The next step was going to our local partner in Dubai to meet the team. Most of my colleagues are Lebanese or Filipino’s. First impressions: friendly bunch, like to laugh and don’t take life too seriously. You can tell the work atmosphere is different here than in Belgium. People are more relaxed. It also made me aware that not speaking “Arabic” is a small set-back. My colleagues often switch to Arabic. I can’t blame them, as it comes natural to speak in your mother tongue. Once I am settled in, I will look for an Arabic course. I’ve been told the Lebanese accent is the loveliest one… So it’s swell that most of my colleagues are Lebanese. Hopefully I will be able to understand something after my course.
At the end of the year I should be an expert in Lebanese food, as at lunchtime we always seem to go to Lebanese restaurants. At the end of the year I will also be showing redrawal symptoms because of the nicotine. All my colleagues smoke. They tend to smoke during lunch for an anti-smoker like me…it’s not something I am used to. Not to say that I was so happy that finally a complete smoking ban is planned in Belgium for pubs & restaurants in June. Lungs, hang in there!
And whenever I hear “Lebanese”, I have to stifle a laugh because of our dear friend Barney Stinson. The HIMYM fans know what I am talking about. *blog five*
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