When we first settled in the UAE, I had the strange feeling that I’d stepped onto the set of a new reality TV series. The really scary part was that I was both a central character and head of publicity! This was no nine to nine desk job; it was more like an ongoing Broadway production – with no dress rehearsal. A few years on, I’ve realized that these crazy ideas weren’t that far from reality.
The image of expat life portrayed on social network pages has a touch of glamour and adventure. Just after summer vacation or a Yasalam weekend, some of our profiles start to resemble a scene from ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’. Obviously we all know we’re not celebrities, but it could cause confusion for some late night facebook users. We’re not trying to fool anyone intentionally, but we do still put on a good show. Facebook gives us each a type of virtual stage; a blank screen where we can release selected scenes from real life to people in the ‘audience’, aka our ‘Friends’ list (and a few unknowns if our security settings permit). In turn, we gain admission to their ‘theatre of life’. And so, although we might be thousands of miles apart, everyone lives happily ever after, right? Well, eventually. Remember, communicating online takes practice and, like all relationships, “It’s complicated.”
Arriving in Abu Dhabi International Airport five years ago, I still remember the shock I felt the moment we stepped outside and the intense summer heat assaulted us. The exotic new foods and aromas, the unfamiliar colours of desert and ocean are experiences we instinctively want to share with friends and family we left behind. I can’t help blushing when I remember my initial excitement at finally being connected online. Photos were uploaded, statuses updated, with the frequency and zeal of a CNN news anchor reporting live from Time Square on New Years Eve… “The temperature 48 degrees Celsius. Unbearable!” I felt compelled to document each amazing moment: A batch of cookies burnt, my first trip to Marina Mall, the joy of finding marmite at Spinney’s…
Isn’t it funny how a single object seems to change shape, when you look it from another angle? Just imagine that unassuming soul who logs onto Facebook from a cold and rainy corner of the globe. They scan their homepage for any life-changing quotes or an old school photograph they can tag. Scrolling a little further they see our familiar faces (yet again!) smiling widely from a packed Yas Arena, as Paul McCartney sings in the background. The friend involuntarily grips the mouse tighter. Below the photo, a line from the chorus is posted in the comment box: “Na…nananana…” Scrolling on hurriedly the friend sees an album uploaded with the title in capital letters: ‘BEST TRIP EVA!” Mocktails on the beach in Phuket… amaaaaazing! It sounded familiar, like something from the cover of People magazine.
With all the drama and excitement of life, plus all the responsibilities of chief publisher, it’s not surprising that I took a couple of years to see the disconcerting truth. I had been looking through a string of glorious vacation photos and posts by fellow expats, when I had a minor epiphany. As much fun as expat life was for some of us, there were others who might not share our enthusiasm. But life in ‘the desert’ still held plenty of thrills and this girl was not ready to quit the show. Perhaps a smaller stage, fewer spotlights, more authentic characterization…Suddenly I thought of a perfect status update. Unlocking my smart phone, I typed, clicked to ‘post’ and watched as the words uploaded: “Wise Will Shakespeare said, ‘All the world’s a stage…’
But he could have warned us that our parts were unrehearsed!”
by Angelique Goldsworthy
