 4. Maybe they don't understand me? Maybe start speaking like they do, back to them. "Let you to sign this paper, promising delivery tomorrow." "Yes, indeed is probs, this no work." "After tomorrow no good. I am stay here until after you will do it." 5. Now I just put it in my journal--the more humorous stuff. If I find that I am writing a rant in there, it makes me feel gross, and I ended up tearing the paper out, crinkling it up, and voila! the ire disappears with it!

spongemonkey980

4329

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 12:31

Yes - don't deal with the following and you will notice a marked improvement in patience levels: Etisilat DEWA Du(nt) Customer service call centres Asking questions to anyone in any shops at all Add Banks to that list. If I avoid all these places Im quite sane otherwise the dark side of me comes out and I hate that! Just really interacting with people here to get anything done is a pain in the **** - even buying things. I tend now to just wear them down with minimal words and endless repetition until I get what I want......my dh is however something else and i think that is because they are already half mad from dealing with stupidity on a daily basis.

235

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 12:08

I'm so bad at the smilies on here but if I could find the throwing up one it'd be very well used right now lol!!

1617

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 12:05

Good one Sunglow....Or perhaps getting a right old lambasting from his wife when he gets home!!!

235

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 12:03

Or naked - yuck. Generally the ones like that are the ones you so dont want to be picturing naked lol!

1617

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 12:01

"i was in a job where i got "exploded" at plenty" Like this :). When I used to work on a Trading Floor, probably 75% of my interactions involved getting yelled at!! I recall once when I was two weeks away from giving birth, the Head of Trading litterally standing over me shaking his fist and screaming. Managed not to cry by picturing him on the toilet!!!

115

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 11:40

I know what you mean. I had to collect my car at the garage this morning after one week and I had to insist so that they would finish the job ! however I had called them this morning before showing up and they said the car was ready. And on top of that there was no fuel left at all in the tank (but like really 0 fuel - with the little fuel tank light indicator on the dashboard...). I was so angry but didn't raise my voice ! I was so prouuuuud of me :)

104

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 11:38

I realise my trust level has also gone down. I take everything anyone tells me with a large pinch of salt. "It'll be ready tomorrow" "It won't take long have a seat" "Don't worry it won't be a problem" "You'll receive it this afternoon" "Yes, we have your details and we'll call you shortly" I agree with this whole-heartedly. I used to trust what everyone told me back home (and they too didn't always live up to their promises), so yes, I don't trust what people say all the time, but I think that's a good lesson I have learnt. I have definitely become more assertive since moving here (6 and a half years ago), and have lost the plot a few times with people who could not conceive a better way could be found. Bad customer service does it for me everytime afraid :(

235

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 11:31

I agree Sue62...my DH used to have a habit of exploding and we soon learnt that it got him nowhere and now he follows my practice which is much a long the lines of deep breath and expect the worse, anything more is a bonus it would seem. Having been in the line of fire from customers for a long time I know the ones with the attitude I wanted to help and the ones I would really not. I absolutely love GoodMorning's quote "They are where they are because of the person they are. So you be the better person." I really do agree that It's very difficult over here sometimes with such poor service and the lack of customer care would try the patience of a saint but on the odd occasion I have lost it it has never made me feel any better about the situation so sadly I just shrug my shoulders and be thankful I'm not in their position. I also cant bear it when I see a fellow expat speaking to people badly - makes me cringe and actually makes me angrier than anything.

3901

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 11:12

i'd never "exploded" at anyone before i came here and don't intend to start now...in my previous life i was in a job where i got "exploded" at plenty and all it does is make you resolve to help the person as little as you are obliged to whereas the polite ppl who didn't explode at me i would happily go the extra mile for... perhaps along with the miriad of beauty treatments on offer here someone should offer anger management courses lol

Pomegranate35436

867

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 11:03

Yes. It's the only way to survive here otherwise you get trampled. Just have to remember to go back to 'normal' when in my home country!

5400

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 10:53

Nah, living in Geneva had already done it to me.

1029

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 10:52

Yes - don't deal with the following and you will notice a marked improvement in patience levels: Etisilat DEWA Du(nt) Customer service call centres Asking questions to anyone in any shops at all Baahahahahaha. I wholeheartedly agree!:)

544

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 10:49

I admire anyone with the patience and good grace not to explode. However, I think there is a difference between manners (which I have thankfully) and reacting to being driven to distraction by ineptitude, laziness and underhandedness.

