Hate your smile? Can't use whitening products due to sensitive teeth? Read on

 

Dear Readers,

Do you look at your pics on FB  and wonder if an Instagram filter can brighten your smile? Do you shy away from whitening products like strips or toothpastes because their harsh chemical will further weaken your enamel and make your sensitive teeth hurt?

My teeth are sensitive on and off, sometimes they are fine, but at others they get very sensitive and I start using Sensodyne again. Although I'd love to whiten my teeth using whitening strips I know my enamel is not strong, it would hurt too much, take a long time sitting there waiting or it to painfully lift the stains from my teeth and damage  my tooth enamel in the process.. 

I found out that I am not alone in my teeth troubles...


What the market research shows/ what you say?

 YOU ARE NOT ALONE !

• 83% of people in Saudi Arabia have sensitive teeth

o   Of which, it impacts 65% of people's eating habits and diet (read avoiding ice cream or sweets or coffee till it cools  down a bit)

o   36% claim it impacts their happiness

o   24% say it impacts their lifestyle in general

·       

• Men are more likely to untag themselves from a photograph on Facebook due to not liking how their teeth look

•   79% of people in KSA are worried at some level about how their teeth look
• Nearly 40% don’t smile or show their teeth when taking photographs

• 66% of people would like whiter teeth and are actively looking for a solution
• 60% of people feel guilty about not doing enough for their teeth

• 55% of people worry about how abrasive whitening products can be on their teeth
• Nearly 40% of people spend less than three minutes on their daily grooming routine

•  64% of people want to have healthy white teeth to boost their confidence, whilst
•  41% also cited the desire to look professional

   So I am very excited to finally have a solution to our teeth problems in Sensodyne's newest and first whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth Sensodyne TRUE WHITE!

Add caption

What's new?

• First whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth endorsed by dentists
• 10x less abrasive than many everyday whitening toothpastes
• Breakthrough in whitening for sensitive teeth

What it claims to do?

• Sensitivity relief in an ultra-low abrasion formulation
• Specialist whitening for sensitive teeth 
  
• Clinically proven to be as gentle on dentine as brushing with water
•  More than 10x less abrasive than most whitening toothpastes
• With twice daily brushing, leaves a protective shield to help prevent new stains forming
• True innovation - sensitivity relief and whiter teeth, with ultra-low abrasion 

   
  

   What the experts say?

  Dr Aziz a reknowned dentist says:
  
  

  “In my opinion, this is the right choice for patients suffering from Sensitivity who also want to whiten their teeth.”

  
  

  برأيي، استخدام معجون الأسنان الحسّاسة ترو وايت أكثر لطفاً وأماناً للمرضى الذين يعانون من حساسية الأسنان وفي الوقت نفسه، يريدون تبييض أسنانهم.  

   
  
  For more information about Sensodyne True White be sure to check out the Sensodyne Youtube and Facebook page.

*Sponsored Post*

Saudi Arabia bans English and Gregorian Calender!

Dear Readers,

Up until now, most businesses in Saudi Arabia use both dates the Islamic Hjiri calendar printed by Um AlQura university and the Gregorian calender. Similarly English is used alongside Arabic, as there are many non-Arabic speakers in Saudi Arabia.

So when I read that English and Gregorian calender had been 'banned I was shocked.
The Gulf News reported that the use of the English language, widely used in business, has been banned, as has the use of the Gregorian calendar, according to a statement issued by a Saudi Ministry. The statement went on to explain the reason for the ban as an attempt to preserve the Arabic language and the Islamic calendar.

First of all I dont think Arabic is under any threat of becoming a 'lost' language, definitely not here in Saudi Arabia. Most Saudis and Arabs speak/read/write Arabic in fact sometimes it is a problem to find someone with similar fluency in English or both languages.

You have to use Gregorian dates dealing on all international business transactions, and on passports otherwise they won't know when to show up for a meeting, expect payment, or the validity of your passport.

Secondly, which elusive Saudi Ministry issued this edict??? The Ministry of Interior?, Surely they have more sense than this.

Thirdly, if this is another foolish attempt to improve Saudiization levels by making the lives of foreginers more uncomfortable, then it is a very stupid move, indeed. There's a better way of drastically improving Saudization levles and increading investment in the kingdom to boot: Grant citizenship or a green card or indefinite leave to remain to those who have been born here or have lived/worked here for more than 20 years, and allow them start busienss buy proeprties with sacred property rights. Now that initiative would be a win-win...

