Earlier this week in the JT (this stands for Jordanian Times and not "Journal Televise" - the abbreviation used for the French TV news), there was a very interesting article about "Women participation" in the Jordanian labour force. Feminists out there you better take a seat: only 14.9% of the workforce is represented by women - really bad considering the average in the whole Middle East - North Africa region where it's 28% (not glamorous, but slightly better).
I don't really know what kind of positions women hold in this country. I guess where I have seen the highest concentration is at our bank. Wherever you go, it is always men serving you: bars, restaurants, the baker, the fruit stalls. I have seen one female police officer since we arrived 5 months ago, even in baby shops, shoe shops or female clothes shops you have young men - and with it really loud music, usually techno. When you do groceries you'll see a woman here and there, but even most cashier positions (which are typical a woman's job in Europe) are held by men. Higher skilled positions, like teachers, journalists, lawyers, I don't have any relation with at all so I don't know.
The same goes for driving, for exemple. When we arrived to Amman, I started straight away - I thought I could as well just do it. The first day or so when I took the car and Bobs wasn't there, the doorman very sweetly commented on the fact that I was taking the car by myself and added something along the lines " my wife has always lived in Amman and she doesn't know how to get to City Mall!". We joked about it and I have asked him since if he has paid some driving lessons to his wife!? Probably not. But then there is the other problem what does she do with her 9months old baby while she is driving anyway? The use of baby seats is not wide spread and you usually see the kids crawling around in the car, poking their faces out on the windows and the mums sitting with the smaller ones on their lap (those ones also poking their faces out).
So why is it? Can Jordanian women not work and have a family? Don't they want to? Is it pure sexism? Just tradition? Are the Jordanian educated women leaving Jordan to get a well paid job somewhere else? I don't have an answer for all these questions, I certainly don't know the Jordanian population well enough to comment on them. But I know that in France for exemple, every year new reports come out and wage discrimination, job parity are always discussed.
Am no feminist - am a stay at home mum, I liked working, but I don't believe that I can work and give 100% and be a mum and give 100%. Of course if I had no choice I would have worked, but I can stay at home and I love it! However some women crave for independence, want to have their own money, a career, get out of the house - all this I totally understand - and they should have the possibility, no, the right to work, make good money (or at least as much as men!) and enjoy it as well.
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
a thought about expat life
Everyday I am learning a bit more about expat life. Most of the time it's good stuff, but the occasional difficult thing comes up as well... I have found, I guess, The Thing I don't like about this lifestyle.
By the end of the summer, I will have lost 3 friends that I have met since we arrived to Amman! If I am loosing friends, it means that Bibs is loosing her friends as well... And that gets me wondering how it will be for her when she grows up. I am used to it, usual it's me leaving though, but how will Bibs react when she grows older? Seeing her friends come and go again? Will it make it easier for her to meet new people, a more sociable person? Or on the contrary will she get shy and fed up because she has to make efforts every time? Will she become restless and a globe trotter? or will she find a small village somewhere where she'll stay because she has done enough travelling and she wants stability?
I guess all this depends on the character, but I do wonder... Of course today with all the social networks it is easier to stay in touch with people: Facebook, MSN, Twitter, Skype... All this makes it so much easier to follow people around, know where they are, what they are doing, keep the contact so that friendships don't just disappear. I am back in touch with many people I had lost contact with because of these networks. When I was kid we had to exchange addresses and write letters. You do it a couple of times if you are motivated, and then you stop because there are other things to do...
One of the good things with this lifestyle, is that Bibs will know people from everywhere, and I hope that she'll grow up to be tolerant and curious about the world. I also hope that she won't be too angry at us when we will be going from one country to another! Is it selfish from our part to "oblige" our daughter to follow our lifestyle? Well well... so many questions and they will only be answered in many years! Until then I'll just have to do my best.
