UAE Community Blog: So whats make dubai so special?

17 November, 2006

So whats make dubai so special?

Just started another discussion...Any interesting answers to that question can be posted on my blog :-)

http://localexpatriate.blogspot.com/

36 comments:

Anonymous said...: So why can't it be posted here?; 17 November, 2006 20:53
Anonymous said...: nothing,really; 17 November, 2006 21:25
Rejected said...: The contrdiction their society provides!; 17 November, 2006 21:36
B.D. said...: It's a real city! Very subjective comment, I know, but to me that is what it is.; 17 November, 2006 22:05
B.D. said...: ^^^ Want to understand better what I mean, see this post!; 17 November, 2006 22:08
Anonymous said...: WILL ALL OF YOU PLEASE STOP COMPARING DUBAI WITH ANY TOP CITY. PLEASE COMPARE APPLES WITH APPLES YA DUMBIT MORONS> Y DO U FCUKING MONKEYS GET A HARD ON WHEN U SEE A SKYSCRAPER ON SZR????; 18 November, 2006 00:52
Anonymous said...: "the level of personal safety is pretty much unprecedented for a city of such a size" gulf perl ur high on dope or what? what size dubai is smaller than a colony of bombay or islamabad.... n with dat u have shootings in burj-al-arab,rapes, suicides and a very high frustration level. go get a life if things do not make it to the newspaper it doesn't mean they r not happening; 18 November, 2006 01:01
secretdubai said...: Blessing - just email me and I will send you an invite so you can post.; 18 November, 2006 04:27
B.D. said...: Anonymous, say what you will about apples and oranges. Dubai gets more international passenger arrivals already than all of Japan--sure, some are workers, some are transit passengers, but that's good enough for me to start comparing. The multi-lingual, multi-ethnic population is something I'll gladly compare with New York's or any major European city. This small city has as many different nationalities as any larger city on the globe.; 18 November, 2006 06:58
Anonymous said...: this place can never have a civilized intellectual discussion.. and they ask why is the frustration level high or why are there any MONKEYS living in an APPLE instead of an ORANGE !; 18 November, 2006 11:41
archer14 said...: ....or the fact that dubai's losing it's 'isss-pay-shultee' at an alarming rate.

@bd
NYC vs. dubai?...where do we begin!

@A Blessing in Tragedy
Would you gimme a link to the torrent if there are any? Which channel does it air on btw?; 18 November, 2006 13:44
Anonymous said...: BD: there's nothing wrong with comparing--indeed it's good--if you are quite clear about what exactly you're comparing. That, I think, is what the anonymous monkey was referring to when he mentioned apples and oranges. It's very puzzling how fast people in these discussions lose track of the original issue. On the subject of comparison, Gulf Pearl's original statement was:

"... - just compare Dubai with London or another European city and you will discover that it's not actually so expensive."

This comparison relates to living costs, and is evidently a direct comparison. However, such a comparison is totally meaningless if typical clerical level, and working class/labour class (the mass of the workforce) income levels are not also compared, with the same cities.

For example, would a typical clerical level worker in London be able to afford a fairly modest 2-bedroom house, send 2 kids to a fairly acceptable school, feed and clothe his family reasonably well, drive a reasonably nice car, pay health costs for family, afford to pay his taxes and take in some entertainment as well, and still have a bit left over? Based on the answer, a comparison will have to be made with a typical clerical level worker in Dubai, and conclusions drawn.

Unfortunately, in these forums, comparisons are usually quite one-sided, with statements like these appearing often:

"Dubai is far less expensive than Helsinki!"

And:

"Labourers here draw far higher wages than they do in Thrippunithura!"

In this case, Helsinki is an apple, Thrippunithura is an orange.; 18 November, 2006 13:47
Mohammed UK said...: Thrippunithura?

Is that where the average wage is equivalent to 0.03 GBP?; 18 November, 2006 14:01
archer14 said...: @mathman
LOL, Thrippunithura...are you a mallu?
Well said, I knew someone had to educate and re-educate the literate. It's not gonna be me, I'm tired dammit.; 18 November, 2006 14:13
Seabee said...: Guys, can I remind you of the question. It was: "What makes Dubai so special."

