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I live on a University campus in the United Arab Emirates. When I first moved here 6 years ago, I was so excited and I thought it would be wonderful to be surrounded by intelligent, interesting people. For my first 6 months here, I had friends and I participated in the community quite a bit. Gradually it came to me, after observing the monumental egotism, pettiness, and shear back biting meanness, that although most people here are undoubtedly intelligent, smart doesn't always mean kind or even interesting. I've had people, who acted friendly enough to my face, lie about me and my kids. There are a few people who wanted my help with something, so they befriended me while they needed me and then pretty much ignored me afterwards. The last time I went to a Christmas party, a professor laughed in my face when I told her I was fairly educated, although I only have a BA. She was drunk, but still.
Add to that the fact that I live in the Middle East, and we are all a bunch of expats who have to be careful, with each other and in general, and seriously I want to mess with the status quo. I've pretty much taken to hiding in my house, though. I get upset and angry too easily, and I just don't trust these people anymore.
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