Hi all,

What does everyone do when they go home- do you all take presents for people? I'm running out of ideas what to buy people- all the kids have had camels, jamal and jamlia dolls, stuff from global village etc, I always feel obliged to take stuff home even though I sent xmas pressies home and actually they don't give me presents etc. does everyone here still take stuff home for everyone- if not how do you get past the guilt factor?

Everyone seems to think Im earning a fortune but actually I'm not working out here to treat everyone when I go home- trying to build a future for myself so why should I have to spend loads on them just because I got off my arse and moved abroad to work?

Sorry bit angry on the bring us something nice home that I got from my brother last night!

nope, nothing.

nothing

Camel milk chocolate - it's not that expensive, is quite funky, and if they like it you can buy it again and again...

my friend makes fab Scottish Tablet with camel milk, really nice it is

My family know only too well that stuff out here is either crap or more expensive than you can buy at home. The only exceptions being (that I'm aware of):

Dates (but not everyone likes them)
Pashminas
Headscarves (of the Yasser Arafat variety)

Camel chocolate sounds interesting

It's from a company called Al-Nasma, they have a stand / cafe on the higher floor of MoE. You can buy the chocolate in single bars, selection packs, or shaped into camels.

its not scottish tablet with camels milk. You need highland coo milk

Chocolated coated dates. Yummy. For the ladies, how about some Saudi perfume?

I will get you some and get Atilla to drop it off

Buy some oud. The strongest, most opulent and (to the untrained Western nose) noxious that you can.

When you give the gift, insist on demonstrating its use and load it up so heavy that it is guaranteed to set off the smoke alarm.

They won't ask you for presents again.

An ounce of strong Saudi oud is enough to shut down an entire Midlands city.

Being a relative newbie to the Arabian Gulf, KK will probably have to google that to find out what the heck you are referring to. I used to come across plenty in Jeddah but none over here in Dubs...thank goodness.

Err - try the Arabian Oud stores... They have them in all the malls. Hell, there's even one on Oxford Street.

TBH, I like the smell. But none of my UK friends & family can bear it...

please forgive my ignorance, however I googled Oud only to be told it's a musical instrument?

is it a local tobacco type effort?