Well, well anyways. Tomorrow we are off to the Hot Springs in Ma'In, you can read about last time we were there here. Going to enjoy a nice massage and this time I have the backpack for Bibs and my walking shoes! So I hope I'll bring back some new stunning pictures.
By the end of the summer, I will have lost 3 friends that I have met since we arrived to Amman! If I am loosing friends, it means that Bibs is loosing her friends as well... And that gets me wondering how it will be for her when she grows up. I am used to it, usual it's me leaving though, but how will Bibs react when she grows older? Seeing her friends come and go again? Will it make it easier for her to meet new people, a more sociable person? Or on the contrary will she get shy and fed up because she has to make efforts every time? Will she become restless and a globe trotter? or will she find a small village somewhere where she'll stay because she has done enough travelling and she wants stability?
I guess all this depends on the character, but I do wonder... Of course today with all the social networks it is easier to stay in touch with people: Facebook, MSN, Twitter, Skype... All this makes it so much easier to follow people around, know where they are, what they are doing, keep the contact so that friendships don't just disappear. I am back in touch with many people I had lost contact with because of these networks. When I was kid we had to exchange addresses and write letters. You do it a couple of times if you are motivated, and then you stop because there are other things to do...
One of the good things with this lifestyle, is that Bibs will know people from everywhere, and I hope that she'll grow up to be tolerant and curious about the world. I also hope that she won't be too angry at us when we will be going from one country to another! Is it selfish from our part to "oblige" our daughter to follow our lifestyle? Well well... so many questions and they will only be answered in many years! Until then I'll just have to do my best.
Well, well anyways. Tomorrow we are off to the Hot Springs in Ma'In, you can read about last time we were there here. Going to enjoy a nice massage and this time I have the backpack for Bibs and my walking shoes! So I hope I'll bring back some new stunning pictures.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Differences
I have never been a trousers girl. You know, some women like trousers and others prefer skirts or dresses. In highschool I didn't wear the usual uniform: jeans. I would rather freeze my butt off in shorts or skirts in winter. Another thing about me: I don't care what people think about me, never have, never will. So where does this bring us?
Well, one of the biggest differences I have felt yet is clearly clothes wise. For the past 4 months (yes, already!) I have been the only person I see with a skirt. Ok nearly, but the only with bare legs certainly. Don't get me wrong, my skirts are of "longueur convenable" like the nuns at my school used to say: acceptable length or just on the knees (that was before the shorts in highschool).
How many times have I been in a shopping mall where people are looking at me with nearly disapproving looks, because of my bare legs - women more than men actually - men don't seem to care (or look), but women do. I would never go to downtown Amman in a skirt, but in a western world invention: a shopping mall with underwear, short skirts and small tops in the shop windows I can't see the harm. Who are buying that stuff anyways as nobody wears it? besides the point. Here the uniform is jeans as well (for the women not wearing a hijab obviously), even now that it is 30 degrees outside. Very rarely, I would see other expat women but with very very long skirts - something 1. that doesn't suit me, 2. that i don't like them.
But then came yesterday. I don't know if it's because the weather is clearly warmer, but yesterday I met 3 others who skirts on. And they were not touching the floor! So even if I don't care what people think, I don't like to hurt anyones feelings. Now that I know that I am not alone I feel much better!
Well, one of the biggest differences I have felt yet is clearly clothes wise. For the past 4 months (yes, already!) I have been the only person I see with a skirt. Ok nearly, but the only with bare legs certainly. Don't get me wrong, my skirts are of "longueur convenable" like the nuns at my school used to say: acceptable length or just on the knees (that was before the shorts in highschool).
How many times have I been in a shopping mall where people are looking at me with nearly disapproving looks, because of my bare legs - women more than men actually - men don't seem to care (or look), but women do. I would never go to downtown Amman in a skirt, but in a western world invention: a shopping mall with underwear, short skirts and small tops in the shop windows I can't see the harm. Who are buying that stuff anyways as nobody wears it? besides the point. Here the uniform is jeans as well (for the women not wearing a hijab obviously), even now that it is 30 degrees outside. Very rarely, I would see other expat women but with very very long skirts - something 1. that doesn't suit me, 2. that i don't like them.
