DUBAI

Likening visiting Dubai to going to South Africa during apartheid…LOL. Batshit MN response at its finest 😂👏

have its own page on Amnesty International

Doesn't every country have their own page on AI website?

I wouldn't go to any country that has enough human rights issues to have its own page on Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch websites.

It would be like going to South Africa for a holiday in the days of apartheid.

The Emirates generally treat migrant workers appallingly, and anyone who stays in the hotels etc built by those migrant workers is part of the problem imo.

Read my post again. I’m not making excuses and if that was the only reason mumsnet had for the staunch hatred I would understand, but it’s not.

I had some of your concerns, we went and it was great. nothing to worry about. But I do feel a bit guilty about the ethical aspect of supporting their economy.

Not stellar with human rights

I gotta say I agree with this. if visiting a church or any other place of religious worship, it's only common decency to not have bits hanging out...

Homosexuality is illegal, but there is a big gay scene and I know several same sex couples, including married couples, who live there quite happily.

It's also the fact that same people usually happily go or would go to other places where homosexuality is criminalised.

And if mumsnet hatred for Dubai was based on this alone then I would say fair enough! But it’s not. There’s always the faux outrage over ‘womens rights’ and immigrant workers amongst other things. Take a long, hard look at the UK. Women are treated awfully here and so are plenty of workers.

A gay person/couple would be totally safe in Dubai so long as there were no PDA’s (which is heavily frowned upon for hetero couples too)

My biggest complaint in Dubai is lack of sockets in apartments

Nope. I am the visa sponsor for both my kids and my husband. My husband wasn't working at the time and so didn't have an employment income so they wouldn't let him set up an account for the kids either.

It absolutely was a female thing and will be about who can have guardianship over children's funds. I ranted about it a lot to the poor bank person (who was a woman and clearly agreed with me!) but then decided I didn't care enough to fight it.

I know 99% of the time the 'misogynistic' things people complain about come down to needing permission from your sponsor and women often being on their husband's visa. This one was definitely straight sexism.

FYI if you don't know, be careful with the shared bank account. If one of you dies they will freeze funds in it whilst probate is sorted out. DH and I don't have a shared bank account for that reason.

It's fine. I was quite paranoid before we went. Bought lots of new clothes as my usual holiday wardrobe wasn't appropriate.

There are guidelines for what to not wear in certain places. At the pool or beach u wear normal beachwear.

I often covered my shoulders and wore longer dresses but I did still notice getting daggers from locals when we were out in public 🤷🏻‍♀️ despite that lots of other young women were in little tops and hot pants etc. Plenty of folk just wear what they want and ignore guidelines or rules.

At the time I wasn't married to now dh and sharing a room at hotel was fine. No questions asked or anything. They also don't care about what ur wearing in the hotels. They want the tourism so often turn a blind eye.

• I can walk down the street without being leered at/catcalled
• I can also walk in public alone at night without worrying about being raped
• I can go into changing rooms/toilets and not worry that anyone with a penis was in there with me
• I can send my DD to the shops day or night and also not worry about her being abducted or raped. (Whilst I wouldn’t do this I saw many young emirati children in their nighties getting a milkshake from McDonald’s etc unaccompanied by an adult)
• I don’t need to worry about being mugged or having my belongings stolen at knifepoint
• If I’m eating out and need to nip to the loo I don’t need to take my phone etc with me. I can leave it out on the table and know it will be there when I get back
• I feel safe knowing there are strict laws, the crime rate reflects this

^ guess where this list is describing..the UK or Dubai? And that’s just at the very top of my head!

I am NOT saying Dubai or any UAE country is perfect and have no human rights issues. But the truth is, as a woman I am FAR safer in Dubai than in the UK and so are my children. Every time Dubai is mentioned on mumsnet, posters fall over themselves frothing at the mouth denouncing it and anyone who goes and it’s just ridiculous. I hope they have all packed their bags and left the UK as issues are far worse here, especially for women. If you opposite the entire list above, that is describing the UK so please don’t go on about human rights issues and feminism/oppression. Utter rubbish and Islamophobia dressed up.

This ^^

mumsnet does make me laugh when it comes to Dubai. The hypocrisy is quite laughable! Hope all these posters don’t live in the UK because women are treated far worse and are in much more danger here than Dubai.

OP I’ve been to Dubai many times, wear what you like no one will bat an eyelid and you will be very safe. Crime rates are low. Everyone is friendly but keep to themselves. Kids are safe (even if alone, no need to worry they’ll get snatched unlike here!). The UK might as well be a lawless country. Stabbings, rape and abuse by the police let alone civilians, child abduction and abuse, erosion of women only spaces and all this transgender nonsense..the list goes on

I couldn't enjoy myself in a country where it's illegal to be gay. I would feel sickened to fund its economy.

There are signs at the airport that says No public displays of affection. And signs at some restaurants on the doors going out No alcohol or something similar.

And do under any circumstances take photos of UAE in traditional clothes drinking alcohol at hotels, even if they are in the background (at least not in the less touristy hotels).

The UAE is miles safer than the UK.

I used to live there and please don't worry at all. No need to wear maxi length unless that's what you like to wear. What I would advise is that you choose natural fabrics. You'll be much more comfortable. I always wore skirts because I also found them cooler and take a pashmina as indoor spaces can be chilly. The cinemas were always Arctic.

Went a few years ago. It's fine. The people are friendly and welcoming. Not all restaurants sell alcohol. (Didn't bother us)
Very western with McDonalds etc.
Lots of very rich people around and VERY expensive shops.
Went to a huge shopping mall which had a large ice rink. My son loved it 😁

Which hotel?

Honestly, it’s completely fine. Don’t walk around getting drunk and shouting and swearing and you’ll be fine.

It is too hot there now.