Dhaka - Post Report Question and Answers
Morale among expats:
Generally good. People know what they're getting into before they come and can make light of some of the challenges (poverty, congestion, traffic, pollution, lack of infrastructure, bureaucracy). There are lots of silly events throughout the year (goat races, costume balls, parties at the marine house or the nordic club). Some people are defeated by Dhaka, but I just stay away to keep my own spirits high. - Aug 2013
Pretty good. - Apr 2013
Good, it's currently a nice group of people. Everyone pretty well knows what they've signed up for when they come to Bangladesh. - Aug 2011
Pretty high surprisingly, especially in the Embassy community. Although a rough place to live, we tend to stick together. - Jun 2011
High among families with young children - awful among everyone else. The U.S.Embassy - a "historically difficult to staff" post - tends to attract mid-level managers who are so terrible that they couldn't get a handshake anywhere else, and upper management, perhaps realizing this, doesn't do much to try to retrain them. - Feb 2011
Pretty good. People seem to be happy. - Jan 2011
Those who thrive on the club life, or have a very rewarding professional situation, or are able to get out of Dhaka into the countryside are happier than those who are not able to have these coping mechanisms. - Jan 2011
All over the map. Some families were very happy. Many across all spectrums found a nice niche for themselves in the expat community and formed nice groups of friends. For some, job stress and excessively long working hours overshadowed and diminished the ability to get out and enjoy the local culture. Others simply longed to be somewhere with more luxuries and options that are typically offered in the bigger cities in the region, such as movie theaters, shopping malls, good restaurants, more local travel options, etc. - Oct 2010
Families tend to have good morale due to a great school. Singles have a harder time - Apr 2010
It varies, but generally pretty high, including among the U.S. Embassy community. Dhaka can be tough, but people make the most of it. - Oct 2009
This completely depends on the person and (from my viewpoint) the office they work in. There are people who are deliriously happy here, while others would get on the next flight if they could. - Aug 2009
Varies, but on average I would say good. People generally try to make the best of it. - Mar 2009
Mixed. Some love it. Some are counting days until they leave. Still others are shut down, emotionally. - Nov 2008
Good. - Oct 2008
Good. - Mar 2008
Generally pretty good. - Feb 2008
