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19 February, 2009

An Emirati's view

The opinion of local Dubai people - the native Emiratis - on Dubai's rapid growth is scarce compared to expat opinion. Partly it's a language issue, many of them probably express themselves more in Arabic than in English. It may be cultural in that they don't like to speak out. But one Emirati shares their view here:
A lot of us Emiratis feel this downturn is exactly what we have needed. The chance to finally slow down and see things as they are without the stink of greed distorting everything. To finally concentrate our efforts where it counts such as improving our schools and colleges, completing the metro, building a stable civil society, and a sustainable economy.

Here are the negatives that I feel the boom brought:

Pollution: I remember when one could see the Trade Centre as a little dot on the horizon when travelling from AbuDhabi to Dubai. Something no longer possible with the haze we have now
Prostitution: Before the boom, people would travel to South East Asia to get their sin fix and bring back AIDS. The only difference being the prostitutes are here, and all the nefarious enablers that goes with it. A great shame
Greed: Not an expat only phenomenon. It's weird when the only things some members of the family would talk about is money, money, money. This flaunting of wealth was once considered unseemly by most Emiratis.

Here are the positives of the boom:

Coverage: Dubai in the international media made us see ourselves from the point of view of others, and what was written usually contradicted our own self image
Culture Change: The boom added a measure of optimism to the somewhat pessimistic culture that is part of our birthright. Emiratis are working in sectors of the economy that before would have been considered beneath them.
Greater Efficiency and transparency in government: Yes, these are halting steps forward. I remember the hair pulling experiences I have had with Dubai government 5 years ago and how much more modern it is.
Metro: Can't wait for it to go live


Comments

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43 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pollution: Its not going to get better even in a recession.

Prostitution: It was around long before the boom and it will be around as long as there are men in Dubai.

Greed: It was around before the boom and will be around as long as Dubai is seen as a chance to make a quick buck and leave. Flaunting of wealth has always been a trademark for rich Emiratis. Again this attitudes was around before the boom and is not exclusively Emirati.

Coverage: What are you talking about. During the boom most of the international media was focusing on what a visionary leader Sheik Mo was and the only negative focus was of the plight of the Asian labourers. New media laws introduced make it illegal to run stories negative about Dubai. Another step back. Recent international coverage focus is mostly on the economy and very little is about the local culture. Secret Dubai continues to be blocked.

Culture Change: I have yet to see an Emirati cab driver. Most public relations officers I have met turn out to be from other GCC countries. Emiraties have not changed and still demand special status.

Greater Efficiency and transparency in government: There has been an improvement in some government institution in the form of efficiency. But transparency has actually taken a turn for the worse. Just take a look at the transparency rating of Dubai Inc. related companies. You as an Emirati have no idea where your money goes.

Metro: Why would you be excited about a mass transport system? A metro is no sign of progress.

I have been here since childhood and know the culture very well. Dubai's 5 year boom is too short a time to expect a change in Emirati's attitudes and cultural norms.

But the question remains, why do you as an Emirati feel that the slowing down of the economy is going to help "concentrate our efforts where it counts such as improving our schools and colleges, completing the metro, building a stable civil society, and a sustainable economy." What has changed in the values of Emiratis in the last 5 years that will make this happen? More importantly you should ask why were these sectors of Dubai neglected during and before the economic boom? Ask yourself who has prospered more in the last five years expats or locals? And why do you wait for a downturn to have some self reflection?

19 February, 2009 17:01  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Before the boom, people would travel to South East Asia to get their sin fix and bring back AIDS. The only difference being the prostitutes are here, and all the nefarious enablers that goes with it. A great shame

The usual self righteous Sandnigger dialogue. They regularly travel abroad for sex, then back in their own countries pretend moral superiority and lecture about the evils of prostitution and homosexuality and, the 'purity of Islamic society'. Bollocks. Or, should one say, camel shit?

Emirati's are working in sectors of the economy that before would have been considered beneath them.

Very humble but, Sandniggers don't work. They adopt fancy titles with smart offices and big desks, and personal parking spaces for their shiny new SUV's (washed twice daily by an Indian slave boy) - but it's all fake - and everybody knows it. Your typical EmiRatty
is subsidised by his government and basically lives off the world's best dole. Their development & prosperity (plus the other 5 retarded GCC Sandnigger states) is due entirely to the efforts & brains of foreigners: The indigenous Sandniggers are irrelevant. In fact, they're a major obstruction - with their backward cultures, tribal politics, corrupt bureaucracies, non-democratic governments, and their imbecile Bedouin attitudes.

