Reality behind Dubai's gilded exterior
Ok a serious one, but a good article in The Times about life and work in Dubai.
(, Mon 20 Jul 2009, 8:33, Reply)
Bang on.
Usually such articles have a ‘but never mind’ / ‘oh well’ attitude.
It's good to read an article where the author’s distaste of the place really seeps out from every word and from between every line.
This is worth a read also: www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/the-dark-side-of-dubai-1664368.html
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zacherynuk @echo off, Mon 20 Jul 2009, 9:19,
Reply)
There're too many words!
Most of the b3tards on here, just won't understand it! ;)
But joking apart, this is just one persons (bad) experience of that city.
I could have written the same article about, London, New York or Koh Tao.
I've been to Dubai (on business) many times, and I've had some great experiences.
Just because it's written in 'The Times' it does mean it's true...
(
Darklord, Mon 20 Jul 2009, 9:22,
Reply)
I know
I've had friends who've spent holidays in Dubai, visting relatives who work there, and reported positively about the place. Nonetheless the article matches my innate prejudice about Dubai, so for me it is therefore a good article. It is well written, even if you don't agree with the sentiments.
I guess every city/country has examples of double standards, and with expats pretty much everywhere there is always a percentage who act appallingly, but it seems more extreme in Dubai.
(, Mon 20 Jul 2009, 10:02, Reply)
From the first line, it seems The Times put him up in a shit hotel
and that set his tone for the rest of the article. I didn't even know Dubai had bad hotels, rotana group hotels are nice and radissons always good.
chips on shoulders etc.
(, Mon 20 Jul 2009, 10:19, Reply)
maybe not Koh Tao
But the point I was making is - If you dig deep enough, you'll find shit anywhere.
This journalist seems to have not been looked after like he/she felt like they should have.
He/she should change their name to 'Prima Donna'
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Darklord, Mon 20 Jul 2009, 11:05,
Reply)
...
Spimf, who's a QotW regular, has a blog detailing his attempts to get out of Dubai: there's a link in his profile.
It sounds like a truly horrible place.
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Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 20 Jul 2009, 10:07,
Reply)
of course Dubai isn't just made of dreams
and being so close to india, of course people from poorer backgrounds are going to be there.
But Dubai is what you make of it. I've been three times in the last 6 or 7 months and always loved it.
So many things are cheap, sea kayaking, desert safaris etc.
It's bold to say how the westerners are ruining a city, whereby without them they wouldn't have anything. Try doing business over there. Call an indian company to buy something so simple as a router, and see 10 indian guys turn up trying to sell you everything under the sun.
The westerners do well out in dubai because they have good business sense. They work well, work hard and do a professional job. I've tried doing business with the indians and arabs, and they won't even consider any business unless you offer a bribe. They are corrupt as you like!
All this about disprecting our women etc blah blah. Tell that to the rulers who have guest houses for all their mistresses.
All in all, people will always find something to moan about, but if you make an effort Dubai is absolutely amazing and one hell of an experience.
(, Mon 20 Jul 2009, 10:11, Reply)