I'd say many things, among which are:
*the weather
*the mix of nationalities
*the low cost of most things (except rent of course)
*the huge choice of excellent eating places in a small area
*the beaches
*the relaxed atmosphere (except on the roads
*its location between major centres in the west & east
*its business culture
And of course over the last five years, its development on a scale the world has never seen.; 18 November, 2006 16:52
Anonymous said...: ha ha judge arguments on personal level now sweety, cuz for the amount of money dubai skims from our pockets the services are nata.. no gooddd ok; 18 November, 2006 23:31
Anonymous said...: Anon 23:31 - assuming you currently reside in Dubai, surely there must be something which attracts you to the UAE that you choose to live here?

As for me (and this is a cross post from the UAE Chrinicles) - the sentiment as such, I miss MOST about Dubai is working at the Dubai WTC. As an infant, I recall sometime in 79/80, during a raodtrip to AUH, as we passed the WTC, my dad pointed out and said - "that's where successful people work". Back then it stood all by itself, so majestically in the sand dunes. Since then WTC has always been an inspiration - and I remember when I landed my first job, right out of university with a firm based at WTC, it was such a high. Even though most folks at work complained about parking, the elevators, the lack of restaurants etc - I loved going to work at the WTC. Don't know why, I haven't felt that level of "high" since?

Slightly more, I miss my imperfect, but warm & lovely home sweet home - Al Sharjah :) After 5 yrs in NYC, I miss the more humane aspect of UAE - I miss the safe, clean & peaceful neighborhoods. The call for prayers (even the ones on TV). I miss the desert, the drives to Fujairah or Hatta/Dibba. The timeless mountains. I miss the old Dubai i.e. the one we had 8-10 years ago. I miss, the fish market, Buhaira corniche, the Ajman beach, Arabic speaking souls, the 50 fils teas - just about everything - damn?

ps: I love NYC, if there is a second home, souls like I can "fit" in - it's NYC.; 19 November, 2006 05:39
B.D. said...: Great perspective Blogrosh: NYC & Dubai.

Even though most folks at work complained about parking, the elevators, the lack of restaurants etc - I loved going to work at the WTC.

I can really relate to this. There are always people around simply complaining about every manner of thing, but to some, the UAE, Dubai, the WTC... has some ethereal quality that makes it special for them.

I can't put my finger on that ethereal quality in Dubai myself, but I felt it when I first visited the city in 2000 and I still feel it today. It was a kind of dynamism, a kind Wild-Westism... the city just seemed real and alive, especially compared to Abu Dhabi which felt segmented, disjointed and dare I say, backwaterish.

And NYC, by the way, also seems to have that kind of ethereal vibe. As an American visiting NYC it is the most un-American of places. It has a vibe, a feel a nationality all to itself.; 19 November, 2006 07:40
Anonymous said...: Perhaps people would complain less if they didn't have it rammed down their throats by the PR machine (and of course a view ruthlessly enforced)just how perfect Dubai is when those who live here know that it is (like any place) far from perfect.

Perhaps if the powers that be pretended to care about 'guest workers', or admitted the place had flaws (unless Shk Mo does so first) or just stopped telling us how great Dubai is then people may enjoy it more.; 19 November, 2006 09:45
Anonymous said...: i tend to agree with what anon said.; 19 November, 2006 12:22
trailingspouse said...: I think it's also because Dubai is changing so much and so fast. I was reminiscing with friends the other day about how different it was in the "old days" and then realized I was only talking about five years ago!; 19 November, 2006 15:50
Anonymous said...: "Perhaps people would complain less if they didn't have it rammed down their throats by the PR machine (and of course a view ruthlessly enforced)just how perfect Dubai is"

Yeah that's true - I mean, prior to living here in NYC and for the past 5 years, it's been rammed into my head day in day out - "welcome to the big apple", yet I can't seem find a decent apple, let alone a large one!

sorry anon (as silly as my comparison reads) am just trying to make you see a point -"don't believe everything you hear". The PR firms are doing their job, sometime twisting facts 180 degress.

