DS has been offered jobs in Qatar and UAE

You can't "ask" him to consider anything, OP, because it's nothing to do with you.

Why is this board so full of parents who constantly want to interfere in their adult children's lives? It's so depressing.

We have relations in Dubai and I struggle to understand how two intelligent people can close their minds to the human rights abuses. I haven't been out to see them and neither has DH.

They keep talking about coming back and bought a house to facilitate that, but it's let as a holiday cottage unless they need to use it for a few weeks. I think it must be difficult to leave once you get used to vast income, paid staff and all the ex-pat jollification.

"We need to get with it"? What, get with being ok about women having a chaperone outside the home until marriage?
I'll pass thanks.

There’s no harm discussing it with him, as you might discuss other things.

As a 26yr old, he’ll have a great time. The most important thing for him to remember is that these are strict Muslim countries. Although he may have a good life - socialising etc it’s a bubble. If he has a good solid offer (not a flakey contract), and as long as he remembers that he’s in a fake bubble, sticks to their rules and doesn’t drink too much, he’ll be fine.

Agree with @Diomi about the hypocrisy (not yours but the west in general).

@useitorlose why do they ask if you are married?

Also what job are you in? Low income?

I’d be very disappointed if one of my kids did this. The ‘lifestyle’ people boast about is based on the slave Labour of others. Or not far off it.

As a woman living and working in the UAE, I can assure you that I'm not oppressed and neither are my friends and colleagues. Emirati culture includes arranged marriage in some instances, but that's also widespread in lots of other countries and cultures.

I appreciate that spaces for women are protected here and I don't have to deal with gender neutral toilets and changing rooms. The Metro has a ladies carriage. I just had to get used to the fact that they ask 'are you married' before they ask 'could you be pregnant' when you have an x ray!

It's a great place to live and work at any age, I'd encourage him to give it a go.

Is it a good career move? What’s the form like and is this a long term move or will he get opportunities in other regions? Does he speak Arabic or have a particular understanding of the financial world there?

Yes

It will be a good opportunity for him to experience other cultures and broaden his horizons.

I get it @Sooptimisim . I would not be happy about my son going there BUT I wouldn't tell him. I would just tell him to read up on current affairs so that he knows what he's going into (send links). Because men can get in trouble as well in Islamic countries...Just think about the british man jailed for having consentual sex with someone his age!

Exactly. It’s easy to virtue signal.

I don’t believe either of you.
It wouldn’t be my choice if holiday destination to be fair, but if I was offered million/millions to go, of course I bloody would! And anyone who’s trying to be all virtuous…that’s madness. It’s not like it’s Afghanistan or Syria.

At age 26, this really has nothing to do with you. Be supportive and let him follow his own path.

@RosaMoline some people have principles

It was certainly the case when I lived there that it was said that it tended to be the mediocre who couldn’t hack it elsewhere who took up finance jobs in Dubai. (Not my field, but I had law and banking friends who came out from London to consult for short periods when finance/bankruptcy laws were being written.) Quite apart from the fact that it was the dullest place I’ve ever lived, and that I found the climate depressing, and its increasing track record of oppressing even its own citizens, he should ask around very seriously about what taking a job in the UAE is likely to mean for his career longterm.

Beg him not to go.

Yes, because most people, particularly women, don't want to prostitute themselves in such a way. Not everyone is seduced by excess bling and common displays of wealth, nor will they overlook a lack of human rights for money.
But you go for it...

At 26, one would think that's he's au fait enough with the situation in such countries. The no alcohol and treatment of women has been known for decades. Nurses, medics, engineers, etc, are all told about the 'rules and regulations' before they go. They know there are rules for their enclaves and rules for outside the enclave.
He has a choice to make. Does he go with his morals or the opportunity to make shitloads of money?

I would advise him to research carefully and make sure he thoroughly understands what he needs to do to stay out of trouble. And do his homework on any offers and make sure they are really solid. I would not try to change his mind about going. And look on the bright side: he may be able to make a lot of money there (housing deposit?), and he's unlikely to want to stay out there long-term as there aren't very easy pathways to long-term residence/citizenship there.

So, in theory, if you were offered say a minimum of one million to go on a week’s holiday in Dubai (all paid for) you’d refuse?!?

Looks like @Cutecuddle has met a grisly end.

I wouldn't want my kids working there either, but it's up to him. I would make suggest he works out if its financially worthwhile, the wages can be really good, but it's an expensive place to live too.

Call me ridiculous if you want, but no I would not go.

The troll is trolling all over MN. They are just lookimg to get reaction. Ignore (and report as few of us did).