I'm waiting for a retraction and the person who issued this moronic statement to disappear.
English is the international language of business, and you certainly, can't ban it. It is a step backwards, and that's really the last thing Saudi Arabia needs right now, and I think everyone realises that.








So lets all sit and wait until some sort of clarification or retraction presents itself

I'm an Expat and I Blog!

Dear Readers,

Today, I'm doing a post about a great website, Expat Blog  for current and prospective expats all over the world.

I think its very useful to have a network of support when you are an expat in a foreign land, especially for the first time, it can save you from unecessary hassle and worries and help avoid embarrassing gaffes! You can post questions, make friends, post ads, look for accommodation and even apply for jobs. How to say basic stuff in a new language, basic DOs and DON'Ts all help to make the experience less daunting and more enjoyable.

Check out more information below:

What’s Expat blog? It’s a web portal launched in 2005 by expatriates, for expatriates. Its ambition is to help people living or willing to live abroad, wherever they are from or would like to go. Expat blog is the most active online community of expatriates, with 420 000 members from 206 countries and 400 big cities, a true online global village.
Who is it for? For all the people living or wishing to live abroad. It is a platform of expression and exchange, an information source about expatriation.
How does it work? The website offers various tools to help expats and potential expatriates:
-          discussion forums
-          expatriate blogs directory
-          guides
-          photo albums
-          business directory
-          classifieds.
 

Jizan Credit: Eihctir, Expat blog

New features : Jobs and Housing sections
To meet the demands of expatriates and soon-to-be expatriates in Saudi Arabia, Expat blog has launched two new dedicated spaces: a jobs section and a housing section. They are aimed at helping people in their job and accommodation search, two essential steps when expatriating.
The idea is to get access to job offers in Saudi Arabia and everywhere in the world, wherever you are. You can have access to the Saudi Arabia job opportunities, per job category and job contract. You can also create your CV and contact potential employers. This is a great resource as information about jobs in Saudi is not always available online.
 

Jeddah Credit: Jeddah-boy expat blog

 


The Saudi Arabia Housing section enables you to look for or to offer an accommodation: rental, flat share, flat, house…it’s up to you! You can see pictures of the apartment and get in touch with the person via Expat blog (you need to be a member of Expat blog to post an ad). Real estate agents in Saudi charge alot of money are of little or no use so this is really helpful.

Credit AmiraAlmani Expat blog

Curse You Dan Humphrey- Gossip Girl

Why am I cursing poor Dan Humphrey you may ask? Well, ever since I started watching Season 5 of Gossip Girl, I've been bitten by the writing bug. Well, to be honest, I've been infected by the malady for a while now; this blog itself is an amateur attempt to practise writing something-anything, which someone might find it worthwhile reading.

Now, I find that a close friend and I have been privy to lifestyles of certain individuals which some people would find captivating and maybe even entertaining, embellished by a touch of artistic license, of course. However, only if we go ahead and breach the confidence and trust which is a tacit part of most relationships. After watching Dan Humphrey’s 'Inside' become such a success on a similar premise, although with much more salacious content, I’ve literally got the writing itch.

Another factor which both compels me and hinders me from writing a book about my life in Saudi is the sort of literature currently available on Saudi Arabia. These books usually depict the 'magic kingdom’ in a draconian light, full of cruel sheikhs inhumanly abusing and locking up women; burdened by a vicious compound of culture and religion that deserves to be reviled. The characters are almost cartoonish caricatures of a few bad individuals that exist in every society. The writers seem hell-bent on twisting the facts to appeal to the tastes of an already brainwashed anti-Middle Eastern audience. 

There is a blog based on the book, Desperate in Dubai, and although you can immediately tell its been written with the commercial aspect in mind, I don't think I could write a whole book in that strain. Correction: I could, but I wouldn't. Firstly, thank God, this is Saudi, and secondly I don't want to propagate that false gold plated Swarosky studded vodka drinking on a drug-high, sleeping around image. I'm sure there are few of those types here as well, but then I know a few of those characters exist in every country regardless of culture and religion, be it Hong Kong, Mumbai, Brunei, Singapore, Milan, Riyadh, Dubai, or Gossip Girl's New York City- Upper East Side to be exact..

When I joined the Amazon Associates program I chose the option that adverts should be shown according to the content of my blog, I was expecting some Middle Eastern themes, but as I tend to write reviews of Western literature, I thought those books would most likely be advertised on my blog. Instead, I had to deal with titles like Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil, by Jean Sassoon (Argh!).  I would have never thought possible a book could spread so much misinformation and bad PR.  

