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AIBU?

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Original poster

New Dubai and - deeply uncomfortable

234 replies

UnderTheStairs51 · 31/01/2025 23:58

There seems to be a new ad promoting Dubai as a holiday destination.

The one that starts and ends with 'swim first'.

I have been sad enough to pause it and hands are bare of rings walking through the market so no indication they are a married couple.

You'd run a risk to behave in the way shown on a public beach surely. They are not in swimming gear so what's the implication here?

I do think people should understand local rules when they visit other places but this seems to send out a message completely at odds with this.

Just me?

OP posts:
kattaduck · 01/02/2025 02:24

ToothHurtyAppointment · 01/02/2025 01:26

I don’t really understand what you’re saying. I always see so much bashing of Dubai on here, but it’s not like how it’s portrayed on mumsnet. I lived there for a few years while teaching, and it is the safest place I’ve ever lived - I’ve lived in several
countries. I don’t live in the UK so haven’t seen the ad, but exactly what behaviours is the ad showing which would “run the risk”? Because I never wore my wedding ring when I lived there (I still don’t), and despite frolicking around on the beach and by the pool in a bikini and holding hands/kissing my husband in public, nobody batted an eyelid. Should have I been chucked in jail or beheaded or something??

Wasn't some 18 year old kid just arrested for having sex with a 17 year old?
There was also the arrest of a woman who was gang raped.
Yes life is easier for rich expats but let's not kid yourself on what this easy life is build on and how easily it can slip away if you decide to become a citizen for example. Holidaying in Dubai isn't the same as holidaying in Spain

SometimesCalmPerson · 01/02/2025 02:23

No, you’d be fine.

Maybe you should try and learn a little about the reality of a place before you start making assumptions based on prejudice.

Bankholidayhelp · 01/02/2025 02:15

Mmmmm, I didn't notice the lack of rings when I saw that ad. But I did comment that I hoped the couple were married. Although holding hands does seem to be 'allowed' . So maybe not disingenuous ?

ToothHurtyAppointment · 01/02/2025 01:26

I don’t really understand what you’re saying. I always see so much bashing of Dubai on here, but it’s not like how it’s portrayed on mumsnet. I lived there for a few years while teaching, and it is the safest place I’ve ever lived - I’ve lived in several
countries. I don’t live in the UK so haven’t seen the ad, but exactly what behaviours is the ad showing which would “run the risk”? Because I never wore my wedding ring when I lived there (I still don’t), and despite frolicking around on the beach and by the pool in a bikini and holding hands/kissing my husband in public, nobody batted an eyelid. Should have I been chucked in jail or beheaded or something??

Potsofpetals · 01/02/2025 01:01

It would be dark day before you got me in that back hole of hell.

You can and will be arrested for any ridiculous reason they chose fit.

PocketBattleship · 01/02/2025 00:57

It's a TV ad for visit Dubai

Yes, it's a TV ad, the whole and only point of which is to make it look appealing. If you have a big enough problem with it to provoke kvetching to the internet then contact the ASA, not Mumsnet.

Original poster
UnderTheStairs51 · 01/02/2025 00:12

It's a TV ad for visit Dubai. Been on about every ad break I've seen tonight but I don't have a link.

I can't see it on you tube yet to share..

OP posts:
NowThatYouSayIt · 01/02/2025 00:00

Can you post a link to the ad? It’s hard to understand what you’re saying.

Original poster
UnderTheStairs51 · 31/01/2025 23:59

Autocorrect replaced Ad with and in the title!

OP posts:
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