Comments on: Amir Saffar is not “indian or paki” http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html Flip Media is the largest interactive agency in the Middle East with offices in Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar (Middle East), Bombay, Trivandrum (India), Leipzig (Germany), London (UK) and Cape Town (South Africa) providing online advertising, website design, streaming broadband video, ad server tracking, digital marketing, online advertising, online media buying and interactive campaigns. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:33:52 +0000 http://flipcorp.com/cms/?v=3.1 by: MARTace http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-6258 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 01:05:41 +0000 http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-6258 interesting ........ but just wonder if the asian worker and european/western worker are paid the same???? $2000-$3000 (for same skills ~ except english) and $2000 per month is not much i think for web designer skills........ i've heard that asian are paid less than european/westerner worker at the same skills last month company at dubai ask me to work there as interior designer for $1200 per month.... (i'm an asian) so sad...... but i wonder if i am a european/westerner... are they going to offer me the same amount (with my CAD, photoshop, 3DMAX skills??????) mmmmmmm think not......... so sad..... that these things are really happen.......... interesting ……..

but just wonder if the asian worker and european/western worker are paid the same???? $2000-$3000 (for same skills ~ except english)

and $2000 per month is not much i think for web designer skills……..

i’ve heard that asian are paid less than european/westerner worker at the same skills

last month company at dubai ask me to work there as interior designer for $1200 per month…. (i’m an asian)

so sad……

but i wonder if i am a european/westerner… are they going to offer me the same amount (with my CAD, photoshop, 3DMAX skills??????)

mmmmmmm think not………

so sad….. that these things are really happen……….

]]> by: Vik Rajagopalan http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-6056 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 06:24:57 +0000 http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-6056 Very interesting write up and I wonder if the guy - Amir was retarded to have on the offense for no reason and I guess he is done for. But this does not really mean such a bigot thought for an Indian is one off. Thanks to the marketing strategies, inspite off true MNC's coming inshore to India to have their offices set up to beat prices, the word "Cheap labor" is interestingly attached. And that is where people like Amir are going to keep poking and living on the scabs and re-iterating that "Indians are cheap laborers". I wonder if this attitude would change at all. Very interesting write up and I wonder if the guy - Amir was retarded to have on the offense for no reason and I guess he is done for. But this does not really mean such a bigot thought for an Indian is one off. Thanks to the marketing strategies, inspite off true MNC’s coming inshore to India to have their offices set up to beat prices, the word “Cheap labor” is interestingly attached. And that is where people like Amir are going to keep poking and living on the scabs and re-iterating that “Indians are cheap laborers”.

I wonder if this attitude would change at all.

]]> by: Mohammad http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-6037 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:33:35 +0000 http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-6037 To play the devil's advocate, I will also say that modern advertising/design, being a field that so heavily relies on cultural and artistic intelligence of the West ( art history, typography, history of graphic design, Bauhaus, etc. ) as well as the necessary experience in an industry/economy shaped by that very Western culture seems to have at least some right in placing the employee's culture ( not race, religion ) as a factor of performance. A designer, after all, uses the cultural visual language as the main toolkit for creative work, in my view. What do you think? thanks, Mohammad To play the devil’s advocate, I will also say that modern advertising/design, being a field that so heavily relies on cultural and artistic intelligence of the West ( art history, typography, history of graphic design, Bauhaus, etc. ) as well as the necessary experience in an industry/economy shaped by that very Western culture seems to have at least some right in placing the employee’s culture ( not race, religion ) as a factor of performance. A designer, after all, uses the cultural visual language as the main toolkit for creative work, in my view.

What do you think?

thanks,
Mohammad

]]> by: Mohammad http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-6036 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:09:26 +0000 http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-6036 Hi everyone. Sorry for joining so late into the discussion. People like Amir believe that nationality is an important aspect of one's professional performance and individual worth. It is a wrong belief, one that is immoral and illegal in the West, but a belief that is promoted in Dubai. Thats why I am surprised that Westerners working in Dubai who have been brought up on these beautiful ideals do not speak out against such obvious racism towards their fellow collegues. If anyone, it is probably them who are in a position to somehow change things. Question is, does anyone really want to? Thanks, Mohammad Hi everyone. Sorry for joining so late into the discussion. People like Amir believe that nationality is an important aspect of one’s professional performance and individual worth. It is a wrong belief, one that is immoral and illegal in the West, but a belief that is promoted in Dubai.

Thats why I am surprised that Westerners working in Dubai who have been brought up on these beautiful ideals do not speak out against such obvious racism towards their fellow collegues. If anyone, it is probably them who are in a position to somehow change things. Question is, does anyone really want to?

Thanks,

Mohammad

]]> by: Jules http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5849 Wed, 30 May 2007 06:52:10 +0000 http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5849 I read this last year and it is doing the rounds again, classic piece of banter and Mikes responses first class. Where is Saffar now, anyone know what company is unfortunate enough to be employing this A1 numpty mentally challenged shit wit. I read this last year and it is doing the rounds again, classic piece of banter and Mikes responses first class. Where is Saffar now, anyone know what company is unfortunate enough to be employing this A1 numpty mentally challenged shit wit.