BD- thank you for your comments.; 20 November, 2006 04:59
Anonymous said...: but is dubai THE place to be?; 20 November, 2006 08:26
Anonymous said...: it is? how so?; 20 November, 2006 09:52
Anonymous said...: Unfortunately blogrosh - your comparison is silly. The key aspect is that we are told life is amazing, and the media is not allowed to disagree.

In the West, if you care to pick up the NYT, you can see that the press is free to disagree with the government view that life is great if they want to.

In some ways life in Dubai is great, in some ways it sucks (like life in any city). What annoys people is that we know it is this way but aren't allowed to say so in public.

But if you're looking for the big apple. It's in Greenwich Village. In a little coffee shop. I show you it when I go to NYC in Jan :); 20 November, 2006 13:39
LocalExpat said...: OKAY STOP RIGHT THERE... now i am one of the most critical person when it comes to issues relating to dubai . BUT for once I was trying to be positive and discuss what make dubai so special but instead most you idiots start going on about what is wrong with it again... we all know and agree that is has issues and you have every right vent out your criticisms( just like i do) BUT this is about WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT DUBAI!!

so stick to that please...; 20 November, 2006 16:49
Anonymous said...: DO u know whats good about me!!!!!!!!!!!!!; 20 November, 2006 17:15
Anonymous said...: "The key aspect is that we are told life is amazing, and the media is not allowed to disagree" "What annoys people is that we know it is this way but aren't allowed to say so in public."

True, the UAE media perhaps may not be allowed to disagree, however, there are several World wide media outlets (NYT being one), and Human Rights watch groups, who often say it like it is.

Moreover, I think, no matter how many media outlets there is - you can't get the true picture, unless you've moved & lived in a city like NYC or Dubai.

But coming back to the point of this blog - what IS it that you like about UAE or Dubai, surely there must be something - please name one : ); 20 November, 2006 21:16
Anonymous said...: sabrina sabich; 20 November, 2006 23:26
B.D. said...: I don't agree with the notion that the press or anyone else is unable to be critical. The local newspapers are full of crime incidents and do report on the various issues we discuss here--like labor, traffic, rising cost of living, etc. I often prefer to skip the Nation pages in the Gulf News to avoid all the depressing reports. Yes, there are a few things people and the press are guarded about discussing, but by and large Dubai and the UAE are wide open for criticism locally.

One more thing I like about Dubai--it dares to dream!; 21 November, 2006 11:22
Anonymous said...: hmm; 21 November, 2006 12:32
Anonymous said...: I like the large sums of income tax free money I get paid. That is after all why most of us are here.; 21 November, 2006 14:03
Anonymous said...: Don't you? Is that why you are anonymous?

In fact that's what makes Dubai special.

Restaurant staff whose large tax-free salaries amount to Dhs. 600 a month.

Cleaning company staff whose large tax-free salaries amount to Dhs 400 a month with 12 hour working days.

Construction labourers whose large tax-free salaries amount to Dhs 800 a month.

Oh, I forgot. Only General Managers' views are sought at this site. So....what's special about Dubai, guys?; 21 November, 2006 14:48
B.D. said...: ^^^Great response!; 21 November, 2006 17:10
rosh said...: "One more thing I like about Dubai--it dares to dream!"

Nice one BD - true that ;); 21 November, 2006 19:09
Zhanna said...: What makes Dubai so special???
The city of dream!!It is the first idea, which comes in my mind, when I begin to think about this magic city, it is the city of the future.
I have never been in Dubai, but looking at city's pictures, only one wish is appearing- to visit Dubai anyway.
I am really fascinating of beauty of Dubai property.
Just look at the masterpieces such as Burj Dubai,World and Palm Islands, Dubailand how wonderful they are.; 26 November, 2007 15:22