19 February, 2009 18:35  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@ 19 February, 2009 18:35

Have to completely agree with you. I work at the DIFC for HSBC. They were forced to hire some locals. They did and I swear our entire team took a major hit. Our productivity went down. The locals main concern was titles and looks. They had their own offices beside ours. They would literally play on their phones all day long. They would try to outdo each other by buying better laptops. Always last to come to work, first to leave. I cant think of one positive impact they made. Never met clients, never made reports, nothing. Some other banks literally pay them to stay home because they are a nuisance to the rest of the team. What I find amazing is that these chaps are 30 something so must have had the best opportunities in life, but they choose to be ignorant. They never bother talking to us, if we try to talk to them they are simply rude. I have discussed this with other colleagues and they have exactly the same experience.

Even when I go to my bank to do some transactions I find myself begging the Lord that I don't get an emirati teller. They are slow, act like they are doing you a favour when they are doing their job and never ever smile. But thankfully there are so few that i rarely get one.

I think emiratization has backfired. People hate them because they are paid TO DO NOTHING! They could not survive in any other environment. They really are a drain on the system. They saddest part is that if they have not changed by now chances are they will never change.

19 February, 2009 19:26  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Xpat,

To answer your question, because people change when they feel pain. This downturn is hitting Emirati's as well.

Dear Anonymous 19 February, 2009 18:35

I have nothing to say to you.

Dear Anonymous 19 February, 2009 19:26

I apologize for your experience with the particular Emirati's at HSBC DIFC. I have managed both Emirati's, Expats, and mixed teams and I understand how varied the quality of team members can be. I would also point out that a large part of the reason you experienced what you experienced is because they are not held accountable to perform. Train them, give them responsibility, hold them accountable, coach them and give them regular adjusting feedback. Do the above, and they will perform or be lead out the door. As long as people treat them as a 'Necessary Evil', then they will get what they sow. Emiratization was started to address a very real issue: When companies can just import talent, why hire Emirati's? In fact, why even have a training department when imports come pre-trained? What companies did instead was completely ignore Emirati's. Those Emirati's hired were done purely on the basis of the their family name and connections. Not a very good situation be in.

19 February, 2009 22:15  
Blogger secretdubai said...

I'm not in a censoring mood today, but the "sandnigger" term is really not helpful. People who use it end up looking more ignorant and bigoted than those they are trying to criticise.

19 February, 2009 22:49  
Blogger rosh said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

19 February, 2009 22:50  
Blogger rosh said...

People, show some respect and address the man in similar manner he's addressed you. Please, don't go all out rude.

Emirati, I relate to what you say - as well to the 2nd Anon. I've met, worked and have friends of both kinds - those laid back (who btw have always been nice) and the driven ones. I think the former was perhaps the majority, at least in late 90's early 2000's (?) I could be wrong, however I don't know how things stand now.

Nevertheless, you are correct - motivation, constructive training and direction must be offered. Personally, I think given the structure, set-up in the UAE - not all expat managers may help provide the above, which is when the government steps in - creates a protectionist society, thus reducing incentive or drive of some local folks toward progress. Anyway, nobody can help anyone, unless the individuals help themselves. The educated, worldly and hard working local folks I know in life, I am very proud to be friends with. They never carry that "chip" on their shoulders - they seem "so normal and down to earth" - it's a pleasure, unlike some I've encountered, say in UAE's banks. All said, I hope more local folks take note and drive themselves to put their nation on track toward a brighter future. You folks are blessed with a positive home - she's young, just finding her footsteps in the global arena and she needs your collective help to keep up.

19 February, 2009 22:51  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@ " would also point out that a large part of the reason you experienced what you experienced is because they are not held accountable to perform."

How can you hold locals accountable when it is illegal to fire them even when they under-perform!

Plus emiratization is as old a the state. By forcing companies to have a local partner as a majority shareholder is also a form of emiratization. It hasn't made locals harder working. It has done the opposite. Emirati ambition now revolves around getting a sponsorship salary and driving around aimlessly.

