Meltdowns - how often?
Feb 2nd 2011, 9:23 am
#16
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
So, after throwing a humungous, toddler style tantrum in the kitchen today I wondered how often people really lose it here. I'm quite fiery and flare up quickly but I seldom lose the plot like this morning. Maybe once every few years. But I've had three since august - two due to stupid arse shite involving the family visas and school fees payments (again they were at the end of various other bureaucratic bollocks and just tipped me) and this morning's gas cooker fandango.
Contrast that with one major serious rage incident in several years in the uk - and that was down to something really serious and terrifying (son had a stroke, local a&e negligent)
Am I the only one who loses the plot more easily here? Am I the only one who really NEEDS a medicinal gin of an evening? Am I the only one who throws paper about and then kicks the cooker out of sheer frustration and helplessness?
Contrast that with one major serious rage incident in several years in the uk - and that was down to something really serious and terrifying (son had a stroke, local a&e negligent)
Am I the only one who loses the plot more easily here? Am I the only one who really NEEDS a medicinal gin of an evening? Am I the only one who throws paper about and then kicks the cooker out of sheer frustration and helplessness?
Good luck
Feb 2nd 2011, 10:17 am
#17
Concierge
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 29,625
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
How long have you been in the ME? I think that the longer you are here the easier you will find it as long as you accept that it is nothing like the West. They do things differently, if at all, and that's just the way it is. It can be extremely frustrating but getting upset achieves very little. If you can learn to laugh at the idiocy then you'll help your blood pressure and sanity.
Good luck
Good luck
Feb 2nd 2011, 10:43 am
#18
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,502
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
Exactly.
Get rid of the cooker. Get a new one. Problem solved.
We once needed to replace a door in the villa. It took two weeks and six visits by the landlord's builder to take out one door and replace it with a nearly identical one....
Get rid of the cooker. Get a new one. Problem solved.
We once needed to replace a door in the villa. It took two weeks and six visits by the landlord's builder to take out one door and replace it with a nearly identical one....
Feb 2nd 2011, 10:44 am
#19
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
With all the hassle of getting anything done it's hardly a surprise that expats drink and smoke...
Feb 2nd 2011, 12:01 pm
#21
why ayeeeee man!
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Disco Gardens...
Posts: 11,370
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
So, after throwing a humungous, toddler style tantrum in the kitchen today I wondered how often people really lose it here. I'm quite fiery and flare up quickly but I seldom lose the plot like this morning. Maybe once every few years. But I've had three since august - two due to stupid arse shite involving the family visas and school fees payments (again they were at the end of various other bureaucratic bollocks and just tipped me) and this morning's gas cooker fandango.
Contrast that with one major serious rage incident in several years in the uk - and that was down to something really serious and terrifying (son had a stroke, local a&e negligent)
Am I the only one who loses the plot more easily here? Am I the only one who really NEEDS a medicinal gin of an evening? Am I the only one who throws paper about and then kicks the cooker out of sheer frustration and helplessness?
Contrast that with one major serious rage incident in several years in the uk - and that was down to something really serious and terrifying (son had a stroke, local a&e negligent)
Am I the only one who loses the plot more easily here? Am I the only one who really NEEDS a medicinal gin of an evening? Am I the only one who throws paper about and then kicks the cooker out of sheer frustration and helplessness?
But I need to get out of Dubai every 6 months at least (and twice a year back home if I can) otherwise I feel frustrated and start getting angry.
And as the Hulk once said.....you wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
Feb 2nd 2011, 12:45 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 67
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
meltdowns are pretty normal in this place. I know so many people that have turned to therapy and seeing a shrink on a regular basis here. I swear this place sends you loopy.
Feb 2nd 2011, 1:35 pm
#23
ex-expat
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: in front of my computer - in sunny Sussex!
Posts: 2,162
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
I certainly do. Never used to crack in the UK... or maybe once every few years, but here, well... it went from every few days when I first arrived to once every month or so now. I find that, more than a drink, I need my "sanity breaks" back to the UK, just to breathe the fresh air and make sure I wasn't actually dreaming when I imagined a population that uses common sense as standard.
Feb 2nd 2011, 1:46 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 67
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
I do think you have to get out of this place on a regular basis or you will go insane!
I'm not surprised that peoples stress levels go through the roof. Also it doesn't surprise me that there is a high percentage of the population with mental illnesses like bi-polar disorder, manic depression and so on here.
I'm not surprised that peoples stress levels go through the roof. Also it doesn't surprise me that there is a high percentage of the population with mental illnesses like bi-polar disorder, manic depression and so on here.
Feb 2nd 2011, 2:01 pm
#25
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,553
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
I never - ever - lose my temper, under any circumstances.
Nothing is bad enough to make that happen.............
Nothing is bad enough to make that happen.............
Feb 2nd 2011, 2:04 pm
#26
Hit 16's
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
Endorphin-producing activities tend to help
Feb 2nd 2011, 3:07 pm
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
I am 100% with you on this. In fact in an argument I have found it a much more powerful tool to remain ultra claim. It drives the other person insane and to breaking point. The claim person always wins.
Feb 2nd 2011, 3:20 pm
#28
hmmmm...nice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 27,923
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
you can only do that if the argument is about something you don't really care about...
Feb 2nd 2011, 3:23 pm
#29
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 67
Re: Meltdowns - how often?
Although it is good to let off steam, if you constantly build things up then when you eventually do explode it'll be a big one. Plus if you don't argue about things, it means you don't really care.
Feb 2nd 2011, 3:26 pm
#30
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887