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I live in Dubai, ask me anything

1000 replies

britindubai · 20/10/2026 06:34

Ask away, I’ll give you my honest thoughts and opinions

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
PinkWaffleMaker · 20/10/2026 06:41

Does it feel less safe now with everything going on with Iran and Israel?

Have additional public safety measures been put in place for the public?

TheExtraGuineaPig · 20/10/2026 06:50

What do you think about all the foreign workers (construction, domestic etc) and the conditions, restrictions, hours etc they have to work under?

OhHobnobs · 20/10/2026 06:51

Why Dubai? How long have you been? How long will you stay?

britindubai · 20/10/2026 06:58

PinkWaffleMaker · 20/10/2026 06:41

Does it feel less safe now with everything going on with Iran and Israel?

Have additional public safety measures been put in place for the public?

Great question.

Right now it feels no different to before it happened. The UAE are not directly in conflict with either country and have only acted in defence which gives me some level of confidence however it obviously plays on my mind and it’s still very volatile around us.

Safety measures are in place which has allowed businesses, schools, retail etc to continue as normal.

OP posts:
JustCallinSick · 20/10/2026 07:00

Is it really as beautifully clean as it looks in various social media content ?

iamnotalemon · 20/10/2026 07:06

You’ll have people frothing at the mouth with this thread OP. (I live in Dubai too).

britindubai · 20/10/2026 07:14

TheExtraGuineaPig · 20/10/2026 06:50

What do you think about all the foreign workers (construction, domestic etc) and the conditions, restrictions, hours etc they have to work under?

Ok so I struggle with this one a little, lots of conflict around construction workers and modern slavery being what Dubai is built on but these workers wouldn’t have this opportunity in their home country so they are better off so to speak. They are not shackled at the ankle and made to work all hours either, they have decent working conditions, with no work during intense heat during peak hours across the summer etc and make a good living versus what they could possibly only dream to make in their home country.

Domestic help such as nannies/housemaids - I personally don’t have any home help and from what I hear and have witnessed I would never want one. Again they are here for similar reasons as above however they are not qualified or trained to look after children, do house chores etc. But they serve a huge community of people out here, and it is very common to have help in countries out this way. What does make me laugh though is how many brits have them living in their homes (I get it because they work and have no village around them for help) but a complete stranger living in your home raising your children? Yet you have to spend hours/days/months training them how to do it all, most put cameras up in their homes to keep an eye on them because they are not trustworthy, a bit laughable really!

OP posts:
britindubai · 20/10/2026 07:18

OhHobnobs · 20/10/2026 06:51

Why Dubai? How long have you been? How long will you stay?

Tax free

Been here for a year

Plan to do at least 5-6 years

OP posts:
britindubai · 20/10/2026 07:23

JustCallinSick · 20/10/2026 07:00

Is it really as beautifully clean as it looks in various social media content ?

There are so many beautifully clean places here, the airport, malls, hotels, communities and so on are so clean they sparkle.

But of course we are in the desert with lots of sand and still lots of construction taking place so the dust is a daily battle but overall I find it all quite clean.

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 20/10/2026 07:23

Does the raw sewage still spill onto the roads?

britindubai · 20/10/2026 07:24

iamnotalemon · 20/10/2026 07:06

You’ll have people frothing at the mouth with this thread OP. (I live in Dubai too).

Haha I’m quite surprised there isn’t a thread on this already

OP posts:
britindubai · 20/10/2026 07:25

shellyleppard · 20/10/2026 07:23

Does the raw sewage still spill onto the roads?

Is this a thing? Never seen or heard this happen

OP posts:
gravitarse · 20/10/2026 07:27

How do you feel about the lack of rights for homosexuals where you live?
Do you feel you are supporting inequality

shellyleppard · 20/10/2026 07:27

@britindubai long long time ago (1979) . Remember the cars all skidding across the road 🤣🤣

Maisymouse2 · 20/10/2026 07:34

Do you miss the countryside back in the Uk?
Is it all inside under air con or alot of outside living as well?
Is it quite a shallow city? all $$ but what is the Dubai people like towards you?

britindubai · 20/10/2026 07:35

gravitarse · 20/10/2026 07:27

How do you feel about the lack of rights for homosexuals where you live?
Do you feel you are supporting inequality

The UAE is a Muslim country, why on earth would they support something that goes against their religion?

OP posts:
britindubai · 20/10/2026 07:36

shellyleppard · 20/10/2026 07:27

@britindubai long long time ago (1979) . Remember the cars all skidding across the road 🤣🤣

Oh wow, I’m pleased that doesn’t happen anymore. I imagine it didn’t smell to good either!

OP posts:
britindubai · 20/10/2026 07:47

Maisymouse2 · 20/10/2026 07:34

Do you miss the countryside back in the Uk?
Is it all inside under air con or alot of outside living as well?
Is it quite a shallow city? all $$ but what is the Dubai people like towards you?

We spend the summer between the UK and Europe as the desert heat is quite intense and we plan to do this every year.