Frankly though the problem is much worse in Abu Dhabi. Go to the malls in the morning and they are packed with Emirati men drinking coffee from dusk till dawn. They are devoid of ambition.

I think, and please let some Emirati tell me I'm wrong, that because of all the wealth concentrated in the hands of the ruling families came from oil and not hard work, locals believe that it too is their right not to work hard and receive handouts from their rulers. And what they receive is nothing compared to the wealth in the hands of the few. In fact the rulers of Abu Dhabi could give a salary of USD1,000,000to every family every year for a hundred years.

But honestly if I didn't have to work i wouldn't. I would spend my time doing things i love like sailing, jogging, reading etc. But emiraties are content with drinking coffee. Sad isn't it.

@"When companies can just import talent, why hire Emirati's? In fact, why even have a training department when imports come pre-trained? "

Its called being competitive. An emirati engineer, if he was qualified would be more cost efficient for a company then an expat who demands flights back home every year for him and his family. If there was any home grown talent it would be cheaper always. Unfortunately talented Emiratis are a rare breed indeed but by forcing into jobs they cant handle will demotivate them in the long term.

19 February, 2009 22:56  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@19 February, 2009 22:15

While what you say is true Emiratization (or Kuwait/Saudi/Qatari/whatever) is not the answer.

The only thing it does is create a culture of entitlement (which one could reasonably argue already very much exists) without rewarding good conduct en punishing (firing) bad/lazy behaviour.

The bottom line is, there are not that many Emiratis out there and plenty of jobs if they are willing to actually work for a living.

Also Dubai is just like any other place, you have smart people who work hard & do well, average people & lazy people who accomplish little (i'm not saying all poor people are lazy, i'm talking about pepole who actually don't want to work).

Not everybody is suited for a decent career and all emiratization does is take chances away from people who actually work hard for opportunities and given them to people who more often than not just don't care.

19 February, 2009 22:57  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear SD,

Don't censor. There is too much of that going around these days. The harsh language is indicative of the real frustration expats have. Now its a bit colorful but it does show how hatred and bigotry is formed.

Keep up the good work.

19 February, 2009 23:01  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The term sand-nigger is not used in the correct manner. The derogatory term nigger express the deviled attitude of a master and his slave. When you use the term sandnigger it means that locals are importing people fron other countires and are being used and abused by their master. In fact the opposite is true. If there are any sandniggers its the expats not the locals. Slaves are always imported not indigenous. Thus we expat are the real slaves. How else can you explain us working hard and yet having almost no rights?

20 February, 2009 00:34  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry fucked up my grammar delete "In fact the opposite is true."

20 February, 2009 00:45  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I may not agree with what my enemy says but I will defend, to the death, his right to say it"

Voltaire

20 February, 2009 00:57  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with SD, there is no reason for this sort of language as it only provokes anger & goes against the interests of a frank & productive discussion.

Please grow up, just because you post as anonymous doesn't mean you can leave your manners in the real world. I understand that people are frustrated after being dealt with unfairly by some arabs and I for one can't be more sympathetic. However using the word sand nigger just makes you sound retarded & ignorant.

20 February, 2009 02:12  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't usually post comments on anything on the internet, as I feel that it is usually futile - but this is different since it hits close to home.

- Let the frustration be known SD. There is plenty of it, and the least people can do about it is type words into a little box, in the hope that someone will read it. Call it catharsis if you will.

- That being said, it is wise to realize that people are hurt within Dubai's society. Not everyone can leave when they want to.

- Though this might seem like a good platform to voice your qualms to an emirati, let it be known that he / she won't have the answers. You and I both know that. Feel free to voice them though.

- The issue with entitlement, getting jobs handed to you, and the overall UNequal social status of locals in Dubai can only be addressed if the rulers in dubai decide to make dubai a democratic nation. Until and unless you are seen as a citizen on equal footing as another, this situation will prevail through out UAE, in all walks of life.
Active citizenry in a democratic environment needs to be adopted to address the continuing disparity and divisiveness.

And yes, people will think lesser of you if you start of by swearing. It's understandable that sometimes you can't help yourself.

I understand that these are all ideals that may never be accomplished, but it's food for thought. Feel free to bash it all you want, but try to be productive in the process.

