08 November, 2008

A research request...

Hi expats - Thailand's Masterpiece below posted a request on my humble Al Ain based blog. I think he or she may get a far more satisfying response from the broader community.

Cheers

DtP
Delete
Blogger Thailand's masterpiece said...

Hi
I am a student in the university in al ain. I will do a presentation about a multicultural UAE. I chose this topic because I want to make people here especially locals aware of the multicultural society they are living in and I want all of us to respect others more so that we can live here, in the UAE happier.

It would be great if you can give me some ideas to do this presentation. I also have some questions for you.
-What do you like about local people?
-What don’t you understand about them?
-Do you have any problems with people from different cultures that arise from language, cultural and religious differences?
-Do you have any funny situations created from the difference in cultures or languages?
Please mail me your answers to reefuns@hotmail.com
Thank you in advance

Anusorn 

11 comments:

Dubai Jazz said...

For what it worth, I'll post my feedback here:

-What do you like about local people?

Majority are nice, decent, humble and lucid.

-What don’t you understand about them?

Nothing serious that I can think of at the moment.

-Do you have any problems with people from different cultures that arise from language, cultural and religious differences?

I don't have fundemntal problems with anybody. However, there are people of certain cultures that I feel I could never be a good friend with.

-Do you have any funny situations created from the difference in cultures or languages?

An awkward situation will take place every now and then, none of them is serious or report-worthy.

Anonymous said...

I agree with DJ :)
By the way, these days I am in the process of having the national ID card and I deal with Emirati people in the post office / EIDA frequently (because I went more than once), and I find them there very friendly and kind. I also feel that aged people are much more kind and patient than the youth. But I don’t think this is related to UAE itself... maybe this is everywhere...
I don’t think Arab expats will be able to give some useful feedback about language, cultural, or religious differences...

Anonymous said...

specially for locals...intersting!

I am local, and would love to get an update with the end result.

Good luck:)

Songwriter F Space said...

-What do you like about local people?
I like their simple culture; despite the extravagant oil wealth, they hold on to the indigenous values. If I see a group dancing with camel sticks in Marina Mall, I always stop to listen and look. It is a taste of pure, unadulterated UAE culture and feels good.

-What don’t you understand about them?
Nothing of significance… on a funny level, maybe their obsession with talking on the phones (not meant to be derogatory)

-Do you have any problems with people from different cultures that arise from language, cultural and religious differences?
I think that is one of the best things about the UAE. I do not have any problems of significance. I suppose the language barrier can, at times be an issue for some people but that too is extremely inconsequential. A multi-cultural society breeds tolerance.

-Do you have any funny situations created from the difference in cultures or languages?
Well, I always find it amusing when I am with an older local person in an elevator and I hold the door for them saying, “tafadul”. If I am on the right, they will persist that I go first and be very stubborn about it by insisting, “Yamin”. I find it very courteous and funny in a very pleasant way.

Anonymous said...

-What do you like about local people?

Have lived here for a year and a half and have never had the opportunity to speak to a local in a personal situation.

-What don’t you understand about them?

Much, I have no idea about Emirati culture other than very basic stuff like: Sk, Zayed / Perls / History as a Trading & Fishing Port. I don't even know what local cuisine is, if I was to guess by what is served in Dubai I would say Lebanese food.

-Do you have any problems with people from different cultures that arise from language, cultural and religious differences?

Some minor annoyances maybe when queuing and driving, and with "I want" & "Give me", but for the most part no. I can understand why there are problems and resentment from all sides though.

-Do you have any funny situations created from the difference in cultures or languages?

Once when at the Etisalat office while at the counter waiting for the computer to finish processing something the local gentleman asked where I was from, "Canada" I said, he paused and then replied "You know . . . we can have 4 wives . . ."

Mita said...

I would like to contribute as well.

I like local people - I have found most them to be very hospitable and friendly especially if you are away from the metropolis these days.

What I don't understand is how they can don't rate their own culture as highly as we do theirs - especially the young people.

One of the reasons for continuing to stay in the UAE and Dubai in spite of spiralling costs is its multi-cultural ambience. I think our differences make us more interesting.

I am sure there are loads of funny situations but I cannot seem to recall any off hand.

Anonymous said...

Thanks dubaijazz,hatem, Love it or Leave it or Else , abu dhabi bloger, smith and mita for your responds
I'm so thankful :)

god bless you all
Anusorn

Anonymous said...

Hey has anyone had any problems with they cell phone today...?? something is wrong with the network....almost everyone I called was busy..lol.

Can any update us..?

i*maginate said...

andy, I had the same problem that day in the morning but I only noticed it from 8 - 8.45...

Mohammad said...

Hi ... hope your research is going well... I am not a local ... and not exactly an expat (maybe) ... anyway, I think it would be nice to hear the same from the other pint of view ... the Emiratis.

G'luck

Stay .. Far away so close ! said...

For a second, i was horrified to look at the comments exapts have noted down about local people. I found it so nice to see that some have a nice impression about us locals, especially from AbuDhabi blogger and Mita! Thank you!

And to Smith..The main reason of conflicts between locals and expats that both haven't had the opportunity to know each other.
have few expat friends who were happy to correct the wrong accusations/presumptions they had about locals and culture of uae.
A year and a half is a lot of time, you just have to show the interest, locals will be more than happy to be of a help =)

Post a Comment

NOTE: By making a post/comment on this blog you agree that you are solely responsible for its content and that you are up to date on the laws of the country you are posting from and that your post/comment abides by them.

To read the rules click here

If you would like to post content on this blog click here