A tale of the stubborn US doctor and the stubborn KSA hospital

Was it a government hospital?

if you don't like then don't go.

Stand your grounds
Considering your name I would like to think that you are thee Moe from the Simpsons, and he would never back down... well maybe he would. .. actually he would definitely back down. .. never mind that, just stick with your offer doc.

Interesting one themoe.  I followed your previous postings on the topic.

I thought the 5% increase matched what you wanted initially?  For what it's worth, consider the 5% increase and if it meets your requirements, go for it.  Otherwise approach another ME hospital with the "15% plus" figure and see what happens.

Also consider that if you take a post outside KSA, the cost of living is likely to be higher (I am not yet in KSA so this is only based on my research).  This will affect the amount you save and the rate at which you rectify your financial position.

Presumably the treat of divorce no  longer looms?

Dear Themoe,

What is making to feel disturbed. It is a common rule of business. You like it, accept if you don,t back out. Its that simple. What unsual you have found in it, No need to cry gentleman.

I'd do the same. Falling for 5% looks weird to me. They have to agree to your initially presented requirements. If they circle back, they' have to match numbers (even if you beef up).

no, a private hospital

You make some good points. I may be OK to go there by myself instead of the threat of divorce. Cost of living in KSA is definitely lower than other places but a much more restrictive/difficult/boring place to live. I just thought it was strange for the hospital to contact me (not me contacting them), ask me to re-consider, then only go up 5% on the salary, which was 10%+ less than what I had requested earlier. Maybe that's all they can pay, maybe they thought I would take it, maybe they want to make a point, who knows. My recruiting agent (private agent; he works with the hospital but not someone who works for the hospital)said that if they paid me more, then the other doctors in my department would be resentful and jealous, and that if they paid me more then there would be bad relations/feelings between the hospital and me. I asked him how others at the hospital would know my salary and he said "you know how people talk and they will just say things" (so no privacy or professionalism?!). Anyway, sounds like a lot of drama and I thought it was a funny/interesting story showing not only Saudi life and behavior, but human behavior in general.

themoe wrote:

I thought it was a funny/interesting story showing not only Saudi life and behavior, but human behavior in general.

Lol felt like tip-toeing to me but eloquently put nonetheless

Life here is not that bad once you get used to it, and considering you will be living in a compound, you won't be restricted as you may think you would be.

I hope your job and time in KSA go well. Feel free to PM me

themoe wrote:

I hope your job and time in KSA go well. Feel free to PM me

Is that directed at me?

"you know how people talk and they will just say things" (so no privacy or professionalism?!).

THIS is the funniest/most amusing thing you've said and you don't even realize it LOL

There is no privacy, no professionalism, and you can absolutely FORGET about HIPPA!  You won't be in Kansas any more, Doc

Alliecat wrote:

"you know how people talk and they will just say things" (so no privacy or professionalism?!).

THIS is the funniest/most amusing thing you've said and you don't even realize it LOL

There is no privacy, no professionalism, and you can absolutely FORGET about HIPPA!  You won't be in Kansas any more, Doc

Allie
Think of it this way, we are one of the most bored societies ever, we are being oppressed in the name of religion,  culture and tradition. We have a huge social emptiness and we look for anything to fill it up. So once you realize that it would make sense that people like to gossip, and the juicer the gossip is, the more people will talk about it.
I'm not justifying what is happening nor do I condone such behavior. Privacy and professionalism are a must and especially in a work place. I was merely pointing out a cause and effect.

Sorry, no, I meant MancDoc. I must have sent the msg to the wrong person

Local Brownie wrote:

Alliecat wrote:

"you know how people talk and they will just say things" (so no privacy or professionalism?!).

THIS is the funniest/most amusing thing you've said and you don't even realize it LOL

There is no privacy, no professionalism, and you can absolutely FORGET about HIPPA!  You won't be in Kansas any more, Doc

Allie
Think of it this way, we are one of the most bored societies ever, we are being oppressed in the name of religion,  culture and tradition. We have a huge social emptiness and we look for anything to fill it up. So once you realize that it would make sense that people like to gossip, and the juicer the gossip is, the more people will talk about it.
I'm not justifying what is happening nor do I condone such behavior. Privacy and professionalism are a must and especially in a work place. I was merely pointing out a cause and effect.

Most of us can't have GREAT minds here because discussing ideas is feared, rather than encouraged.

Most of us can't even have AVERAGE minds here because there are so few events to discuss.

That leaves SMALL minds as the only available option

themoe wrote:

Sorry, no, I meant MancDoc. I must have sent the msg to the wrong person

Thanks themoe.  It won't be the same though if you are not there.  Remember we are talking about the same hospital!!

O

Really? I didn't know that. PM me if needed?!

Alliecat wrote:

Local Brownie wrote:

Alliecat wrote:

THIS is the funniest/most amusing thing you've said and you don't even realize it LOL

There is no privacy, no professionalism, and you can absolutely FORGET about HIPPA!  You won't be in Kansas any more, Doc

Allie
Think of it this way, we are one of the most bored societies ever, we are being oppressed in the name of religion,  culture and tradition. We have a huge social emptiness and we look for anything to fill it up. So once you realize that it would make sense that people like to gossip, and the juicer the gossip is, the more people will talk about it.
I'm not justifying what is happening nor do I condone such behavior. Privacy and professionalism are a must and especially in a work place. I was merely pointing out a cause and effect.

http://izquotes.com/quotes-pictures/quo … 157872.jpg

Most of us can't have GREAT minds here because discussing ideas is feared, rather than encouraged.

Most of us can't even have AVERAGE minds here because there are so few events to discuss.

That leaves SMALL minds as the only available option

It hurts me to say that this is absolutely true in our case. Contemplating ideas and/or events as Mrs. Roosevelt referred to them is feared here. Anything that could lead to power shifts is deemed taboo and its all the safeguard the religious institute and its hold on the will of the people.
If I were to speak my mind openly I would be spending the rest of my life behind bars if not executed.

@Brownie  Same with the expats but we know it's not our place to say anything.  We just try to go with the flow (like the nationals do) and when our time is finished, we leave this place feeling a bit sorry for the friends we have left behind.

Alliecat wrote:

@Brownie  Same with the expats but we know it's not our place to say anything.  We just try to go with the flow (like the nationals do) and when our time is finished, we leave this place feeling a bit sorry for the friends we have left behind.

I bet the air smells different when you first land home lol and your sentiments are appreciated and valued. I thank you dearly for them

Moe

themoe wrote:

Really? I didn't know that. PM me if needed?!

Sent you a PM.