20 February, 2009 02:40  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The comments on training and holding Emirates accountable are laughable. First off, how can you train them when they aren't qualified for their jobs? Secondly, how can you hold them accountable when you have no power over them. An Emirati subordinate has much more power than his/her boss. He just has to complain to the right person and that boss is gone. I know of expats that complain about inept, lazy, and unqualified locals, but they're too afraid to do anything about it because they don't want to lose their job. They prefer for the locals to not even come into work because the locals' absence makes things more productive. How sad is that? It's also sad for those few locals that are qualified and hard-working because they'll never know if their success was due to personal factors or just because of their citizenship.

As for the "SN" word, it doesn't have anything to do with slavery. It's because those from the Gulf have darker skin (as in negro) and people associate negative traits like laziness and stupidity to them much as they do to blacks. It's racist and takes away from your argument; it makes you look biased due to race and not to their behavior, which should be our focus. Why use a word like that when "Emirati" and "local" carry the same negative associations?

20 February, 2009 08:23  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

the progress was aimless. what did dubai got from being in media balloon for so many years? its all bogus
the steps for uae should be:
1- analyze what are THEIR CULTURAL roots ,,,
2- what are their immediate NEEDs?
do they really need to build such skyscarapers while they themselvbes want to live in open air villas.
for whom they wana build this?
3- whats ur OWN economy? only oil?
u were told by western investors that u can grow in tourism? we shall be visiting you and buying Ur apartments. you didnt thought to develop anything but "island"

Dear Emirati I appreciate the vision and i agree with u that your progress SHOULD NOT BE AT THE STAKE OF UR IDEALOGY AND IDENTITY

20 February, 2009 11:14  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@ "An Emirati's View"

A very narrow and unrealistic point of view. I hope you don't represent the best the local people can muster.

As for the protectionist policies in concern to the employment of Emirati's, good for them. They lost their country to foreigners long ago. Expats run the place now and they know it. If they have to pass laws to make them feel in control, so be it. If Dubai fails they will be the only ones left.

@ Xpat "Ask yourself who has prospered more in the last five years expats or locals?"

Definitely not the locals. Here's the scenario. Dubai borrows to build. Foreigner do the work and get paid handsomely in most cases. That money is sent home and the expats country prospers. Locals cant do the work required to build a sustainable economy (their are just not enough of them around), so actually expats are the life blood of Dubai. We are in charge. We run the big companies, we run the show. Sheik Mo gave Dubai to us. And if we don't like it we can leave, Emirate's cant. So who's your dady. Muahahaha!

20 February, 2009 15:49  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@20 February, 2009 15:49

I have to disagree with you. Dubai (and other gcc countries) don't really need many expats as the populations are small now and 20 years ago were tiny. Small populations don't need a lot of cash to thrive.

If instead of throwing away money like there's no tomorrow Sheikh Mo & family properly invested & diversified the economy 20 years ago and made clear to the local populace that they're not getting a free ride & have to work for stuff Dubai could have lowered it's quota and would still have plenty of oil to spare.

Dubai doesn't need millions of tourists or numerous skyscrapers (it's in the middle of the freaking desert for crying out loud & there's plenty of space to build). What it needs is decent goverment to give the local populace the kick in the behind it needs.

That said, as long as the majority of the population would rather go through life without any ambition and give no critisism to the dictators that rule them they do get what they deserve.

Once you take away the glitter & glammer what have you got? A badly managed tax haven in the middle of a desert without an ambitious local population with absolutely nothing to offer. Once the oil money runs out the proverbial shit will really hit the fan, it might not happen overnight but it's very likely it will happen nontheless.

20 February, 2009 19:29  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Ano 20 February, 2009 19:29

Let me explain to you how wrong you are.

You said "Dubai (and other gcc countries) don't really need many expats as the populations are small now and 20 years ago were tiny. Small populations don't need a lot of cash to thrive."

You are correct in the sense that the emirates population is small. But the economy of Dubai and the UAE is large. There are approximately 900,000 locals(http://www.zu.ac.ae/employment/html/liveuae.html). Half are women who don't generally work. Of the 470,000 males in general 60% can work (others being too young or too old to work or unable to work for various reason) So you have approximately 360,000 able bodied local workforce. Of that 360,000 workers only 10-15% will be college graduates (I'm taking international averages, could be higher or lower but not by much) so you will have around 40,000 college graduates. The DIFC alone will employ 45,000 professionals or knowledge worker as they are called on their website (http://www.difc.ae/district/facts_and_figures/) So if every Emirati graduate was to work ONLY in the DIFC there would still be a deficit of workers to make it sustainable. And that leaves nothing for public institution like the army, police and the various ministries.