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 10:48

Yes - don't deal with the following and you will notice a marked improvement in patience levels: Etisilat DEWA Du(nt) Customer service call centres Asking questions to anyone in any shops at all Add Banks to that list. If I avoid all these places Im quite sane otherwise the dark side of me comes out and I hate that!

1617

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 10:43

I would never, ever, explode or raise my voice at people however frustrated I got. Vulgar behaviour and I cringe every time I see it...one example of this that stuck in my mind was a fellow Brit in Marina. She had a small child in a pushcahir and the guy asked her if she would like a hand carrying things to the car to which she answered "Yes", no thank you, no nothing, just "yes". She then gave the child a piece of fruit but held onto the fruit until he said "please" and "thank you". So manner were improtatn to her, although not when speaking to some people obviously. I'm always very aware that compared to the people I'm dealing with, that I have a life of immense privelege and that means I have a responsibiltiy not to act like a witch. I did however ask for someone to come and pack my shopping when there wasn't anyone on that particular check out as I couldn't face doing it myself!! Must try that bvack in teh UK and see how far it gets me.

3863

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 10:11

I have become very impatient, i rarely blow up but have become a tutter and an eye roller at certain situations. I try to take a deep breath and smile when i know i am going to lose it. As the OP said i always try to deal with people in person rather than via the telephone

1247

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 10:11

The answer really is never to do ANYthing by phone. You really have to go and do things in person. Then you will not be witchy at all. :) Unfortunately when it comes to placing lunch orders it's a whole different ball game. :/: You think? At customer service desks on several occasions I've wanted to drag the person by the scruff over the counter top and beat them! I think we are twins! I feel EXACTLY the same, lol

amazingdxb50911

331

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 10:05

Totally true! I also have no patience at all and the worst is that I know before making a call or visiting these 'shops' [like Etisalat, du, banks, car shop maintenance, real estate agent, etc'>; I will end up raising my voice arguying. I used to send my hubby at that time to deal with them all. The good news is that there is indeed an improvement in each of these services. At this pace, we won't have to get upset with the quality of their services in 10 years from now.

544

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 10:04

I really don't think I used to be this bad. We've been here 3 years and I think it's a gradual thing. I wish it was only on the phone, but it's not. I exploded at the garage yesterday, as I realised they gave me a dodgy battery 2 months ago and had spent the morning trying to get to work. It was lovely having an audience of fleet drivers and staff watch the expat lady have a meltdown. However, I did get a new battery, which I don't think I would have got if I hadn't had a hissy fit. Although having said that I'm equally gifted on the phone. A colleague rang me last night and started the conversation by telling me what I hadn't done, which was completely untrue. Even my husband looked a bit scared when I got off the phone. But GoodMorning, I completely agree with you and that's what worries me. I'll have to practice the deep breath. Sue62, I hear you. I constantly tell my husband that I would be a much nicer person if I didn't have to work. FFx

3804

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 09:57

The answer really is never to do ANYthing by phone. You really have to go and do things in person. Then you will not be witchy at all. :) Unfortunately when it comes to placing lunch orders it's a whole different ball game. :/: You think? At customer service desks on several occasions I've wanted to drag the person by the scruff over the counter top and beat them!

Muesli Bar51338

581

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 09:54

The answer really is never to do ANYthing by phone. You really have to go and do things in person. Then you will not be witchy at all. :) Unfortunately when it comes to placing lunch orders it's a whole different ball game. :/:

3901

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 09:54

lol - we've been very lucky here so far and haven't had any real issues dealing with stuff... if anything we're more laid back here (my husband certainly is)... apart from the cold at the mo i think the endless warmth and sunshine makes for a more relaxed attitude...plus not having to work for a living (in my case) lol

3804

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 09:51

Absolutely it does. I have virtually zero patience these days, it's like being surround with people who fell out the stupid tree on a daily basis. Common sense is a mystery to many people. I often wonder what it's like for so many to wander round being totally obliviuos to everything that's going on around them. Grrrrrr

206

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 09:50

Yes - don't deal with the following and you will notice a marked improvement in patience levels: Etisilat DEWA Du(nt) Customer service call centres Asking questions to anyone in any shops at all

3901

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 09:49

only when i post on forums !!! lol

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