I'm too much Afraid 2 Approach you | O_O |

Salman, you certainly know how to get a discussion going-great pic!! I dont quite get what u mean though? Are you saying that people will judge you for trying to help? Maybe you could break the ice by showing them this pic!

We have a delightful friend we met when out hiking, he'd heard from his father that was an expat group climbing one of the hills he came in to make sure they got down safely.  He was a little concerned that it was getting dark & they still weren't down so he climbed up a gully to meet them. 

Initial reaction: What the hell does the guy with the AK47 want?

However when he started speaking it was clear he was there to help.  The group gladly accepted a lift back to camp in his 4wd and the invitation to visit his family for coffee in the morning.  We've been back to visit them again on subsequent trips, great people.

So as to the point of my story, I think peoples first reaction might be to take a step back,  natural caution while they assess the situation.

However if your manner isn't hostile and you explain yourself clearly,  I think most people will be able to identify and appreciate a genuine offer of assistance.

hahaha,

naaah, its just that I dont expect people to understand my character right away, but I dont want to end up doing damage instead of doing good. like the lady from yesterday, she was with her kid on the gate of the hospital facing the road, imagine if she panicked and tried to cross the road in a worst case scenario, she might of hit a car or something. lol. I dont want to be rude, but this is my point. and I say this cuz stuff like that happend in the past. so I try to be as carefull as possible.

I agree with Alethe. 

First appearances are ONLY first appearances until somebody begins to talk!

And think of it this way: you're not usually holding an AK47   To politely approach and offer help would be greatly appreciated by someone in need, I'm sure!

hmm, now It'd be difficult walking around without my AK47, but I'll have to get used to it then, huh?


back to topic, lol.

so what would be usefull now is stories that sound similar to you people.. tell me what you faced and experienced.


Salman

I never face anything bad. People love me at first sight   (especially Egyptians LOL)

LMAO...

I just rememberd someone slapping me from the back seat.


I'll shutup.

You're not Egyptian LOL

All my bad experiences have been with Saudi women, I think the issue there is to do with anonymity.  Like people on the internet not being able to be seen seems to have a negative impact behavior.  In a passport queue at the UAE border I was hit, kicked, elbowed & screamed at by women attempting to push in, in front of me in the queue.

I'm always weary of the Mutaween but all the ones I've encountered have been polite.  They ask me nicely to cover my hair, I comply they smile and thank me and move away.

Thanks Alethe,

I know women can be like that sometimes. im sorry you had to go through that.

so how did you feel whith the PVPV's first encounter with you?

In my 2 years in Saudi, I've encountered them 4 times.  The first time was a year into my stay and I was already pretty comfortable here. So I did not find it overly distressing.

The thing that helped with the customs queue incident was that it was clear I wasn't being singled out for special attention.  That was simply how they were interacting with all the other people in the queue.  I never realized before that the reason for large handbags is that they make better weapons.

It was amusing to see the contrast between the women's queue which was a violent rugby scrum and the quiet orderly men's queue.

i'd say thats amusing. bags as weapons. i'll keep it in mind. perhaps shields too? lol.

Thanks for sharing alethe.. again.

Salman

Hi Salman,
For my self, I would have to say if you came up to me and asked to help me, I would appreciate it.  I am as white as the snow, and brought up in Toronto Canada, and we have many difference races here, and colour doesnt come into it at all.  Its how the person approaches.  And, for your beard.  It is nice.  Be assertive and helpful, and if ppl are appreciative, they will respond in a nice way.  You will always run into "bad apples" of any race.  So, don't be so tentative about helping.  It seems to be in ur nature.  A good soul u r.

Salman, next time you want to help stay at least 10 paces away, well out of range of any weapon (esp the handbag). You might have to shout a bit but at least you will not end up needing medical help.

ps. It really is a good looking beard.

ps. It really is a good looking beard.

suckup

Thing is, Salman, your English is excellent and your face is certainly not scary  (in real life). 

You have this beard--so what?

I think I wouldn't be scared! Well, if you approached me striking the same pose as the one in your profile pic, then maybe I'd think you were nuts, but all in all I'd appreciate it!

In Qatar, I was approached by a lot of people I wouldn't have expected to help me in so many different situations (the most common when our 4x4 got stuck in the sand, hehehe).

Maybe ponytailing your beard would make it look less sinister...?

Maybe ponytailing your beard would make it look less sinister...?

Or braiding it?  Ala Jack Sparrow?!?

Good looking beard, hmmm? 

As the owner of a very short "dirty" beard, I'll reserve comment on that.

We are in KSA, first, Salman.  Gentlemen with copious amounts of cascading facial hair are quite common.  Some of them are a little "different" but those aren't the ones I would expect to come up and ask a woman and her daughter if they could use some help.

I see no problem with it, at all.  After all, I am sure you are a friendly guy, with a non-threatening voice and an ingratiating smile.

Go for it.

If you ever see me in need of assistance, please feel free to offer it.

You can't miss me...I'm the giant guy with the Red Sox cap on.  My size alone scares children and women...hahahahaha

lols, salman, sometime it is difficult to express and transmit your intension when you approach ppl of different cultures. a month ago, i was on malaysia tour with my wife, we were travelling from kualalumpur to lankawi on air asia, while checking in, i saw an arab couple with 4-5 heavy suit cases ahead of us in line. i saw that check in clerk was telling them about excess luggage, and asking for substantial charges. i tapped the fellow from behind and asked if he has some excess luggage problem, may be i can help, as our total luggage was just 12 kgs. we could have hand carried it and given the allowance to them, but he became so suspicious and apprehensive that he just didnt want to listen:)so all my good intentions went vane...

Hey, we are pink not white

Also you have a good American accent on you Salman so as soon as you start talking they should loose any suspicion?

1 tip, when approaching people to talk to them: take off your sunglasses.

Also put your ak47 to safe

Salman:

With you beard and your white tunic, you look more like a jedi apprentice to me ... you know ... like Obiwan Kenobi .... As you know, jedis are good people.

Did you loose your arm during a lightsaber fight ?

May the force be with you, young jedi!

was reading through this. somewhere it got barried under the rest of the treads.

thanks every one

Salman, Love the new pic!

CAF wrote:

Salman, Love the new pic!

Yes, it is quite flattering, isn't it?

LOL!!

its a prehistoric picture of me before the beard took its territory.

Yes .. you were so young and cute back then!

how about this one then?

still only see the young cute one

With a smile everything becomes acceptable and earn the respect of others.

Salman Omrani wrote:

how about this one then?

Now you see, Salman, if you came up to people offering help and looking like this cute innocent little kid you were way back then, I'm sure no one would run away from you!

awe

but Im not cute and young anymore
at least thats what allie is trying to say.


Salman