Now we still have the working class Emiraties. About 320,000. The hotel industry in Dubai (we haven't even touched the other emirates) have 47,000 hotel rooms. The average hotel room needs 3 staff to service. Thats 141,000 service staff needed just to run the hotels in Dubai. So we are left with 179,000 emiraties to do all the work remaining in all other industires and all other emirates.

They will die without expats. We are their future and destiny. Like it or not, we are the lifeline to a sustainable future. Whos your dady? We are!

You also said "Small populations don't need a lot of cash to thrive." Emiraties have been surviving for hundreds of years but their existance was meger. To get out of the pitiful past the need the west. they know it and so should you

You also said "If instead of throwing away money like there's no tomorrow Sheikh Mo & family properly invested & diversified the economy 20 years ago and made clear to the local populace that they're not getting a free ride & have to work for stuff Dubai could have lowered it's quota and would still have plenty of oil to spare."

The economy of Dubai is not diverisfied. It can never be. Diversificvation means that your terriroty has various resorces that can be trannsfered into goods and the local populace have the skills to offer a diversifeed range of servies. Dubai and the UAE fail on both points. Mo has spent most of the money he borrowed from international bacnk to buy stakes in forien companies. That means that Mo is dependant on their proformance. Again non-locals hold all the cards.


(note the number mentiond above are crude but in the right ball park research and you will see im right +/- 5%)

20 February, 2009 22:10  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@20 February, 2009 22:10

My point here is why does Dubai need 47,000 hotel rooms? Why don't women generally work? I could go on and on.

While I have nothing against importing labor when needed and there will always be a need for expats the amount of foreigners doing work that emiratis themselved could to is ridiculous. The problem here of course being that a lot of professions are looked down on by arabs. A lot of stuff expats are doing could easily be done by emiratis if they were motivated enough.

Dubai does not need all this tourism & real estate development to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for it's small population. The sad fact is that a small group of people are making a lot of money. In any western country (except the us) there would be riots if the president/prime ministers cousin was making millions upon millions on goverment contracts. Yet somehow in the middle east this is ok. Very hypocritical.

Letting all your counties cash flow outside (through only hiring expats and investing so much in foreign companies) is a recipe for disaster. One day the expats will leave as they have no reason to stay other than fill their pockets. With hard work and the right attitude Dubai could be a powerhouse in its own right. Just look at Kualu Lumpur. It used to be nothing but a fishing village not so long ago.

It's mostly the mentality of Emeriatis (& arabs in general) that's holding them back.

21 February, 2009 03:01  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry, there really is no justification for that sort of language.

21 February, 2009 04:28  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

secretdubai, is there a way to contact you...?

21 February, 2009 19:52  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey! Have a look at what I just found:
http://www.dubaiselect.com/

Great stuff, isn't it?

22 February, 2009 08:35  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Secret,

Thank you for sticking around. All these years and not a dull moment on your blog :-)

Take care and best regards.

23 February, 2009 21:45  
Blogger mahad said...

People, show some respect and address the issue in a civilized way.
name-calling is among the lowest substitutes for civilized discourse.
''sandnigger'' is unheplpfull term for any person it show the rage you feel for your hosts. you should try control this rage or stop being such a merc go home . cause in your native bligty you'll be labled a bigot not a good one for ur cv on the employment front....some emaratis find special favors demeaning and patronizing.

24 February, 2009 18:17  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree that using derogatory language and stereo-types is not helpful. Everyone who is involved has a role in what has happened in Dubai for better of for worse.
Why would the expatriates want the Emiratis to succeed? Their success in the workplace would mean the elimination of at least a portion of expatriate jobs.
The greed and the get rich quick phenomenon is not exclusive to the UAE. The US is going through the biggest economic crisis since the depression. It is only getting worse by the day. Much of this economic catastrophe is due to greed, wanting everything now without earning it etc.
There is a need to vent but there is also a need to be part of the solution and not a contribution to the existing problem.
The building of human capital in any country requires the cooperation and interaction of all stakeholders. Many Emirati's enjoy a high standard of living without working for it. This is not good for anyone. Expatriate corporations have been making millions. Why would they risk that by pointing out to their Emirati employers existing problems with the work force when they could make a huge profit by importing the workforce.
The UAE is a microcosm of what is happening around the world. We all need to stop and reflect on where we are going and how we are getting there as well as, what is important and what is not. What is sustainable and what is not? We all have a lot to learn.

