justarrived--I think we agree. The whole thing is driven by market forces, and the willingness/ability of Westerners to turn down low offers.

For the record, my salary does not come from a Qatari company or government, which is true of many Western expats who are sent by their companies, firms and governments.

Darkknightrises--I agree with your philosophy. But I would find it quite reasonable for someone to ask whether or not $25,000 a month would be enough maintain a particular lifestyle in line with what they experience at home and still allow savings. For me, being here on that would be a significant downgrade in lifestyle due to the high cost of living and not worth the move (although in terms of actual salary it would be on a par with typical year's earnings in my home country). Yet a bunch of jealous haters would immediately get online and start heckling. If they don't have anything meaningful to say, then leave the thread for people who can answer it.

I don't troll around on threads making fun of the Asian guy who asks if $2,000 is enough to support himself and still send money home. Nor do I post unhelpful and abusive comments to the guy who can't leave the country because his employer kept his passport and won't pay him the $1,000 he is owed. It's not my world, and so I leave it to QLers who share a similar situation to respond with helpful advice.