Thread regarding Saudi Aramco layoffs

Nice quote from Dylan, just keep the goal in perspective and don't get carried away with all the glitter otherwise you might end up singing....

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal

How does it feel?
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody's ever taught you how to live out on the street
And now you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tr--p, but now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And say do you want to make a deal?

How does it feel?
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
A complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal

How does it feel?
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're all drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

Meanwhile, you got fired.

This site cracks me up. Lots of people here basically going back and forth sharing stories and information on how ridiculous this place is (Through the eyes of the Western expat). The reality is the people that are still there are money hungry to the point that they will put up with anyone and anything in order to keep cashing those checks. The folks wanting to come are either so desperate it doesn't matter what is said on this board, or others like it, they ARE coming. The other contingency likely just received their new, shiny western passport and are coming to a culture that is most familiar to them. Good luck to all groups - may you keep cashing your checks, may you be less miserable then they guy next to you and welcome (back) to the third world.

That is so draining on your mind and soul to have to manage your Manager to such an extent though. Of course, no matter where you work there is a certain amount of politics but to have to 'manage your Manager' to the extent that is required in Aramco (for some Managers) should not be part of your job function. Really not worth it!

There are two kinds of Expats ... Jokers (who try to do the right thing and fail) and Thieves (who just try to get along and bank). Both are doomed ...

There must be some kind of way outta here
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Business men, they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None will level on the line
Nobody offered his word
Hey, hey
No reason to get excited
The thief, he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The hour's getting late, hey
Hey
All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too
Well, uh, outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl, hey
All along the watchtower
All along the watchtower