Meant to be moving to Dubai in 4 weeks

You seem too narrow minded to understand that some people have standards and wouldn’t live somewhere that isn’t in line with their standards.

It’s not a case of being superior, it’s surprising that someone emigrating to another area doesn’t know where on the map that is.

I could not be more sure that if I was going to emigrate I would find out where the country I was emigrating to was!

@Midsommermadness Ignore everyone giving you a hard time for not realising just how close Iran would be. I do wonder just how many of them had to check google maps themselves, I would put money on it being quite a lot.

Exactly!!

I'm always suspicious of people who need to attempt to prove their superiority...

Many, many countries around the world have thoroughly dodgy regimes and/or human rights issues, deep poverty and inequality, terrible treatment of women, and some are funded much by drugs and dodgy money, like some places in South America. At the same time, millions and millions of Brits and other Westerners travel to those places. Of course you have a point in what you list, but as a foreigner, you are not going to be able to change those regimes, and staying away hurts locals. You also deny yourself the opportunity to experience the positive sides of these places. They have wonderful culture and history, and the people are often so friendly. I have an Iranian friend who left years ago for the West. She comes from a historic city in Iran called Isfahan. I've seen pictures; it is absolutely stunning, with famous tilework. I really wish I could see it. If the ME was a lot safer, I would travel further in the region, to experience its history, culture, food, people.

The tilework in Isfahan was all done by an ancient technique. She explained it to me, but I can't remember the details.

Anyway, I'm not sure that it does us and them any good to remain entrenched in the West because of the dodgy things others have done, which are not the average ME person's fault, instead of experiencing these places for ourselves. (Obviously not at the moment!!) Travel broadens the mind and connects us to people and cultures we wouldn't otherwise be party to if we just judge a place on its worst aspects.

Isfahan:
Argh, the tilework isn't as clear on this image as it is on my monitor. Anyway, you can't see it as such, but each tile is tiny.

Jesus christ. Dubai is dangerous before any of this. It is a sht show for women. Take this as a sign not to move.

Ignore everyone giving you a hard time for not realising just how close Iran would be. I do wonder just how many of them had to check google maps themselves, I would put money on it being quite a lot.

You will just have to play it day by day but just keep in mind that even if it does settle down soon, the situation in the Middle East is not going away. It’s not a place I’d want to bring up my kids but that’s for you and your husband to decide.

Do some research on the region so you can have a better understanding of the many conflicts and why it’s likely there’s more to come.

I suspect you're trolling.

You're probably aware that, during the building of the Burj, human rights groups documented conditions that sometimes resembled debt bondage, which the International Labour Organization (a specialised UN organisation dedicated to promoting international labour rights) classifies as a form of modern forced labour.
Common reported issues during the 2000s construction boom in the UAE included:
• Recruitment fees charged in home countries (putting workers in heavy debt before arrival)
• Passport confiscation
• Low wages (often $150-$300/month at the time)
• Overcrowded labour camps
• Limited ability to change jobs or leave due to visa sponsorship rules (the 'kafala' system)
In 2006, workers on the Burj Khalifa site went on strike over wages and conditions.

Glad you enjoyed your meals, though.

No you are both on the totally boring unhelpful step, and by the looks of how this thread is going, you are going to be joined by other similarly limited types, so squeeze up!

Technically, no it hasn't. Sheikh Maktoum died in January 2006, and was succeeded by Sheikh Mohammed. But practically, it has, since Maktoum was so hands off, leaving everything to Mohammed.

I'm guessing you're laughing because my dealings with Dubai were a long time ago, but it's got the same ruler now as then.

I'd be very careful of taking too much advice from MN. I have been here "since it was all fields" and have realised over the years there are a lot of left wing, superior, sanctimonious attitudes on here that I never encounter in real life.
Of course Dubai is near to some unstable countries but so are many places.

I'd give this some time to settle then talk to your friends who live out there again but please don't make decisions based on the opinions of anonymous folk online

Honestly, I dont think most people who holiday in Dubai go to experience it's history, culture or even food. Hotels, malls and pools are what most tourists seek. And maybe a night in the desert.

Christ I wouldn’t be going anywhere near Dubai and certainly wouldn’t want to fly anywhere near Arab air space for sometime!
Call off the move ASAP & I hope your employers keep you both on here!

Well, that's a very odd reaction. I described my experiences. Don't know what else to tell you!

I think it broadens the mind to go to places which are very different from home. Seems a pity to reject the culture, history, food, and people of a country because of its awful government. The people didn't choose it and it's not their fault. And many of them rely on tourism.

My mouth has literally dropped open !

The Qataris might have been generous and welcoming, but all those World Cup venues were built using literal slave labour.

Our NHS might be struggling, but at least we have it and it's free. Health care in many ME countries is appalling, and expensive.

Many ME countries have a 'veneer' of Westernisation, but make no mistake - they are Muslim Arab underneath that shiny surface. There is very little freedom of speech. And woe betide you if you piss off a member of the Royal family...

And as for great policing - it can be very difficult as a westerner to bring a case against a Dubai local.

Yes the sun shines, you can earn great money tax free, but it comes at a price.

The problem is Dubai and parts of the middle east have been really glamorised now so everyone wants to move there. Then something like this happens and you get a reality check

^This is what happens when you spend your time on Instagram and TikTok rather than educating yourself about the world.

I don’t care if that sounds snobby. It’s still a factual statement.

Yep. This is why figures like Kate Ferdinand and Luisa Zissman make statements about their faith that the Dubai government will keep them safe, even as they post about how scary the bombardments are as they shelter in their basements. There isn't full freedom of speech:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15604195/Kate-Ferdinand-Dubai-missile-strikes.html

I think many people wouldn't fall for the glamour hype! The glitter and gold, the lifestyle, upmarket hotels and malls,.is all a facde to entice but its not !real' its in a very unstable part of the world ( for many yrs).
Human rights and especially for women are supposedly good however look past the positive headlines and there are lots of stories proving otherwise.
Im not saying its not a place to go to work in ( i wouldn't but have family who are out there) but to go without researching what is going on in and around it. is extremely naive!

Dubai is chavtastic from an expat pov.

Plans best put on hold OP.

Oooooooooookay.

I had exactly the same thought Greencandlewax.

She's looked on Google Maps for her DH'S office, neighbourhoods and supermarkets, but not at a map of where it actually is in relation to other ME countries.

Also, this war has been a matter of when not if for some time now - it's certainly not a surprise. OP has obviously not been following political reporting.

I wonder if OP is aware of the horrendous traffic, which means going even a short distance takes forever.

And that in the summer months temperatures of 40+ are normal, no-one goes out during the day.

And there's almost no grass or trees.

And it's soulless.

But apart from that, everyone wants to move there...

😆