09 July, 2008

A bad position to be in

The Telegraph:
The 30-year-old is thought to have been charged with having sex outside marriage - considered an offence in Dubai - as well as indecent behaviour in public, being drunk in public, and assaulting a police officer.
...
When the pair were allegedly found having sex by a policeman, he is said to have let them off with a caution. However, later, after the couple were discovered in the same position, they were arrested, and Miss Palmer is said to have become aggressive.
Kipp Report has many more details.

88 comments:

Susan said...

I don't feel bad for this woman. She had a chance to walk away from this with that first warning. It's just an example of expats who get too comfortable living in Dubai; forgetting that the liberal nature of that emirate is really only superficial.

John B. Chilton said...

Nor do I.

She's talking to The Sun. In the end I think she's going to come out on top, with an extra pound or two in her pocket.

rosh said...

"forgetting that the liberal nature of that emirate is really only superficial"

Daily photo: kinda subjective, don't you think? The cop did warn her - in KSA, she'd have a hundred lashes on her buttocks! Liberal is good, however, we've all got to draw the line somewhere. Why do these kinds come here in the first place? You don't have to be a complete idiot, to realize, this could get you in trouble but even at places like S'pore.

She's talking to tabloid kingpins at the Sun. I see talk shows and a best seller, in her future.

Anonymous said...

what happened to the guy involved? No one is talking about him! Was he Emirati or something?!!

Kyle said...

This is totally wrong and just out of the loop.

Come on, don’t these people know there’s a time and a place to get down on it?

Besides, what the devil were they thinking unless they felt this horrendous sticky weather served them a booster in prolonging their stick-out time?

Give me a break!

All said and done, I just hope she realizes her fault and gets off with a slap on her wrist.

Man, an educated and elegant woman like Michelle getting involved in this fiasco – what is this world coming to?

P.S.: Sorry Michelle but I’m not signing up even if I get your memoirs for free. That is, unless you write to caution future quick time fans &/or gang bangers to offset them a similar predicament, as yours!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, I am assuming from the informative comment of the British foreign office that the other guy is British two.

Dubai Jazz said...

I agree with Kyle, the condescension of morals is frightening. An unswerving, extramarital affair in public? were they kinda getting aroused by the presence of the policeman?

Anonymous said...

Who in their right minds would keep at it after being cautioned a first time by a POLICEMAN? I mean, seriously.

Anonymous said...

Kyle, "an educated and elegant woman like Michelle".

Erm.. you call THAT elegant?

Getting drunk, hooking up with someone you just met for a quickie in a public place, getting aggressive with a police officer, AND shamelessly talking to the media, that's elegant?

Get a grip will ya.

Do I really need to say it? The woman's got "shameless sl*t" written all over her.

Anonymous said...

Dubai Jazz, do we know for a fact it's extra marital or you're just making that up for a juicier bit of scandal?

Anonymous said...

Probably a regular at Rock Bottom..

Dubai Jazz said...

oh yeah, I got mixed up between 'premarital' and 'extramarital'.

Big deal.

rosh said...

"Elegant Michelle" (?)

I suppose that could place Paris Hilton and her homemade sex video in the "classic movies" aisle, alongside with Gone with the wind?

Anonymous said...

She should've known better.


Anonymous July 09 22:21
Read the article please, and to answer your question he IS NOT EMARATI. He is a British national and both of them were arrested.

Perhaps the news highlighted HER, because it has qoutes from her.

Kyle said...

shameless sl*t

Oh yeah, bang damn!

How could I miss those words on her face when they’re predominantly written all over every new-arrival’s two-bit face in town?

Paris Hilton’s classic homemade sex video

Don’t know about that, haven’t seen it? Did it make the Academy awards or what, which year?

Anybody else that wants to go a gung-ho on me, read my (left-right-&-center) comment thoroughly before jumping to the conclusion that I condoned her actions. I don’t.

rosh said...

omg! Kyle, am not going gung-ho at you. I get the humour - read comment (between the lines), please :)

Anyway, GN says she was fired from her job. OK, it's sort of really bad for this young woman. In a way, I feel quite bad for her.

Kyle said...

Fair enough, Rosh. Just wanted to clarify my position.

And that part about her losing her job, that's bad although inevitable. I wont' say she brought it upon herself - just bad timing.

Anonymous said...

The guy must have heard how girls come easy in Dubai and thought he'd be in for some no-strings action, wham bam, thank you ma'am..

Lo and behold, he comes out roped to the .. erm.. lady!

Some no-strings are sobberingly expensive!

Anonymous said...

