For the past six months in Abu Dhabi, I’ve repeatedly stumbled into the same misjudgment. No, it’s not about social faux pas or fashion blunders—at least, I hope not. Instead, my oversight has led to unintended consequences.
Let me explain. Earlier today, after selecting the ingredients for chicken soup at the grocery store, I ventured to the cleaning supplies aisle to grab some laundry detergent since we had run low on our stock. While we often hire out laundry services, we still do some ourselves at home. However, without a dryer, it can be quite challenging to hang everything on our small patio, especially considering how long Allan and I work. Thus, I was eager to clean our sheets and let them dry in the sun. Given that we’ve all been battling colds, chicken soup paired with fresh linens seemed like the perfect remedy.
I stood before the laundry products for quite some time, examining each option meticulously. Each bottle proclaimed “softener” alongside other Arabic descriptions. I pondered if all laundry detergent here was simply labeled as softener. It reminded me of the old saying, “You say tomato, I say tomatO.” Yet, I was puzzled by the baby images on the labels. Surely, adult clothes should feel just as soft and clean as those of infants. It seemed like clever marketing! After all, isn’t detergent just softener for grown-ups? Still, the overwhelming variety of scents left me yearning for a more neutral cleaner.
Realizing this was likely a cultural difference, I opted for one that claimed to be “eco-friendly for sensitive skin,” especially since we’d all been experiencing rashes since arriving. The bottle seemed similar to what I had purchased months prior—good enough!
With my selection in the cart, I felt a sense of accomplishment, blissfully unaware of the impending revelation. I even found myself humming as I envisioned the delicious soup and freshly laundered sheets. “I’m a perfect housewife today!” I thought. “No dryer? No problem! I’m nailing it!”
However, my moment of pride was short-lived. When I turned the corner to the next aisle, I was greeted by an array of recognizable laundry detergents like TIDE and ALL, neatly placed opposite the softeners. How had I missed this?
Suddenly, the realization struck me—I had been washing our clothes with fabric softener exclusively for six months! It made sense why we all sneezed upon opening the washing machine and why our skin felt itchy. I had been flooding the detergent compartment with that liquid instead of using it sparingly.
Moreover, excessive softener can actually make laundry feel stiffer. No wonder my socks felt like shoes!
Now, as I sit at home with soup simmering on the stove and laundry being done with actual detergent, I can’t help but wonder what else I may have misunderstood. It’s a bit alarming to think I might have misled other newcomers with my faulty assumption that all detergent was simply a variation of “softener.”
To all newcomers out there, beware of the softener aisle! Fear not, it’s just detergent by another name! While the scent may be strong, you can confidently fill your machine and keep your family clean.
Who knows what other discoveries await me next? Chicken soup anyone?
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Summary:
The author shares a humorous yet enlightening experience of navigating the grocery store in Abu Dhabi, particularly the confusion surrounding laundry products. After months of using fabric softener instead of detergent, she reflects on cultural differences and the importance of being informed as an expatriate. Her story serves as a gentle reminder to pay attention to local products and practices, offering both insight and humor for fellow newcomers.
Keyphrase: laundry confusion in the Middle East
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