Dubai is a messed up place.

Mem

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The dark side of Dubai - Johann Hari, Commentators - The Independent

It's a long article but fascinating. They talk about how workers come there from other countries. They have to borrow money to get there and then their passports are taken away and they have to work 16 hours a day, 7 days a week doing construction.

Sewage is thrown into the ocean and it is filthy and dangerous to go in. Female workers (maids) from other countries are abused and they do not have to be paid and their employers hold their passports so they can't leave the country.

If you go into debt there you can not claim bankruptcy, instead you are taken to jail. It's a horrible place. I would never have wanted to go even when I didn't know how bad it was.

They also talk about how oppressively hot it is and how they have no source for water and they have to desalinize ocean water and it costs more for a gallon of that water than a gallon of oil, and how much pollution it costs to make fresh water.
 
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Mem

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You queens are awful. :wink: Anyway the edit function on the title did not work.
 

jrzydvl

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It's Dubya..and He is the best!...Obama can kiss my ass...hope all u supporters out there enjoy the tax hike you voted for!
 

B_Nick8

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It's Dubya..and He is the best!...Obama can kiss my ass...hope all u supporters out there enjoy the tax hike you voted for!

You're new here, aren't you. Perhaps I should shoot you the 5 names that will soon be on your friends list. Oh, no, wait, there are only 4. The other one doesn't have any. Welcome. :smile:
 
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avi8tor

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Hmmm.....Interesting when somebody has never been somewhere says they would never want to go somewhere because of an article somebody writes. As I LIVE in dubai and have for 2 years now, I suggest you get off your hobby horse and actually travel a little.

As you wonder why most americans cant find IRAQ on a map.
 

Mem

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Hmmm.....Interesting when somebody has never been somewhere says they would never want to go somewhere because of an article somebody writes. As I LIVE in dubai and have for 2 years now, I suggest you get off your hobby horse and actually travel a little.

As you wonder why most americans cant find IRAQ on a map.

Read the article and tell me what is not accurate first.
 

B_Nick8

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Hmmm.....Interesting when somebody has never been somewhere says they would never want to go somewhere because of an article somebody writes. As I LIVE in dubai and have for 2 years now, I suggest you get off your high horse and actually travel a little.

My uncle was ambassador to Turkey for 4 years and Saudi for 5, opened the consulate for the UAE, speaks 7 languages fluently and has specialized in the Middle East for most of his career. He has some insights that might interest you.


As you wonder why most americans cant find IRAQ on a map.

I have a vague idea where it might be.
 

Calboner

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Hmmm.....Interesting when somebody has never been somewhere says they would never want to go somewhere because of an article somebody writes. As I LIVE in dubai and have for 2 years now, I suggest you get off your hobby horse and actually travel a little.

As you wonder why most americans cant find IRAQ on a map.
A model of argument by irrelevance.
Read the article and tell me what is not accurate first.
I would be interested in hearing that too.
 

nudeyorker

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Interesting article. I have a couple of friends who went and loved it. I am somewhat hesitant to go until I get a new passport, my current passport has stamps from Israel on the first page and I'm just not in the mood for a drama.
 

Bbucko

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Hmmm.....Interesting when somebody has never been somewhere says they would never want to go somewhere because of an article somebody writes. As I LIVE in dubai and have for 2 years now, I suggest you get off your hobby horse and actually travel a little.

As you wonder why most americans cant find IRAQ on a map.

The Independent is published in London. It's not American.
 

jason_els

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Dubai is like a space station. It exists in a hostile alien environment, costs a fortune to maintain, and really isn't necessary for survival for anyone but the people who run it. It's Disneyworld for rich adults and just as ersatz.

The social hierarchy of the country shouldn't surprise anyone. It's the same social structure of any other Arab nation. At the top are royals with the power to remove your head from your body or send you to prison indefinitely, then there are the tribespeople themselves, then there are the educated and/or wealthy westerners, then there are the laborers. This has been the hierarchy since these countries became independent. It's unfair to single out Dubai as being unique. It's not. Saudi has worked this way since oil was discovered, including the same restrictions on passports and banking. Unlike Dubai, however, westerners in Saudi have to live in walled compounds which are the only places where they can live like westerners (women associating with men, wearing revealing clothing, putting up a Christmas tree, holding non-Muslim religious services, and drinking smuggled or moonshine alcohol). When you go to live in these countries, you have no rights. You are a guest and live at the whim of your host sponsor. You can end-up like that lady living in her car or you could live very well working for a fair employer. You must investigate your sponsor very thoroughly before accepting any position because that person will be your lifeline. You will depend upon him for everything.
 

dong20

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The Independent is published in London. It's not American.

In your own words; "A model of argument by irrelevance" - the OP is an American. Anyway, I'm sure Mem could find Dubai (and Iraq on a map). :wink:

There's a good deal of truth behind the article Mem linked. As always, it's somewhat sensationalised but that doesn't deny that a great deal of exploitation going on there, and it's a worsening situation and it's in no way unique to Dubai.

Many 'immigrants' are leaving because the cost of living in the UAE has risen and the standard of living back 'home' has risen to the point where the earnings imbalance no longer justifies remaining.

The second class status afforded [perhaps the majority of] foreign workers was worthwhile when they could earn three to five times that possible in their native countries. For more and more that's no longer the case, which in the absence of their families leaves little motivation to stay?

A predicatable outcome being that many of those who do still come are among the most desparate and vulnerable, they present easy pickings for unscrupulous agents and employers. For the most part, official organs simply turn a blind eye to such abuse.

I wouldn't characterise Dubai as messed up, so much as ... flawed; worse than many places, but better than more.
 
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Jason - I agree. Does seem very other-worldly - kind've like Vegas-on-Sea.

Haven't read the article yet, so not sure if there's any substance in the claims. I'm sure it'd be interesting to visit - just seems a bit superficial.
 

dong20

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Haven't read the article yet, so not sure if there's any substance in the claims. I'm sure it'd be interesting to visit - just seems a bit superficial.

I seem to recall a BBC programme (or series or something) quite recently - a sort of 'undercover' exposé, although I didn't actually watch it.

Dubai is interesting enough, especially when one escapes the malls and a/c - but not somewhere I could live. It's impressive and the sense of 'wealth' is tangible - but one need not scratch very hard to realise that [in many respects] for many, a great many ... appearances are indeed, deceptive.
 

DGirl

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I worked in Bahrain for two years and that place had the maids passport thing going on. But, that is the way the Middle East works.
I have to say working over in the Middle East was really NOT bad. I really had a ok time and I met a few good friends from India.
I do say I liked working overseas better than the USA. To much RACE crap in the STATES.."
I got to know the world that I only heard about and I really seen and learned a lot. I say forget the BAD veiws of a place and go see for yourself. You can either love your time or hate it.."