Don't be too sorry about her losing her job guys,she'll be making a fortune selling her story to the highest media bidder.

That she lost her job will only make her story sell bigger.

Keep your sympathy for the starved.

CG said...

She is in a bad, a very bad position right now.

Getting frunk and going out in public is an offence in itself....you certainly would not want to attract attention.

Quite honestly, I think she should be 'done' more for her abuse towards the policeman and the words she said to him.

Such a shame, especially as she thinks they just want to make an example out of her.....her remorse is ...kind of lacking in sincerity.

Deport her and go and round up the rest;)

hemlock said...

but like, cant you guys, like, totally see ... how like, "affected" she is? it's totally like, "so bad"
and like, her mom is like, on anti-depressants... and like, everything!

Anonymous said...

Who are you like trying to imitate like Hemlock? Poor show.

Anonymous said...

I hope they would take a serious action towards her. All expats should show some respect to the country’s rules & regulations otherwise, they should go back to their home country. Dubai has given westerners more than what they deserve.

The guy is a British tourist

She has no excuse esp that she has been living in Dubai for more than 3 years

BuJ said...

yeah, let's try her under sharia law then charge her al-jizya :)

Anonymous said...

John, You've got the wrong end of the stick - she's not talking to The Sun. Read the story carefully - there's a brief comment from her, obviously given on the phone, basically saying that she can't talk. She won't have been paid for that.
And the photo of her has been stolen from her employer.
She's lost her job, has significant debts in Dubai based on advances for rent etc, and is going to struggle to get a job back in the UK.
I don't agree she's going to come out on top - the last time that happened was Friday

Anonymous said...

Anon, 10 July, 16.11,

Either you're naive or you are a Brit.

She spoke to the media and talked of her mom's condition to try to elicit sympathy and get people on her side, portraying 'them' and their narrow-mindedness against 'us' and our freedom. If she didn't want the publicity, she'd have shunned the media. The guy has, hasn't he?

Michelle may not have been paid this time, but talking to the media now is telling them she wouldn't be adverse to talking in future for money.

Photo stolen from her employer. You do say the cutest things...

She will come out on top. Eventually.

I think I'll go for the second one. You're Brit.

Does the real Nick has anything to say on the matter btw??

Anonymous said...

Are any Emiratis advocating for the public lashings of the defendants?

Proud Emirati said...

^^ lol, no, not necesserly. They should implement heavy fines on minor public display of affection like kissing or hugging, similar to smoking. However; having sex in public or driving drunk is an offence that should lead to jail !

Stained said...

If she thinks she's going to be made an example of then lets really make a proper example of her....six years should be enough to knock some sense into her and the deportation should do the job.....

Proud Emirati said...

wearing like sluts should have heavy fines too...

Anonymous said...

Anon July 10, 18.44: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone...

Apparently we have a few angels amongst us erm...

Dubai Jazz said...

Anonmised said:
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone...

Oh Yeah, why do you have law enforcements and judicial systems? it's all waste of time and money.

John B. Chilton said...

I will grant there is some ambiguity about what we infer from the fact that she did talk to The Sun.

We can use all the facts at our disposal including that she knows journalism.

She making the best of the bad position she's found herself in.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure we can conclude she knows the ways of the tabloid press. She works in sales on a small group of magazines about interior design. That's a very different world.

Blurting out a few words to a (no doubt) sympathetic sounding voice on the end of the phone doesn't amount to her having a calculated media strategy.

If any of us were in that situation would we all really have the presence of mind to say absolutely nothing?

Anonymous said...

She should live up to her offence and deal with the consequences of her stupid action.

"Oh they want to make an example out of us.." REALITY check you've made an "Example" out yourself by yourself.

I'm sure she will not be sentenced 6 years, but she deserves the 6 years all the way.

I agree with Proud Emarati with the "They should implement heavy fines on minor public display of affection like kissing or hugging, similar to smoking. "

People still walk around half naked in MOE, and kiss makeout in PUBLIC!!!

Anonymous said...

Anon, 11 July 01.51

You are right, she's an innocent little girl, totally unseasoned about media strategy (you know, she works in interior design publishing, she's never heard about people using the media to make themselves look good, and getting paid for their stories).Of course she's being victimised.

Bad policeman really who cautioned her a first time, when apparently a couple of Kazaksthans caught making out on the beach about a year ago did not benefit from the same first warning. They were deported straight away (after their jail time I am assuming). Apparently, laws have been relaxed since last year?

Reminds me of George Orwell's Animal Farm. All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than other animals..

Poor little Michelle. I'm heart broken really.

Anonymous said...