]]> by: Riaz http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5842 Tue, 29 May 2007 10:57:15 +0000 http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5842 Its True,in the UAE you are paid by the colour.Even the appointment pages very clearly state that "only UK/USA/SAF and native english speakers need apply". The fact of the matter is that Asians (Indians, Filiponos, etc) have better knowledge of written and spoken Engliah (As english should be spoken), Work much harder then the whites but still gets paid only half or less. The biggest problem with Asians is that they do not know how to Finally Wrap the Pack which is done convincingly by the white. Its True,in the UAE you are paid by the colour.Even the appointment pages very clearly state that “only UK/USA/SAF and native english speakers need apply”. The fact of the matter is that Asians (Indians, Filiponos, etc) have better knowledge of written and spoken Engliah (As english should be spoken), Work much harder then the whites but still gets paid only half or less. The biggest problem with Asians is that they do not know how to Finally Wrap the Pack which is done convincingly by the white.

]]> by: Kit Ruzicka http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5821 Thu, 24 May 2007 20:17:46 +0000 http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5821 Thanks for posting this. I'd hope any half wit professional applying for a job would know better etiquette. It's a nice reminder of how any instances of miscommunication should be handled with tact. Obviously, Amir thought he was being insulted by the lack of response from the e-mail that never got sent. Of course, after realizing this he would have been smart to be more respectful. Thanks for posting this. I’d hope any half wit professional applying for a job would know better etiquette. It’s a nice reminder of how any instances of miscommunication should be handled with tact. Obviously, Amir thought he was being insulted by the lack of response from the e-mail that never got sent. Of course, after realizing this he would have been smart to be more respectful.

]]> by: Vijesh Rajan http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5802 Sun, 20 May 2007 11:41:13 +0000 http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5802 As much as I hated Amir Saffar's biggot-faced tone and his overall lack of respect or even a sense of humour for that matter, I'm a 24 year old Indian working for a very well-known advertising agency, tied up with an international name. And people managing this very 'reputed' agency have embarked on the same train of thought a long time ago. It's all just a really messed up mentality. I've actually been told - "Yes, we know you put in late nights and weekends and public holidays - but that's only because you're an Indian - your white counterparts get paid more and have to work less because they're white." To make matters worse, the company isn't even doing that well. So they're letting people go. I was actually called into the HR manager's room - and get this - he's a fellow Indian. And this is what he has to say to me - "I'm sorry, boy. They're cutting back expenses and so they're letting people go - and you're not white. So you're on the list." Well I'll be damned. What should I do, now? Apologise for being Indian and go Michael Jackson on Middle Eastern advertising agencies? As much as I hated Amir Saffar’s biggot-faced tone and his overall lack of respect or even a sense of humour for that matter, I’m a 24 year old Indian working for a very well-known advertising agency, tied up with an international name.

And people managing this very ‘reputed’ agency have embarked on the same train of thought a long time ago. It’s all just a really messed up mentality. I’ve actually been told - “Yes, we know you put in late nights and weekends and public holidays - but that’s only because you’re an Indian - your white counterparts get paid more and have to work less because they’re white.”

To make matters worse, the company isn’t even doing that well. So they’re letting people go. I was actually called into the HR manager’s room - and get this - he’s a fellow Indian. And this is what he has to say to me - “I’m sorry, boy. They’re cutting back expenses and so they’re letting people go - and you’re not white. So you’re on the list.”

Well I’ll be damned. What should I do, now? Apologise for being Indian and go Michael Jackson on Middle Eastern advertising agencies?

]]> by: Nikalank Jain http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5800 Sun, 20 May 2007 07:23:45 +0000 http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5800 One of the most difficult things I have had to deal with is discrimination in this part of he world... Its tragic that such episodes are now amusing. It just goes to show how much they have sunk in that its humour now. I have met recruiters here who are the same nationality as me and have told me that I should expect a certain amount in comparison to the "whites", "arabs" and "locals." I have been told by my previous employers that "Its not fair, but its the way here." If the ones in recruitment and HR have mindsets and attitudes like the ones I have mentioned, such blogs will be floating around for a while. Good job Mike. I appreciate your responses. I do pray that all the "Amir Saffar"s of da world land up in hell on earth. Cheers. One of the most difficult things I have had to deal with is discrimination in this part of he world… Its tragic that such episodes are now amusing. It just goes to show how much they have sunk in that its humour now.

I have met recruiters here who are the same nationality as me and have told me that I should expect a certain amount in comparison to the “whites”, “arabs” and “locals.” I have been told by my previous employers that “Its not fair, but its the way here.”

If the ones in recruitment and HR have mindsets and attitudes like the ones I have mentioned, such blogs will be floating around for a while.

Good job Mike. I appreciate your responses. I do pray that all the “Amir Saffar”s of da world land up in hell on earth.

Cheers.

]]> by: Mamta http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5779 Tue, 15 May 2007 12:03:42 +0000 http://www.flipcorp.com/en/read/blog/other/amir-saffar-and-north55.html#comment-5779 what an absolute JERK!! Such people do exist, am glad this fellow got exposed!! what an absolute JERK!! Such people do exist, am glad this fellow got exposed!!

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