Right now the temperatures are perfect and we do lots of activities outdoors, it should stay this way through to around May. So we only spend a couple of months braving the heat and doing things indoors. It’s kind of the reverse of the UK with cold wet months through Autumn/winter staying indoors. I feel you get more outside time here for sure.

There is an obscene amount of wealth in Dubai. The local Emiratis are some of the nicest people I have possibly ever met. It doesn’t feel particularly shallow to me, no different to any other major city in the world.

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 20/10/2026 07:49

The very fact you have started a thread means you are either putting yourself at risk legally or are merely going to repeat the official government line.

Do you think it's possible for all Brits in Dubai to answer questions honestly under the threat of arrest if say anything about the military situation being bad or concerning or are critical of the UAE government in anyway?

There's no such thing as the ability to be 'honest' about Dubai. Being honest means you are free to say something negative, which you aren't, so you will avoid any difficult questions, self-censor or hand wave and merely repeat what you are supposed to rather than say anything 'honest'.

It is a put up or shut up culture. If you are an expat and dont like this you go home or learn to deal with that. There is no option B.

It's a fundamentally dishonest thread for that reason because it implies that if you weren't happy you'd be able to state that. You aren't. So all this thread can be is state propaganda for UAE or you are incredibly foolish and putting yourself at significant risk. Everyone reading this thread should be very mindful of this.

It'll be interesting how influencers cope if Iran's threat to destroy the internet cables is carried out. Weirdly we won't know about this though, because they'll be unable to share how it's affecting them with us. It'll just all go quiet.

TallSturdyGirls · 20/10/2026 07:51

Approximately 1.3% of people are living as slaves in the UAE and Dubai. Slightly higher with women and the many are forced into being raped daily in often in very violent ways.

The life expectancy of migrant labours from Asia is nearly half that of those from Europe due to dangerous working conditions and violence.

Mental health issues are very high due to workers frequently face illegal recruitment fees, debt bondage, passport confiscation, restricted movement, withheld or delayed wages, and threats of being reported for "absconding" if they try to leave poor conditions.
Do you ever think about how, by being there, you are supporting this?
Do you walk past people who have been slaves and think about their lives?
Would you help someone if they asked for help (say a friends "maid")?

Lemonfrost · 20/10/2026 07:52

Well, @RedToothBrush, I am interested in OP's thread and her answers. I have been to Dubai multiple times and its quite clear to me she IS being honest in her responses.

Lemonfrost · 20/10/2026 07:54

TallSturdyGirls · 20/10/2026 07:51

Approximately 1.3% of people are living as slaves in the UAE and Dubai. Slightly higher with women and the many are forced into being raped daily in often in very violent ways.

The life expectancy of migrant labours from Asia is nearly half that of those from Europe due to dangerous working conditions and violence.

Mental health issues are very high due to workers frequently face illegal recruitment fees, debt bondage, passport confiscation, restricted movement, withheld or delayed wages, and threats of being reported for "absconding" if they try to leave poor conditions.
Do you ever think about how, by being there, you are supporting this?
Do you walk past people who have been slaves and think about their lives?
Would you help someone if they asked for help (say a friends "maid")?

Do you ever think about these very similar problems occurring in the UK?

Tel12 · 20/10/2026 07:55

Have you got a plan if it all kicks off?

britindubai · 20/10/2026 07:58

RedToothBrush · 20/10/2026 07:49

The very fact you have started a thread means you are either putting yourself at risk legally or are merely going to repeat the official government line.

Do you think it's possible for all Brits in Dubai to answer questions honestly under the threat of arrest if say anything about the military situation being bad or concerning or are critical of the UAE government in anyway?

There's no such thing as the ability to be 'honest' about Dubai. Being honest means you are free to say something negative, which you aren't, so you will avoid any difficult questions, self-censor or hand wave and merely repeat what you are supposed to rather than say anything 'honest'.

It is a put up or shut up culture. If you are an expat and dont like this you go home or learn to deal with that. There is no option B.

It's a fundamentally dishonest thread for that reason because it implies that if you weren't happy you'd be able to state that. You aren't. So all this thread can be is state propaganda for UAE or you are incredibly foolish and putting yourself at significant risk. Everyone reading this thread should be very mindful of this.

It'll be interesting how influencers cope if Iran's threat to destroy the internet cables is carried out. Weirdly we won't know about this though, because they'll be unable to share how it's affecting them with us. It'll just all go quiet.

I hear you and totally appreciate that.

The point of my thread is to ask anything about Dubai, not solely about the conflict in the surrounding regions. So my answer is truthful on the question that was asked. Areas in the Middle East have been volatile for decades.

We can only speculate on any situation like this. The affects of what have happened are felt worldwide and who knows what could happen anywhere at any time

OP posts:
NormasArse · 20/10/2026 07:58

britindubai · 20/10/2026 07:18

Tax free

Been here for a year

Plan to do at least 5-6 years

Why don’t you want to pay tax?

For context, I consider it a privilege to be part of a society that cares for everyone within it, and am proud to contribute to that.

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