I want people to know what Saudis are really like. A very small percentage lives as Bedouins living in tents and riding camels! They are not all evil or all saints, but like most of us, somewhere in between. The stupendous rise in wealth and modern conveniences in a very short time from the seventies to eighties has no doubt created a society with curious eccentricities, which can be understood, if not always justified. I wish to lift the veil of mystery, and mistrust that shrouds Saudi Arabia and shed light on a generally hospitable people. The urban culture of the larger cities has gone through immense changes since the eighties, so the stories of old seem even more irrelevant.

That’s not to say that everybody or everything here is the same as NYC, London, or Paris, or even Dubai, although the people I socialise consider at least one of these cities their second home. Saudi Arabia has its unique flavour, and but keep your mind open and expect the unexpected.

If I feel brave enough to accept the challenge, I may share anecdotes from the lives of local residents with a bit artistic license, of course ;-)

xoxo

M.I.A's Bad Girls- and Saudi Ban on Women Driving

 M.I.A 's Bad Girls song has been making waves in Saudi, and maybe some other parts of the world where people are 'concerned' with women's rights' in Saudi Arabia.

Before I discuss the video, and my opinions and more, I would like to get a few FAQs out of the way.

FAQs about M.I.A's Bad Girls music video

The lead 'singer' M.I.A (Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam)  is NOT Saudi, she is a British rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent.

The music video Bad Girls was NOT filmed in Saudi Arabia, it was filmed in Morroco-there is a  big difference, in fact the countries are on 2 different continents.

I'm not sure where the background extras are from, but I would bet any amount that they are not from Saudi Arabia.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Ok, where do I start? Well, like  most women in Saudi Arabia, I believe, that women should be allowed to drive. In my most frustrated moments, when I have no one to take me to a destination 5 minutes drive from my house, and am not able to go I have a lot to vent.

But in my calm moments, I realise the change will have to come gradually in society, for example finally after decades of inconvenience we have saleswomen in lingerie stores. I think as women take a greater role in public life, we will see more acceptance of women driving.

I am not a fan of Saudi bashing as it I think it is morally incorrect to bite the hand that feeds you. I also believe it is an internal Saudi problem, and that it isn't one that demands the amount of media attention it is lauded with. The Telegraph blog did an article titled Watch: M.I.A's middle finger to Saudi Arabia's insane driving laws trumps Madonna's sexy pop  both article and comments below it seem to be using the driving ban to spew hate against the 'Islamic kingdom' , the Middle East, its culture and more. I really wish that Saudi religous academics had never issued that stupid report saying that women driving will lead to pornography, homosexuality..and wait for it ..no more virgins. I guess if you say things you are asking for a response in the form of that article at the very least.

It also begs the question, that since men drive, often illegally from the age of 12, that must mean none of them are virgins, as soon as they start driving they become gay,  and indulge in pornography- while the women stay at home all pure and straight. I think by this logic, Saudi men should be banned from driving too and only foreigners should be permitted to drive, since they are n't in any danger of losing their morals as they were born in open societies. It also paints a very disturbing picture of society where a driving ban is the only thing preventing the Islamic Kingdom from turning into the Kingdom of Sin!

Secondly, the video shows Saudi style drifting which is a serious problem, and it glamourises these dangerous  activites of the youth. Her lyrics, 'Live fast , die young' are all too representative of that lifestyle, and I think the youth  don't need further encouragement. Too many young livesare lost this way every day.

The rest of the song  lyrics and music itself is not too my taste, the only thing I like is the Arabic music riff .

The song will serve to enrage people who are actually for women driving as Western interference/taunting is never approved by the mainstream Saudi population. Even the youth who listens to Western music is getting sick and tired of the stereotyping that goes on. If the opponents of women driving become aware of the video, it will only reinforce their stance that it is part of a Western agenda to loosen the morals of Saudi women.

On a final note, the way people who are supposed to be Arab/Saudi don the headgear in any movie/ music video etc made in the West make me cringe. Its like they think you can just put a cloth on your head and some sort ring or tie another cloth on top of htat nad you are done. Sigh! I'll havet odo apost on the wonderful different ways to wear Shemagh or Ghuthra and how it makes most Saudi men look better with than without- not the cartoonish caricatures you always seen in Hollywood representations. 

I am not sure if it will make M.I.A more popular, maybe next time she can do a song about the hundreds being killed in Syria while the world watches in silence.


