DXBtoDOH

Came across this observation:

Foreigners are strange. And we are strange to them. It’s partly why, as any teenager from Britain learns, it’s easier to get served a drink abroad; your face might suggest a certain age, but it’s somewhat harder to tell from your mannerisms. Similarly, it’s been observed that expat communities feature a higher proportion of slightly odd men whose strangeness doesn’t communicate to potential dates, who being foreign can’t spot the cues.

Did make me pause and think back to my expat days. Can't say the writer is wrong. Is Millhouse still around?

nonthaburi

Lived in Thailand for many years and came across many wierdoes. But at least they were wierdoes in a normal way, degenerate boozers, whoremongers, cheap charlies etc. Fairly common traits among many Thai expats.

But I've noticed that there are far more wierdoes in Saudi. And they're weird in strange ways. I work in a military environment and I've come across countless Walter Mitty types, pathological liars, narcissists, guys who wouldn't have a hope in hell of getting employed somewhere normal because people would just see straight through them. I could have done a thesis on some of these guys. A friend of mine who works for BAE told me there's a guy there who hasn't left the compound for 15 years apart to go to the airport!!

Fortunately, most of these guys seem to never last that long. Around 2 years would be average.

Paracletus

I've lived in a few countries and continents before, but the concentration of expat weirdos here in KSA is too damn high..Some are amusing to observe, but others are painful and outright dangerous.

Norm_uk

After two decades abroad I'd say it's not just limited to men.

The ratios of weirdos are higher - but there are plenty of solid gold types as well and I have made some firm friends over the years - actual friends who have your back not boozing mates who vanish when you hit hard times too.

N.

Saff_Parker

I've been an expat since I was a child but moved to Dubai on my own as an adult many years ago when I was single and spent my first year living in a Marina flat share...
Let me tell you - that is where you will find the highest concentration of expat weirdos in the 20-30 age bracket. Lots of false expectations and plotting to marry rich Emirati men lol.

Paracletus

My first ever friends (two brothers) as an "exbrat" are quite strange, they even got world famous after releasing their seminal hit, "what the fox says".

csdf

No way! You're friends with Mr Tumble? Get me an autograph.

fth

I must admit. Going from exbrat to expat. Nothing quite beats the strange crowd of Prague in the early 90’s and the insane parties that were had in the late 90’s during the Hollywood actors’ strike.

Millhouse

Come to Marbella and I can trade you odd GCC expat men for odd Costa del Sol wag/milfs.

Maxima

Some of them change their religion as well. Then they post on social media on how their "fiance" needs special permission to marry them and he keeps getting rejected and is there a way out

And if they do marry they immediately change their last names to the tribal name of their spouse (Something which native ladies never do), and then post on FB on how their kids are citizens

Millhouse

I've decided on the best of both and have exported the Dubai wife to the Costa-del-sol where she can get some leather skin and a processco addiction.

fth

You would be surprised how many ex GCC expats have moved to the costa del soo for retirement. Heck even Khashoggi’s palace there had been redeveloped into a home for them and a bunch of Russians.

Millhouse

I’m not surprised. I’m one of them.

fth

whereabouts? I’m very familiar with Sotogrande and it’s surroundings…

Millhouse

I’m near Puerto Banus. Soto was a bit too quiet for me.