Sometimes I wonder whether it wouldn't be easier to tell people that I'm a bank clerk. It seems to be a non-threatening occupation with the least potential risk of unsettling a crowd. Disclosing that I am a journalist, however, can often have quite the opposite effect.
Of course this very much depends on the situation - and in a relaxed social setting, being a journalist is possibly one of the best ice-breaking, conversation starters there is. However, at formal dinners, wedding ceremonies and even on the Metro - basically anywhere I might unsuspectingly be sat next to a potential interviewee - it can cause a little bristling.
Eyebrows rise, mouths close to a forced smile, prolonged staring and nodding often follow. There's somehow the assumption that journalists are always in "breaking news" mode and can't have conversations without computing the information, formulating paragraphs and creating headlines. Off the record means just that and any journalist worth their salt knows the difference between an exclusive interview and entrapment, but that's not necessarily the public perception.
I found the "recoil effect" at its most pronounced while reporting business news and often witnessed high-ranking executives in airport lounges hiding behind newspapers, averting their gaze or walking briskly in the opposite direction upon our chance encounter. A girl could take it personally, but instead I took it as a compliment. And in fact, the chief executives needn't have worried, for even the keenest news hounds need to take a holiday occasionally without the excess baggage of recording equipment.
On the flip side of those going to great lengths to avoid having potentially incriminating conversations with me, there are those who try to engage me in "hack bashing". Believe it or not, some individuals love to hate journalists and, occasionally, I'm forced to listen to rants about how irresponsible, inaccurate and dastardly the industry really is. Thankfully, this only happens from time to time but when it does, it serves to remind me that reporters are so often tarred with the same untrustworthy brush.
I can only presume that people's unpredictable reaction to my job is something dentists must experience every time they reveal their identity to a stranger. Indeed, I'm guilty of it myself and upon recently meeting one at a dinner party, I instantly toned down my toothy grin and popped a mint in my mouth for good measure. From plastic surgeons to police officers and psychiatrists, I'm sure there are hundreds of professions that trigger people's self-conscious, mildly paranoid behaviour. Frankly, it's a comfort to know I'm not alone and ensures I won't be applying for a job at ADCB just yet.
rduane@thenational.ae
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
Results
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TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
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Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
The specs
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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The specs
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Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
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