Oh give us a break, you holier-than-thous! Like YOU have never made out some on the beach in Dubai? Of course lots do, they are just smart enough not to get caught!

And certainly not stupid enough to keep at it if cautioned by police!
That's the thing that puzzles me to be honest. That they did not heed the first warning. Did they think they were above the law or something? How dumb. Is she a blonde disguised as a brunette?

Anonymous said...

Yep, no sinister intention talking to the media. She lives in a void, no one around to advise her on her moves, to caution her to shut up, to advise her what to say.

No nothing baby. An island at sea. A vacuum around her. Yes, agreed, no ulterior motives in chatting to media.

Anonymous said...

@ dubai Jazz,

Law enforcements and judicial systems are one thing and their authority undisputed as yet by Anonymised.

I'm talking about individuals, bloggers here, you and I. We're talking of individual bloggers' opinions here ain't we?

So, have you never sinned? Never had sex outside marriage in Dubai? Never..?

Ok! You have the right to cast the first stone..

Anonymous said...

@ dxbian girl

Isn't it a bit hypocritical to advocate fines for minor displays of affection like kissing/ hugging in public as being against the cultural values of the emirates when I'm told some barely disguised sex business happen in certain clubs/ bars in the same emirate and I'm also told you run into some major displays of talent early early morning on some bur dubai streets in the week-end (or is that every night guys? You'd know better than me..)??

Just a question.

Dubai Jazz said...

Anonymised, exactly. I have not yet broken any law in the UAE. So yes, I can ask for those who break the law to be delat with with the proper sentence.

Editor said...

Phew...what kind of a woman ends up a Friday lunch with a stranger on the beach in such action... phew...disgusting!
...and let's give the excuse that mistakes happen, why she is not hiding her head under the sand but bragging all over ....six years is a reasonable punishment...perhaps she could learn some norms from the inmates......hopefully she will age enough people to not recognize her face once she is out...I wish her the hardest sentence!

Anonymous said...

Hmmm... I think that what we can see from the reactions is a manifestation of western-phobia, or should that be Brit-phobia?

For the most part, middle-eastern bloggers acting holier-than-thou and passing harsh judgments on one side, on the other, Brits and Brit sympathisers trying to find excuses for the girl.

Nothing I'm not used to since coming across this site.

Next!

Anonymous said...

Editor, "Phew...what kind of a woman ends up a Friday lunch with a stranger on the beach in such action... phew...disgusting!"

I think it boils down to cultural differences. Eastern women (in general) do not engage in such acts, and I think they have trouble understanding that to other cultures, it is not a big deal.

For many westerners, be it male or female, random play is not frowned upon.

I've seen people openly advertise their preference. On Facebook for instance. Looking for? Random play. Ah.

I doubt any westerner share your sense of disgust about Michelle's behaviour. It's just a different world. Bridges are perhaps impossible to build at the end of the day.

Editor said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tainted Female said...

"we live in different worlds", I'm Canadian. I'm disgusted by this whore's actions. As I'm sure would be all my friends and family. If you live in a world where trashy, free-sex with strangers and complete ignorance to warnings given by authorities is acceptable, you're staying in the gutter of whatever country you're in.

Anonymous said...

It seems Michelle has her own blog:

In a blog entry she apparently posted last night, Ms Palmer spoke of her fear at what might happen to her. "We have all made silly regretful mistakes in life, of which some pay all too dearly ... The fear I feel each time I close my eyes fills my heart with dread ... Please imagine if it were you, this is punishment enough."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/briton-faces-jail-for-sex-on-dubai-beach-863918.html


Interestingly enough, only the British media knows about her blog entries.


Tainted Female;
According to the revered source of The Sun, she and the guy met 'few hours' prior to the commitment of the act. Maybe that doesn't make them strangers?

rosh said...

we live in different worlds: This is not true. The West is more liberal hence perhaps some people engage in things of this sort, however, trashy stuff of this sort is not the norm. If two people were getting on at the center of Times Square, they'd be arrested. You know what, in the 8 years I've lived here - haven't come across anything like this (though I've seen plenty of weird stuff). Building bridges involves both sides, and whole lot of understanding. It's a shame, you think Michelle's actions are acceptable, as a norm in the West.

CG: Totally agree, if not for getting it on with some guy out in the open, she should face sentence for assaulting the cop. UAE cops see first hand, the harsh realities of what is going on in their country. I know a few DXB cops, who live in AJ. Some of the stories they share, makes me quite sad, really. It's quite upsetting to read, Michelle, thinks (and conveys to Media) they are going to make an "example" out of her. The correct thing to do, is to stand up and accept she was wrong. I think people shall understand and positives shall come out of it.