24 February, 2009 21:03  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree that using derogatory language and stereo-types is not helpful. Everyone who is involved has a role in what has happened in Dubai, for better of for worse.
Why would the expatriates want the Emiratis to succeed? Their success in the workplace would mean the elimination of at least a portion of expatriate jobs.
The greed and the get rich quick phenomenon is not exclusive to the UAE. The US is going through the biggest economic crisis since the depression. It is only getting worse by the day. Much of this economic catastrophe is due to greed, wanting everything now without earning it etc.
There is a need to vent but there is also a great need for everyone to be part of the solution and not continue to expand the existing problems.
The building of human capital in any country requires the cooperation and interaction of all stakeholders. Many Emirati's enjoy a high standard of living without working for it. This is not good for them or for anyone else. Expatriate corporations in the UAE have been making millions. Why would they risk this income by pointing out to their Emirati employers existing problems with the work force when they could make a huge profit by importing the workforce. Again, in fairness, there are many expatriates who are trying to be truthful and to build the the country and its people.
The UAE is a microcosm of what is happening around the world. We all need to stop and reflect on where we are going and how we are getting there as well as, what is important and what is not. What is sustainable and what is not? We all have a lot to learn.

24 February, 2009 21:08  
Blogger rosh said...

Sweetly said Anon, 24 February, 2009 21:03! Completely agree.

24 February, 2009 21:09  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

this is a wasted discussion largely. people like to be lazy, and live a good life. this is a historically proven quality of humans. in the free time they have, different cultures follow different pursuits, for some art and music and culture , for some science, for some nature, but here it seems to be mostly debauchery. i dont know if it is due to limiting their intellectual development by telling them everything in terms that cannot be broken, whether it is religion, rituals etc.

in any case, no point wondering when locals will become different. very unlikely they will follow intellectual or productive pursuits in a society where these are not what is written about or appreciated.what is written about is riding a horse, flying a falcon, and owning a rolls royce. so these cultural values are what they aspire for, is it a surprise they dont contribute to the society? they will start to, if and wne poverty kicks in. that is a long way away.

25 February, 2009 13:25  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i just want to know how the UAE particularly dubai will function if half or even 25% of the expats leave this country?

dont they realize that we are their customer base in everything they need to survive on? From immigration fees, to toothpastes to DEWA fees (double for expats mind you - we subsidize the flushing for locals), to real estate, to emirates airlines, to etisalat. So screaming "if u dont like it, leave it" is not really helpful for their own labroghini airconditioned lifestyle, especially now that there is no oil. try sustaining any of the businesses i names above on a 300 000 population nationwide and you will know what a REAL recession is.

ofcourse the customer is king is not the kind of understanding they will ever get here.

28 February, 2009 13:03  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

check this out.. ..the latest on dubai bashing..

http://www.reuters.com/article/dealAtoms/idUSCH125024491320090306?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

09 March, 2009 10:54  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Will you all flee away before ending in debtors' prison? Nice place to live! Congratulations and good luck! (When paradise turns hell: sweage and shit in the see, the Palms sunking... what a place!)

09 March, 2009 21:34  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Take a generalized test of Emirati students in SAT level maths and see the results. UAE locals have been dealt a lucky hand with oil, but they would be advised to pull their collective head out of their posterior. If tomorrow Qatar offers better opportunities,all expats will leave and then you can pull Sheikh Mo's rickshaw yourself.

11 March, 2009 02:26  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

looks like this place is almost over.
i want to hear of others that have been laid off who have got a job. from the people that i know who have been laid off at nakheel, not 1 person has found a job so far.

all this hype that abu dhabi is hiring is also not true. ad is not on an expanding frenzy either.