But then came yesterday. I don't know if it's because the weather is clearly warmer, but yesterday I met 3 others who skirts on. And they were not touching the floor! So even if I don't care what people think, I don't like to hurt anyones feelings. Now that I know that I am not alone I feel much better!
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Why I like our life in Amman!
A couple of weeks ago Bibs was invited to a birthday party. One of my friend's daughter turned 2 (big girl!). We had a nice afternoon with cake and birthday song. As usual in Jordan, there were mums from different courntries and it is always interesting to hear what they think about life here. One of the mums was from Houston, Texas and is married to a Jordanian. They came to live here not too long ago. I usually shoot the question "so what do you think of living here..." but she beat me to it.
And my answer was "i really like it here". She looked at me as she was thinking "what can she possibly like about living in Amman"... and then she asked me exactly that. So here we go: a top 10 of things I like about our life in Amman.
1. important for my mental health: I get up in the morning and the sun is shinning. And the day when it doesn't, I know it won't last. I know some say I'll be fed up, but let me reassure you... I won't!
2. life is easy. Much easier than in the UK. i have a housekeeper who comes 3 times a week, a hares available should i need to change a light bulb and I buy my vegetables from a guy who stops in front of my building.
3. Jordanians are nice. It is lovely to be in an environment where most people are actually helpful
4. the food. sharwama, humous, the best dates ever... Tomatoes that taste of tomatoes
5. my baby group! and all the lovely mums & babies/toddlers we have met already
6. interesting country, with tons of things to visit and discover
7. the driving haha!
8. though Bobs is working 5.5 days a week I see him more in the evenings than when we were living in the UK
9. how much respect and love the Jordanians show to the Royal family - I really think it is lovely.
10. Last but not least! i dont have to work, which means that i can spend every day with my lovely Bibs. Let's be honest in Europe i should have had to find a job again, we couldn't have afforded this.
And much more...
Of course nothing is perfect. So a top 3 of the bouhbouh things:
1. no pavements: so you can't walk anywhere, I need to take my car whereever I want to go. - that's another thing this lady from Houston didn't really understand! Why should I want to walk?!?
2. grocery shopping: it's expensive (imported goods) and you can't be sure to get what you want just because they had it last time! Well actually not only grocery, all type of shopping. Amman is not a shopping destination!
3. euh can't think of one right now!
What do you like about the place where you live??
And my answer was "i really like it here". She looked at me as she was thinking "what can she possibly like about living in Amman"... and then she asked me exactly that. So here we go: a top 10 of things I like about our life in Amman.
1. important for my mental health: I get up in the morning and the sun is shinning. And the day when it doesn't, I know it won't last. I know some say I'll be fed up, but let me reassure you... I won't!
2. life is easy. Much easier than in the UK. i have a housekeeper who comes 3 times a week, a hares available should i need to change a light bulb and I buy my vegetables from a guy who stops in front of my building.
3. Jordanians are nice. It is lovely to be in an environment where most people are actually helpful
4. the food. sharwama, humous, the best dates ever... Tomatoes that taste of tomatoes
5. my baby group! and all the lovely mums & babies/toddlers we have met already
6. interesting country, with tons of things to visit and discover
7. the driving haha!
8. though Bobs is working 5.5 days a week I see him more in the evenings than when we were living in the UK
9. how much respect and love the Jordanians show to the Royal family - I really think it is lovely.
10. Last but not least! i dont have to work, which means that i can spend every day with my lovely Bibs. Let's be honest in Europe i should have had to find a job again, we couldn't have afforded this.
And much more...