Tainted Female said...

Anon on July 11, 20.06...

I take it after a few hours of knowing someone you're ready to hand them your bank card and pin, as well as take off your panties for them, since they're no longer a stranger in your world?

You lie. You've spent more time on this blog chatting with bloggers I'm sure, and you won't even give us a name to call you by.

BuJ said...

nice one tainted! say it like it should be told. i'm in two minds to see if we can ban anons.. if u wanna give an opinion then you need to be identified.. using anon nicks is pure cowardice and means ur not able to defend your opinions. plus getting a nick means an e-mail and not bank details and pin number..

well done tainted.

Lirun said...

not sure why people feel so comfortable to judge people they have never met..

Anonymous said...

Michelle the Serial Romper?

http://rashmanly.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/michelle-
palmer-finds-out-what-happens-in-dubai-stays-in-
dubai-for-perhaps-six-years/

Anonymous said...

http://www.rocketnews.com/topic/world/Michelle-Palmer/

Anonymous said...

Interesting reactions from UK-based Brits to this article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/
article-1033635/Revealed-The-telecoms-
boss-dubbed-Vince-Charming-centre-
Dubai-sex-beach-case.html?ITO=1490

Scroll down.

Anonymous said...

--- Cheeky Minx on her quest for knowledge

Good question, I'm not really sure what goes in clubs and bars, and especially the ones' your talking about!! But as far as I know its illegal to have "brothel houses/bars/clubs..."
Besides, the bars/clubs aren't empty from undercover police!


I'm not denying that such things don't exist here, but again they are not OUT IN THE OPEN FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.

and going back to this incident. It was done in a public place and it's disrespectful to our religion, culture, land and customs.

Anonymous said...

I think it was deliberate.

She's in PUBLISHING.

The man in question is no where now.

It was a set up, an idea, for a book or expose -- CLEARLY A PUBLISHING IDEA!

And it may work.

"Reporters" and "writers" set up situations all the time.

Anonymous said...

Dxbian girl

Thanks for getting back. For starters, clarification: I talked of displays of affection like hugging an kissing in my question, but I think you had the Michelle episode in mind when you answered.

I understand how it can be seen by Muslims as being more provocative if sex happens in the open. I saw from the links by anonymous that British people too think it gross and tacky and condemn her behaviour.

However, when you state, "it's disrespectful to our religion", I dare say Islam condemns this kind of practices whether it be done in the open or veiled in bars/ clubs. No..?

Hence, again my question, isn't it a bit hypocritical to advocate fining public displays of affection when we consider what goes on in certain clubs/ bars here? I've been told places like Y0rk3, r0(k b0t0m or cYcl0n3 have nothing to envy their Bangkok counterparts. Please don't quote me on this as I've never been to these places and only convey hearsay here.

Are you saying therefore that Islam condemns sex outside marriage when it's done in public, but closes its eyes on sex outside marriage if done in the 'proper' 'veiled' forum?

Please enlighten me.

Scarlett O'Hara said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Scarlett O'Hara said...

Howdy

One thing can be said for you - You have certainly got a rich imagination!

The man in question has been identified as Vince Acors, some say director of a sms text firm, others an engineer. He very much exists!

They even call him 'Vince Charming' apparently because he's a talented bird-puller,laughs them into bed he does now the little monkey! I'd love to see him try with me... and bite the dust! Or should that be sand? ;)

Proud Emirati said...

Cheeky Minx on her quest of knowledge

The Emirati has nothing to do with it. It is hypocratical from the government who want to please the locals by not allowing that to be exposed in public and please the westerns by letting them have bars and night clubs undercover.

Let me tell you,I am as an Emirati national would be happy when alcohol is banned and night clubs are closed, period !

Anonymous said...

may be she didnt had a proper place to take him to; thats is what happens when the rents are so high and people just hv bed spaces

CG said...

On Thursday night, I just happened to pass by a very busy bar in DFC and what I saw made me nearly have a hernia. There were tons (nearly) of Brit females (Yes, I heard them too) falling all over the place. I hung about for just long enough to see what was really going on in this place, before retreating back to my hole.
There was a lot of heavy drinking going on, that much I can say, and some very loud language too. Nobody seemed to care about poor Michelle who let her drink take her to other places.

Thanks to Tainted who really says it how it is, well done girl!

John B. Chilton said...

Britons party on in Dubai despite arrest

rosh said...

