For the past six months in Abu Dhabi, I’ve been making the same blunder over and over. And no, it’s not about cultural faux pas or fashion missteps—at least, I hope not! My misstep has led to a rather amusing realization.
Here’s the scoop: Earlier today, I was at the grocery store, gathering ingredients for some comforting chicken soup. After selecting my veggies, I made my way to the cleaning supplies aisle to grab laundry detergent since our stock had run out. We usually outsource a fair amount of laundry, but with Allan and me working long hours, we still tackle some tasks at home. Without a dryer, drying our laundry on our pint-sized patio is a bit of a challenge. With everyone in the family recovering from colds, clean sheets and chicken soup felt like the perfect remedy.
I stood in front of the laundry aisle, perplexed by what I saw. Every bottle labeled “softener” was accompanied by a string of Arabic words. Where was the detergent? Did I somehow misremember what I bought last time? Back in October, I likely just grabbed something without a second thought. But now, I was deep in thought.
Does all laundry detergent here go by the name of “softener”? It’s like saying “potato” while I’m thinking “Golden Russet.” Why, then, do all these bottles have adorable baby pictures? I guess in an ideal world, our adult clothes would be as soft and gentle as baby ones. Clever marketing! So, technically, is detergent just adult softener? But why all the fragrance options? Can’t a person find something unscented? Ah, this must be a cultural thing; people here love their scents and perfumes. So, I settled on the one that claimed to be “eco-friendly for sensitive skin,” hoping it would alleviate our recent skin rashes since arriving. It looked similar to what I bought months ago, so I thought I was in the clear.
I tossed my choice into the cart, still scratching my head but relieved to have found a suitable option. I then proceeded to the lunch box section, determined to pack healthier snacks for my son, Lucas, instead of letting him indulge in the canteen’s offerings. As I hummed, envisioning our scrumptious soup and fresh sheets, I felt like a domestic goddess. I was owning life in the UAE, dryer or not! I had cracked the laundry code without any guidance! Some might panic in such a situation, but I embraced the cultural confusion. I could teach a masterclass in cultural understanding.
Then, suddenly, I noticed something across from the lunch boxes—an entire shelf dedicated to laundry DETERGENT. You know, the big-name brands like TIDE and ALL, sitting right beside the softeners! Who would have thought?
In an instant, it struck me: for six months, we’d been washing our clothes exclusively with fabric softener! No wonder our sneezing fit was off the charts whenever we opened the washing machine! The itching? That was my fault for overstuffing the detergent compartment with that softener instead of using it sparingly. Oh, and did I mention that excess softener can actually make your laundry feel stiff? My socks have been like cardboard for months, and I kept wondering why!
Now, I’m back home with soup simmering and the washing machine filled with actual detergent. Yet, I can’t help but ponder what other mistakes I might have made during our time here. Or worse, what misconceptions I might have passed on to other expats. Beware, newcomers! The softener aisle might be misleading, but it’s actually detergent masquerading as something else! The scents might be a bit overwhelming, but fear not—just fill up that machine and keep your family fresh and clean!
What other little discoveries await me? Chicken soup, anyone?
For more insights on navigating parenting, check out our other blog posts.
Summary
This lighthearted account reflects the challenges and amusing misunderstandings that can arise while adapting to life in a new culture, particularly in the realm of household tasks. Through a simple trip to the grocery store, the author uncovers a laundry dilemma that leads to revelations about cultural differences in product labeling and usage. Despite the laughs, the narrative emphasizes the importance of embracing these little missteps along the way.