Of course nothing is perfect. So a top 3 of the bouhbouh things:
1. no pavements: so you can't walk anywhere, I need to take my car whereever I want to go. - that's another thing this lady from Houston didn't really understand! Why should I want to walk?!?
2. grocery shopping: it's expensive (imported goods) and you can't be sure to get what you want just because they had it last time! Well actually not only grocery, all type of shopping. Amman is not a shopping destination!
3. euh can't think of one right now!
What do you like about the place where you live??
Monday, 8 March 2010
International Women's Day
March 8th - today it's International Women's Day... I think it is very unfortunate that in 2010 we still need a day to remember discrimination against women and in general to celebrate Women. The first International Women's Conference was held in Copenhagen a century ago and the first International Women's Day was honoured for the first time in 1911 in 4 European countries including Denmark. Here is an example again of why I am proud of being Danish!
There are still too many countries where women's rights are not respected and still too many differences between men & women, boys and girls around the globe. There is still a lot to be done for women & men to be equal even in the western world and in developping countries even more so. Please have a look on the IWD's website to see what is happening in your countries and how the day is celebrated in others.
To all Women around the world: HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY!!
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Thoughts about Individuality
I am a wife, I am a mum, I am number 2 of 2 sisters, I am a daughter, I am an aunty and a sister in law. I am all this but who am I? I mean: me, as an individual?
I have given up my carrier in hospitality, yes, my choice – so that I can have a stable family life and take care of my baby-girl. I have left the continent where I have my family, my friends, yes my choice again – so that my husband can fulfil his career ambitions. These 2 decisions have of course changed my life, and I would do it all again. No regrets. Am I happy? As happy as I can be. But of course it doesn’t leave much space for me: I am a wife and a mum! So what do I do to be me? What am I passionate about?
I have always liked writing – so I have started this blog. I don’t think am particularly good at it. But it is a way for me to keep “in the loop” those back “home” (see my previous post about this topic), helping others who wish to move to Jordan (tomorrow probably another country) and it is also good for my brain! Who knows? I might even get better at it as well! But more importantly I enjoy it! I enjoy thinking about what I am going to write about and always having my camera on me, should I see something that I find interesting and that I want to share.
That brings me to the second thing I really enjoy: photography. I am really working on this. Is it an art? I guess it can be – even though I don’t create something as such, a great picture still brings emotions just like a painting or a piece of music can do. I take pictures of Bibs (tons!) and then of everything and anything. These past couple of years I have taken thousands. Am I good at it? Sometimes I capture what I want but most of the time I miss. So here again I hope I will get better over time…
The last thing on the list is of course being Mum. Wow, that is the most amazing thing in the world! I am working on it every minute of my day – every day brings it’s new surprises and I love it. But I also want Bibs to grow up seeing me as being someone else than “mum”. And I hope that the 2 previous hobbies will help me to achieve that.
These things are mine. The other things I am passionate about are all things shared with Bobs: the travelling, the hotels & the restaurants, the cooking. But again, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yet, it is difficult as an individual to evolve in an everyday life where everything is about the persons you love – should they be close or far away.
Thanks Elisa (and your sister) for this amazing subject. Hope I have answered your question…
I have given up my carrier in hospitality, yes, my choice – so that I can have a stable family life and take care of my baby-girl. I have left the continent where I have my family, my friends, yes my choice again – so that my husband can fulfil his career ambitions. These 2 decisions have of course changed my life, and I would do it all again. No regrets. Am I happy? As happy as I can be. But of course it doesn’t leave much space for me: I am a wife and a mum! So what do I do to be me? What am I passionate about?
I have always liked writing – so I have started this blog. I don’t think am particularly good at it. But it is a way for me to keep “in the loop” those back “home” (see my previous post about this topic), helping others who wish to move to Jordan (tomorrow probably another country) and it is also good for my brain! Who knows? I might even get better at it as well! But more importantly I enjoy it! I enjoy thinking about what I am going to write about and always having my camera on me, should I see something that I find interesting and that I want to share.