I don't drink or club - but in this city, it's all out in the open. I don't understand why some women dress up and hit the bars, with the hope to find a partner/husband for life. Does she honestly believe, a decent guy shall take her home for keeps?

Call me ignorant, I just don't get the "morality" or sensibility of drinking and dancing to genitalia whilst making a complete ass of yourself with some stranger you've just met at a pub? It's completely different, when having a glass of wine with someone you know, over a casual chat or on a date.

Cheeky minx: it's got nothing to do with religion. It's all got to do with common sensibilities and decent behaviour, as guest at someone else's home. The host may want you to be comfortable (especially a host known for their hospitality) - however, do not take undue advantage of their gestures.

Anonymous said...

Is it just the British or do all expats party so hard and get drunk so fast??qm

Scarlett O'Hara said...

Rosh, I doubt they dress up and hit the bars in the hope of landing a husband. They do it for fun and are game for a one night-stand with a guy (or two or more..).

British girls are notorious for that. It's not just here in Dubai (i think r0ck b0t0m is a prime example where this happens?), they do the same back in England apparently. What can I say, I guess British guys like it..

Each to their own..

Tainted Female said...

That's an interesting article John. You have to note how the Brits who are still partying, also think her actions were plain right out stupid.

There's a fine line between tolerance, and taboo in Dubai. She crossed the line and should have known better.

It'll be interesting to see what her sentence is.

Anonymous said...

CG,
Can you enlighten us single men as to what is the name of that lively bar?!

samuraisam said...

Scarlett O'Hara: Why do you keep on avoiding writing the proper names of establishments and attempting to obscure them by using numbers instead of characters?

Scarlett O'Hara said...

Oops! I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that Samurai! You'll have to ask Cheeky Minx! Minx, why o why did you get me into this?

Anonymous said...

Me got you into nothing Violeta! You followed me all by yourself like the big girl you are you did!

Now, why in the world would the Cheeky Minx veil names? That's a million $$ question! Anyone to venture a guess?

samuraisam said...

cheeky minx: I'm really curious...

Dubai Jazz said...

Some of the interjectory expressions, as shown in the Urban Dictionary, have their Os replaced with the 0 (digit). Like in the expression (w00t!).I guess cheeky minx had followed suit with regards to those names, but why did he do that I don’t really know.

Anonymous said...

Samurai, you know what they say eh, curiosity killed the cat..! ;)

Dubai Jazz, since when is a minx male my friend?! Google it will ya!

U're doing good, keep trying... :p

samuraisam said...

dubai jazz: I can assure you that there is no location in the entire UAE worthy of having it's name presented in 1337-speak.

cheeky minx: The only reason I can think of is that you think Etisalat will ban this site based upon words used; this is not true. In any case, stop doing it because it is annoying.

Anonymous said...

Woh, check out the directive.

Annoying to you maybe Samuraisam, but not to me.

I doubt I'm violating any agreed-upon-by-concencus blog rules in so doing, am I? Is this a dictatorship here or a democracy?

samuraisam said...

Dictatorship.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dubai Jazz said...

I guess one shouldn’t take the minx so seriously.

BuJ said...

oh guys come on.
we have a great blog here with a great purpose and many good writers.. let's stop being childish because i think such activities should be limited to a personal blog rather than a multi-user community blog such as this one.

rosh said...

Wow a pub called Ch33rs? What's the theme - Richard Coram, Natalia Magnaldi, Shanaz Pakrvan (did I get her name right?) - old timer newsreaders of news at 10:)

Though it's a shame if they let this become a cheeky pub! Could've been much better and respectful to have a Bistro or an eatery like TGIF's. Ch33rs are a memorable part of young UAE's infant days.

Sorry for being off topic - so back to Michelle. Cheeky Minx - is that you Michelle?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

"I was thinking of going back to England because I do miss it,’ said Mr Burdon. ‘But we are all earning much more than we did back home and life here is good. You can fill up your car with petrol for six quid. So with the fuel crisis and the credit crunch I’m staying here.

‘I’d miss these brunches if I left – there is nothing like them in Britain. I love them.’"


see, thats why people come here and don't want to leave....despite all the negatives discussed in this blog..

I know many expats who tell me that same thing. But here on the blog only few say it..

So at the end of the day, this blog does not represent the expats who live here, many are here, happy, grateful, friendly, respectful and have local friends like me...

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
samuraisam said...

Stick to the topic.

Anonymous said...

Hey Sam, I see you deleted three funny comments that I read earlier!

You seem to lack a funny bone in your body! You can't see the humour in certain comments apparently.

Oh well, what to do, you ain't Brit eh? No wonder you struggle with sarcasm and irony!

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