Tips to help your SO adjust

[~*Dorothy*~ 2]

I know that it is difficult to adjust to different country but I think it is the concious effort that counts and I miss that from my husband...he is not trying...just complaining...

Dorothy

[Jenn! 918]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I suppose this topic is always helpful.

I just thought of another little tip - take some time to explain the concept and process of insurance to your SO when he arrives. I've been beating my head against the wall because Wadi has what seems to be a fundamental distrust of our auto insurance company (hmmm, I wonder why? ) and it's making things difficult. He doesn't seem to understand that the various steps of the claims process are obligatory and not "if you think it's necessary". Ok, end rant. Just a tip to help you avoid banging your head against the wall when the time comes....

[peezey 0]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I suppose this topic is always helpful.

I just thought of another little tip - take some time to explain the concept and process of insurance to your SO when he arrives. I've been beating my head against the wall because Wadi has what seems to be a fundamental distrust of our auto insurance company (hmmm, I wonder why? ) and it's making things difficult. He doesn't seem to understand that the various steps of the claims process are obligatory and not "if you think it's necessary". Ok, end rant. Just a tip to help you avoid banging your head against the wall when the time comes....

My father is from CA and feels the same way about insurance.....he says it's betting you WILL get in an accident, die, become dismembered....lol, crazy curmudgeon.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

One thing i had to explain other night thru computer was i told him i had been to the DRUG STORE he returned asked drug store, i replied yes he ask THAT IS ACCEPTABLE THERE? so i can see much to explain here also

[jordanianprincess 0]

One thing i had to explain other night thru computer was i told him i had been to the DRUG STORE he returned asked drug store, i replied yes he ask THAT IS ACCEPTABLE THERE? so i can see much to explain here also

LMAO

[doodlebug 3]

bump

[amal 4]

thanks doodle, bumping this thread brought back some fun memories of laughing with you all!

one thing I've found makes for a good day is if I make coffee for him. He really appreciates it and it makes him smile . He doesn't demand it, nor does he request it. I just like doing it for him. If he wakes before me, he will make me coffee so its all fair.

[RAKASA 0]

*bump*

[♥Sora_9_Dam3a♥ 0]

wow, great thread!!

haha...i was reading the posts from the beginning and i looked up at the date for one of them and i was like "holy #######!! 2006??..how the hell did i end up here???"...hahaha....now i realize that it was *bumped* haha...anyway, thanks for posting all these great tips!! i really can't get over cleanbutt.com ..that's so funny!!

i was trying to think of what i can add to the list...but i think you've all covered it pretty well...

since day one, my husband's been asking questions on his own...he knows exactly what to expect, he's just really nervous and worried....like, about work for example...he's currently a project/site manager [civil engineer]....and he knows he can't get a job like that from the start here...so he's mentally preparing himself...hmm...what else??

I think it'll it'll be easy to adjust for him...plus, his sister and her husband lived here for over 10 years, so they have friends that he can get to know and my entire family is here, so he won't feel so away from home...the biggest thing is food though...i need to learn how to cook the way his mom does!! haha...its so hard cooking a traditional MENA meal after you've been dieting for years!! lol...it's just so different!..but i'm willing to do anything and everything...i just want him here with meeee!!!

[AlHayatZween 2]

Hi Everybody,

Very interesting info and tips to keep in mind! Thanks, and thanks for reviving the old thread.

Here's my question:

For those of you who are working (or were working at the time that your SO came over), did you take any time off to help him/her adjust? How did you balance work, which is obviously important as the soul breadwinner (at least in the beginning), and your SO's cultural adjustment--finding his way around, finding a job, going to English classes?

Just curious for some ideas.

Thanks,

hz

[~~~water~~~ 0]

yes thank you!!!!

[sereia 0]

Hi Everybody,

Very interesting info and tips to keep in mind! Thanks, and thanks for reviving the old thread.

Here's my question:

For those of you who are working (or were working at the time that your SO came over), did you take any time off to help him/her adjust? How did you balance work, which is obviously important as the soul breadwinner (at least in the beginning), and your SO's cultural adjustment--finding his way around, finding a job, going to English classes?

Just curious for some ideas.

Thanks,

hz

I did take time off...and I think it was a mistake! I think they need to arrive here and see what real life is ..not a vacation! I think that you living in NYC will be a huge advantage (I also used to live there and stupidely moved to CA right before my SO arrived). You can teach your husband to easily use the subways, give him maps of the city, and take him to Astoria and go to Moroccan restaurants, cafes, bakeries, etc. when he gets homesick!

I also signed my husband up for ESL at our local community college. I highly recommend that!

[ya falaha! 0]

I took nearly two weeks off when he first got here and it was kind of a waste. We did nothing.

How did I balance work and my SO's cultural adjustment? I worked the same amount of hours as always and pretty much did the same as always. He couldn't work for nearly 5 months so that sucked. When he did finally start working he really eased right into it. He works for Arabs so I guess that helped.

I'm sorry I really have no advice or tips. Everyone is different so all I can say is, play it by ear.

Hi Everybody,

Very interesting info and tips to keep in mind! Thanks, and thanks for reviving the old thread.

Here's my question:

For those of you who are working (or were working at the time that your SO came over), did you take any time off to help him/her adjust? How did you balance work, which is obviously important as the soul breadwinner (at least in the beginning), and your SO's cultural adjustment--finding his way around, finding a job, going to English classes?

Just curious for some ideas.

Thanks,

hz

[AlHayatZween 2]

I did take time off...and I think it was a mistake! I think they need to arrive here and see what real life is ..not a vacation! I think that you living in NYC will be a huge advantage (I also used to live there and stupidely moved to CA right before my SO arrived). You can teach your husband to easily use the subways, give him maps of the city, and take him to Astoria and go to Moroccan restaurants, cafes, bakeries, etc. when he gets homesick!

I also signed my husband up for ESL at our local community college. I highly recommend that!

Thanks, Sereia!

Yes, i hope living in NYC is an advantage... At least there are a lot of Arabic-speaking people here and a lot of Middle Eastern cultural spots, so i'm hoping that if we get the visa, that will help. i just know how overwhelmed and frustrated i was when i moved to Rabat (and Rabat is soooo calm in comparison to NYC!).

He's definitely going to need ESL classes, too... So much to think about...

Happy Valentine's,

hz

[AlHayatZween 2]

How did I balance work and my SO's cultural adjustment? I worked the same amount of hours as always and pretty much did the same as always.

Interesting... maybe that's all there is to it, right?

i mean what can we do? We have to work...

You are in Detroit, no? There are a lot of Arabs in Detroit, so hopefully that helped some.

Thanks for the insight!

hz