That brings me to the second thing I really enjoy: photography. I am really working on this. Is it an art? I guess it can be – even though I don’t create something as such, a great picture still brings emotions just like a painting or a piece of music can do. I take pictures of Bibs (tons!) and then of everything and anything. These past couple of years I have taken thousands. Am I good at it? Sometimes I capture what I want but most of the time I miss. So here again I hope I will get better over time…
The last thing on the list is of course being Mum. Wow, that is the most amazing thing in the world! I am working on it every minute of my day – every day brings it’s new surprises and I love it. But I also want Bibs to grow up seeing me as being someone else than “mum”. And I hope that the 2 previous hobbies will help me to achieve that.
These things are mine. The other things I am passionate about are all things shared with Bobs: the travelling, the hotels & the restaurants, the cooking. But again, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yet, it is difficult as an individual to evolve in an everyday life where everything is about the persons you love – should they be close or far away.
Thanks Elisa (and your sister) for this amazing subject. Hope I have answered your question…
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Citizens of the World
I was talking to a friend of mine the other day during our now weekly Starbucks Mum & Baby meet-up and she asked me what I consider “Home”… Many people actually ask me that question.
I am born in Denmark, this small Scandinavian country – and no there are no polar bears walking around in the streets of Copenhagen!! When I was kid we moved to France where I grew up, then went on studying in Switzerland and started to travel – US, UK, back to France, back to UK and now Jordan. Well I don’t know where home is! I feel very Danish and I am proud to be Danish – but I left far too young to able to call it “Home”. I grew up in France and I call my parents house “home” – but I don’t feel or consider myself French, so it is not there either…
That got me wondering, is that strange not to be able to say where home is? Yesterday home was London, home today is Amman, tomorrow it will most probably be somewhere else. Of course it has it’s disadvantages: you are often far away from your family & old friends, it is difficult to keep up with family traditions, I miss some foods… but apart from these few things I can only see advantages: it has made me who I am today – tolerant, open minded, new things don’t scare me (well they do a little bit now that I am a mum and that’s a new feeling!). I have visited plenty of countries and will hopefully see many more. I know people from big cities and others from tiny places there are not even on maps.
So am I missing out on something? and more importantly what about Bibs? will it be a problem for her as she grows up? or will she just adapt easily to her new surroundings every time we will have to move? of course we might find in this world a place where one day, we would want to stay and that I finally can call “Home”.
Maybe, some time, some where…
For the time being, I guess I can call us Citizens of the World.
I am born in Denmark, this small Scandinavian country – and no there are no polar bears walking around in the streets of Copenhagen!! When I was kid we moved to France where I grew up, then went on studying in Switzerland and started to travel – US, UK, back to France, back to UK and now Jordan. Well I don’t know where home is! I feel very Danish and I am proud to be Danish – but I left far too young to able to call it “Home”. I grew up in France and I call my parents house “home” – but I don’t feel or consider myself French, so it is not there either…
That got me wondering, is that strange not to be able to say where home is? Yesterday home was London, home today is Amman, tomorrow it will most probably be somewhere else. Of course it has it’s disadvantages: you are often far away from your family & old friends, it is difficult to keep up with family traditions, I miss some foods… but apart from these few things I can only see advantages: it has made me who I am today – tolerant, open minded, new things don’t scare me (well they do a little bit now that I am a mum and that’s a new feeling!). I have visited plenty of countries and will hopefully see many more. I know people from big cities and others from tiny places there are not even on maps.
So am I missing out on something? and more importantly what about Bibs? will it be a problem for her as she grows up? or will she just adapt easily to her new surroundings every time we will have to move? of course we might find in this world a place where one day, we would want to stay and that I finally can call “Home”.
Maybe, some time, some where…
For the time being, I guess I can call us Citizens of the World.
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