11 March, 2009 14:48  
Blogger ssaleen said...

all you guys been laid off or what?,

yes we do have a problem in UAE and no not everyone is lazy. and there are many UAE locals who work hard. i understand your frustration, but it does you no good to call me a sand nigger.

we should solve the problem with mutual respect as both of us are involved, it should be done thru conversation and not name calling.

finally, expats if you hate it so much, think twice before coming here because at the end of the day nothin u say in the internet will change emaratees. we acknowledge your knowledge and therefore we provide you the opportunity in our country to help us build it, so you should return the favor, because most of you expats get paid more then emaratees most of the time, and for the same job.

13 April, 2009 10:20  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am black am a nigger?
A Sandnigger?
So they are Niggers like black people but born in the desert
OK I get it now...
But I am an educated nigger, hardworking who has achieved greatly in this world?
So what does Sand mean?
What does nigger mean?

Ok Dubai offers you false hope...
What about countries that did not invite you there? And the people were enslaved for generations built western countries did all the CRAP jobs and still people have the cheek to call them NIGGERS!

Now the Dubai People have tricked you in their country and instead of their people being slaves they look after their people as they are the minority anyway...they have a bad attitude have crazy laws...like what niggers had to endure for years...

The majority of expats come from countries built by niggers anyway...just not SANDNIGGERS...

mmm...What goes around...comes around springs to mind...Although I understand that many of you are lovely and cannot be help responsible for the actions of your forefathers...

But just think about? I was really feeling rage about Dubai...upset how they could treat people like that...then the term NIGGER STOPPED me dead in my tracks!

SAND NIGGER!?!

PS: Thank you to all the people who are more open minded!

Signed the Great Granddaughter of an 'Original Slave Nigger'...

15 April, 2009 03:18  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There is no human rights in UAE, A sheikh can make changes n edit in country law at anytime, police never catch local citizens, if ever they catch they released afterawrd a year or few months only even any kind of crime, they use to treat as slave to Asian Bangladeshes, Indian and Pakistanis. Do you know club dancer girls stay as prisoners after their club duty hours until club opening. So I have a question to the worldwide Human Rights Organization that where is the human rights in UAE? UAE is a jail itself for the expatriates. All expatriates passport are holding by local companies, A local or police man can hit on the face of any Indian without asking. They really treat others like dogs. Many Western male / female and filipinos got rape by local and all those local who rape are free, they just spend few months in jail. Therefore court always didn't mentioned criminals full name to the media. Worldwide tv channel never show any crime report on UAE, like usually they show on UK, India and Pakistan. I just want to say F.c.u.k Dubai - UAE

11 May, 2009 02:23  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

All I have to say is that in Dubai you receive FREE college according to many websites. I cannot fathom how all of these people are so uneducated. There are more college degrees earned in the US and other countries who do not receive free college. Pathetic! I think it's time for the local's to get their butts in gear, get a college education, get a job, and stop being a strain on the economy! Otherwise Dubai will end up like the US... Trust me, you don't want it to happen...

17 July, 2009 07:45  
Anonymous viv energy drink said...

I would also point out that a large part of the reason you experienced what you experienced is because they are not held accountable to perform.

06 August, 2009 05:12  
Anonymous Irina said...

The Burj Dubai when finished will be the biggest tower in the world. It took around 330 thousand cubic meters of concrete, 39 metric tons of reinforcing steel and 142 thousand square meters of glass to build it. The tower is 33 thousand square feet at the bottom, but much smaller as it gets higher and higher.

21 October, 2009 15:34  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, Dubai is an economic bubble waiting to burst.
Hey ... wait ... wait ... correction :-
Dubai is an economic bubble that has already burst.
Development has nothing to do with shiny high rise buildings and a metro train network.
The lure of Dubai is not faded, but it is already gone.
The only reason why Dubai was whatever little is was, is due to the fact of it's logistical location as a trans-shipment point for merchandise, between the East and the West, hence the opportunity for trading : that's it.
Now, with the changed dynamics, this is a thing of the past.
Dubai is no more a trading hub.
Real estate market has crashed permanently : THE BUBBLE HAS BURST.

03 December, 2009 07:01  
Blogger Flyer said...

So how is Dubai doing now? I have friends who work there while I have never been (I work in the US). Other cultures fascinate me though. Please give us all an update on how Dubai has been doing these past two years. Wish you all the best. Niladri.

08 November, 2011 08:18  

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