ExpatWomen Confession:


Dear EW Girlfriend,

I’ve only been here 4 months and am struggling with the way I am treated in the office. I’m a Senior Manager with a European company in Saudi and I understand that women here have a different ‘status’ to women at home in Europe, but how can I do my job with all these impediments? I’ve spoken to HR at HQ but they think I’m being a bit melodramatic. I’m at a loss and feel like I’m starting to lose control and the little bit of respect I had gained in the office! Any advice would be much appreciated!

FT

ExpatWomen Girlfriend:

Dear FT

Greetings and thanks for your confession. Sounds like you are in a bit of a bind – I’m not sure which is worse: the fact that you are a professional female in a male dominated culture; or that your HR haven’t offered you any assistance or training prior to moving – and have the audacity to not help you out now! It might be a bit late for you, but if possible (and for all those about to embark on a similar posting), insist on gender specific cross cultural training from your company. In order for you to do your job well for your company, you need to be prepared and if that means wearing certain clothing in order to be successful, then you need to know this.

Experts agree that female managers seconded to male dominated locations need to be presented as highly qualified professionals from the moment they arrive in the host location. This gives the female manager credibility and respect in the eyes of her colleagues. Next time your management team are in town, perhaps they could organise for a staff presentation where a high-ranking male in the company introduces you. This enables the host nationals to see that you are highly respected within the company and therefore there is an expectation for that to happen in your office. In some male centric societies, the idea that a female was picked for the position over a man already raises her status and affords her the respect she deserves. However, you must be very aware of damaging that credibility by doing something that maybe considered common courtesy at home, and that only undermines your authority in a patriarchal society. Be careful about making tea and doing photocopying, tasks that are usually reserved for woman’s roles in many countries. And finally, one very important aspect to note: this is their culture and you cannot change this. You can learn about it, recognise the differences and use this knowledge to your advantage, but you cannot impose your cultural values onto theirs. So log on and order yourself a book about doing business in Saudi as a woman and while you are at it, nudge your HR department, so next time they respond! 

ExpatWomen Girlfriend
April 2007 

Our ExpatWomen Girlfriend is originally from New Zealand. She has been living abroad as an expatriate since 1996. She has an educational background in Human Resources and Cross Cultural Psychology and has worked with expatriate support issues at the private, corporate and non-profit level. In 2004, she saw a need and established an English speaking hotline in her expat location, offering free mental health support to the growing expatriate population. The hotline provides confidential and anonymous support and information via trained telephone volunteers and is funded through corporate sponsorship. Our ExpatWomen Girlfriend has always been an active member in the various expatriate communities she has lived in, providing cross-cultural awareness training and informal counselling sessions with a particular focus on the 'trailing spouse' and family.

Disclaimer: This column is intended to be of general interest to ExpatWomen.com visitors.  Its suggestions and/or inferences are generalisations and do not address the needs of individuals, nor should they be relied upon in any shape or form.  Please seek professional advice/counselling/therapy If you genuinely need assistance to talk through issues in your life right now.