Need help from the women out there...

[lamericaine]

Hi there,

I was directed to this message board by a person at lonelyplanet.com and so far what I've read has been very helpful. The story - my company has asked me to go to Algiers for a time to help set up an overseas office. As an american woman, I have SO many questions regarding life in Algiers. Are there any women out there who have moved to Algeria for work? Are there any Algerian women reading who can tell me about the work situation for ladies in your country? What is life like outside work for a single woman? Are they allowed to go out alone for coffee or to go to the movies?

By surfing through the forum I have an idea how to dress, but - and this is the real question! - I wear my hair short. When I say short I mean like Annie Lennox. Is this going to be a problem in a big city like Algiers? I am concerned about attracting negative attention as a foreigner so if any of you ladies have tips on how to behave, dress, get along at work (or at the market), please speak up and help me out! I would like to try living in this country but I don't want to do anything offensive or stupid just walking off the plane...

Any advice is great. Merci!

[nedjma95]

Hello american girl , how are ya !

Well reading your message , I felt like a fear to go to algeria . I was there this fall , and it was great .
You dress normal , classic , jeans , decently, no mini or super mini dresses , but over all normal .
Your hair is definitely not a problem , you can wear your hair short or any way you like , as long as it is not a real mohawk .
As a single woman you should be ok , you can go to a lot of places by your self , as long as you dont go out by your self at midnight , plus I'm sure you will meet people there that will guide , and help you while there .
Dont worry , it will be fine and you will love it , especially the beaches , the city .
And people are nice .

But just be your self , and careful , dont just jump into any situation without thinking it over . if you are in Algiers dont flash real gold jewellery , and no cell phone in the streets .
Hope this will help , good luck .

[Sminette]

Hi L'americaine!
Algiers is a relatively big city and I am sure you will bump into people from all over the world..
There is no particular dress code. Whenever I go home, I dress in jeans n tops, long skirts and tops and that's about it. I could dress in mini skirt if I wanted to but that will just attract attention from the guys and I will be considered as a "loose" woman which I am not.. I was never keen on short skirts anyway..
As for jewllery, handabag, mobile phone etc...you have to be careful as there are a few pick pockets operating in markets mainly..and on the streets in general..( This applies to towns and cities all over the world)..
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

All the best and enjoy your stay!

[lamericaine]

Ooo, two replies already - thank you!

nedjma95: I'm not afraid of Algeria so much as being an ugly American in Algeria! We have a lot of bad publicity going on nowadays so it's important that I do not add to that...so yes, my nerves are a little rattled. But not by your country, only mine!
Glad to hear I can wear jeans in public. They're too comfortable to sacrifice, no? I don't typically go out alone at night here at home, unless it's to meet up with friends. I suppose the same common sense rules apply there. Also I will keep in mind what you've said about not flashing my wealth (ha!) around. But tell me, what parts of the city are most dangerous?

Sminette: Thank you for letting me know there are other expats in Algiers. From what I understand the war ended only recently so I was worried that there would be very few foreigners and that we would be targets. Not that I only want to hang out with them - it'd be nice to make friends with locals who can show me the heart of the country. But still...I'm sure there will be moments when homesickness strikes and I want to speak English with someone.
As I'm over 30 mini-skirts are out for me too! But what is the story on long skirts? How long is long? Here a lot of ladies dont wear them below the knee, even older ladies. Most of mine hit right at the knee or just below. Is this acceptable for a young-ish woman? And what about pantyhose (the dreadful things are required here at work, ugh)? Are Algerian women keen on them or are they too sexy for daytime?

And since you said I could ask any question - how and when do I interact with men in DZ? I will be working in a small group of Algerians. This trip is a professional endeavor, and it would embarrass me no end to do something that might be seen as vulgar or risque.
I can already tell that there's a slight divide between men and women, but does it also exist at work? Here in the states we ignore gender for the most part, but it's bound to be different there.

You girls are great for helping me out this way...thank you again.

[Sminette]

As far as skirts are concerned, I see women back home with skirts right at the knee level, just below the knee and also right till the ankle!

Most offices have a relaxed dress code, apart from Banks. Otherwise it's dress down day every day .. I love it!

You'll see all sorts of Algerian women from extremely sexy to extremely covered!

I'd say Algerian men are quite friendly and easy going. There are of course the exception of those who are a bit religious and would rather keep a distance from women ..you can spot those by their beards I'd say ...I might be wrong ..I've got a neighbour who has a beard but he's a joker ..!! so you can't really tell!

I wish I could take you for a tour in Algeria but unfortunately I'm currently in London!! ...

[Sminette]

Hi L! I forgot to mention that the nature of the job practiced in Algeria might play an important part as to how secure a foreigner would be..

So let's say if you will be working for "medecins sans frontieres" or as a teacher etc ..then there is definitely no risk whatsoever.

However certain other jobs might be seen as a "threat" from extremist or even terrorist groups and therefore a risk for one's safety in Algeria. Hope this helps...if you want to develop talking about the safety aspect then feel free to send me a pm.

[nouha]

Hi there,
Are there any women out there who have moved to Algeria for work? Are there any Algerian women reading who can tell me about the work situation for ladies in your country? What is life like outside work for a single woman? Are they allowed to go out alone for coffee or to go to the movies?

theres all sorts of jobs a women can have.. doctors, lawyers, judges, police women, dentists, sales women, lab technician, business women, waitresses, beauticians, tailoring, govt positions, etc... i have aunts in algeria who are doctors, judges, etc.. so dont ever think u cant work because ur a woman in Algeria.... you cant assume that the work situation is the same everywhere u go... some places are better than others.. and we see that even in America...some places may be sexist some arent... show that u have confidence in yourself and that no one can step over you...

life outside of algeria is how u make it to be... if u find good friends, im sure they will be very happy to show u around the city of Algeirs (there is soooo much to see !!) as a single women, its not recommended that u go out late at night by urself but u can still have fun with the night life visiting places like Sidi Fridj, coffee shops, beaches, etc... some coffee shops are only for men but there are some that include women too... try the ones in Hydra.. they are very nice and so is the shopping!!!

I wear my hair short. When I say short I mean like Annie Lennox. Is this going to be a problem in a big city like Algiers? I am concerned about attracting negative attention as a foreigner so if any of you ladies have tips on how to behave, dress, get along at work (or at the market), please speak up and help me out!

it doesnt matter how u wear ur hair, short, long, straight, curly, done up, done down... but like someone said.. avoid mohawks lol....

dress... honestly whatever u want... just avoid really mini skirts, skirts to the knee or right above and right below are acceptable.. so are knee highs and pantyhose... try not to wear something that shows too much cleavage.. leave that for the beach lol... do NOT wear gold jewlrey whatsoever, and when outside keep your cell phone ringer on off and hidden away from public view...

deal with men in a professional sense until u feel like u can deal with them as good friends by jowking and laffing with them... do avoid sexual talks or jowks.

when r u planning on going to algeria?

i have cousins in algeirs who have met different ppl from around the world there and helped them adjust to life there... if u would like, i can give my cousin (female) ur email address and maybe she can help u out

take cares
salaams
nouha