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Why this kolaveri di song- Arabic version!

Today I'm going to blog about the Arabic version of the Indian song 'Why this kolaveri di ' of Tamil origin (I think).  Despite its cringeworthy ridiculousness, (is that even a word?!) the song has become a viral hit in India and possibly other parts of the world, wherever there is an Indian diaspora and fans of Bollwood movies and songs. The song is mainly in poor English, sung in a heavy Tamil accent, (no offense).

The original song can be found here, but it has spawned countless versions which I'm  sure you can find on Youtube if you for some reason, possibly sheer boredom or an impending deadline, were inclined to do so.

I recently came across the Arabic version of this song,(by Faez Chowdhury) i.e it has the same tune, same music, but the wording is in Arabic, poor Arabic, the Saudi slang that is spoken,  by workers from the South Asia and is sung in an Indian accent, It was shown as part of a comedy/satire series called Ana Asif/I'm Sorry on MBC1. It's Arabic name is Why this khalli-walli ? you can watch it below.

The lyrics follow the pattern, of the original song so if you listen to it first, you might find it more amusing, but the song on its own is a hilarious-yet sad but true.

Whereas the original is about the plight of a young man in love, the Arabic version is about plight of a South Asian worker who's sponsor/ kafeel has told him to get lost/khalli walli. The song illustrates the poor working conditions faced by underpaid, overworked, unskilled labour from South Asia; and the treatment meted out to them by their Middle Eastern sponsors. I wish I could say that this was the exception and not the norm but sadly it isn't so. Unless there are laws to protect these workers, they will continue to suffer as they are driven to the middle east by extreme poverty and lack of job opportunities.

Below is the transliteration and translation of the song in English. (I haven't translated the lyrics into proper English because its meant be broken Arabic and I wanted to capture the tone of some one speaking without fluency )

This is turning out to be a truly multi-cultural post about the Arabic version of an Indian song with English translation about the plight of South Asian workers in the Middle East! I've written the translation in brown next to Romanized Arabic lyrics

Aiywa sadeeq, ana ghanni song: Yeah, friend I going to sing song,

Arbi song: Arabic song

Ma fee quwais song: Not good song

Why this khalli walli khalli walli khalli walli- khalli walli-: Why this get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost?  repeat*3

haza kafeel ilbas abiyad: This sponsor wears white

wa qalb kulo aswad: And his heart is all black:
haza kulo youm gir gir gir gir: Every day he tells off
haza nafr bakheel: This man is a miser

Why this khalli walli khalli walli khalli walli- khalli walli- walli : Why this get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost  repeat*3

Floos mafee, mafee akul: No money, no eat 
Ana miskeen, ibki: I'm poor, I cry
Ma fee raha, ma fee nom, ish haza ya habibi: No rest, no sleep, what is this 'dear'? (see habibi)

Why this khalli walli khalli walli khalli walli- khalli walli- walli : Why this get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost  repeat*3

---Aiywa baba kaifal haal, mama kaisa hai: Yeah Dad, how are you, how's Mom?
Baba baba haza kafeel mushkila: Dad, Dad, this sponsor is a problem
Haza kafeel mafee sawwee kafalaa, haza kafeel sawwee khrooj nehaeee: This sponsor isn't going to sponsor me, this sponsor is going to do(send me on) my final-exit

Haza fee ghair alheyn, alhey ghair: This is then, then is this
kaam ziyada..laazim arby: Too much work (sung in hindi)..[some one says].must be in arabic
shughul ziyada, raatib maafee, raatib kullu weyn? : Too much work (sung in Arabic), no pay, where did all the salary go?
Sawwi shahee, ghasl sayyara, nazaf kullu bait: Make tea, wash the car, clean the whole house
Insaan, Insaan, Ana Insaan, Ma fee hayawan ya mudeer: Human, human I'm a human, not an animal O Manager
Mama, mama, ana mama, taaban katheer ya kafeel: Mama, Mama, I'm very tired O my sponsor
Haza Nafr mo quwais, aish sawwee qool?: This man is not good, what do you say?
Mafee ibghaa sawa sawa shugul, ana fee ibgha irja3 balad: No want same same work, I'm going back to my country
Why this get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost  repeat*3

Please share your views on this important topic, beacuse its up to you and me, bring about the change in the society in the future.

* P.S This is a caffiene triggered post, the writer is caffeine intolerant, thus I must apologize if I have offended anyone, no offense was intended, and the writer does not promote substance abuse of any kind not even caffeine!