Would you go to Dubai?

[Londonscummymummy]

Would you go to Dubai?

My husband is interested in going and thanks it is unreasonable that I've always said I wouldn't go there. He thinks I should compromise since he would like to go.

The reason I don't want to go is mainly because of the treatment of women and gay people. (I'm also not fussed about the "shopping and money" type culture that a holiday there would be about). He says Dubai isn't going to care about my personal protest but I say I'm not "protesting" - I just wouldn't feel right or comfortable morally.

He argues there are plenty of countries in the world with attitudes / laws we don't agree with but we don't boycott them all. His example is gun ownership in the US. I argue that I may disagree with certain laws in some countries (ie death penalty, gun ownership), but that not many countries have such levels of state oppression enshrined in law, and none I would travel to.

I don't feel my position is that unusual but he thinks it is very unusual and inflexible. He knows a lot of friends / colleagues of his who've been.

I don't fancy it. It seems to be full of "new money" types who just go there to pose and show off their designer bags. I don't think I'd like the atmosphere.

I've transited Dubai many times on the way to other places, but never left the airport. One of these days I should spend a couple if nights there just to see what it's all about. But it's not a place I'd choose for a full holiday.

Nothing to do with human rights or the treatment of women (which is a lot better than some other ME states) just because it's so built up and glitzy.

It's weird that MN is so fixated on Dubai and its human rights issue. It's got a way to go, but there are worse/as bad places that no-one gives a thought to when they plan their holidays.

Where are other holiday destinations that are worse for human rights?

This sums up why I would not choose to visit. Lots of people seem to forget the laws around alcohol, unmarried couples, same sex couples. It is tolerated for the sake of encouraging tourism, but I wouldn’t trust the authorities or police one little bit.

No, it doesn't appeal at all.

I think you're being very reasonable, OP, and I completely agree with all your objections. I'm sure your husband can think of somewhere else he'd like to go that appeals to both of you.

Never been, never would.

I lived there and was treated very nicely, had no issues with being a woman. Actually I saw many benefits including women only train carriages. I am also not orange or have particularly white teeth. I think there are many sides to Dubai which aren’t in the media or insta worthy. You don’t hear much about camping in the desert or kayaking in the mangroves for example.
it of course isn’t perfect and the treatment of some workers is appalling. However there is also highly suspect behavior in the US with death penalty, anti abortions, treatment of black peoples by police, factory workers forced to wear nappies aa not allowed toilet breaks etc.
I think if you want a holiday based around a nice hotel and beaches you can’t go far wrong with Dubai.

A modern incredibly wealthy country that relies on exploitation of cheap labour? Modern slavery?

I am not remotely interested in bling, ostentatious luxury and wanton misuse of resources. The functioning of the place is an environmental nightmare. I don’t need such places to be built for my entertainment. I feel the same about Las Vegas.

I would love to visit other Arab places. Petra in Jordan, parts of Oman , for the history and culture.

Not the type of place I'd ever want to go to. Everything is man-made, artificial and superficial.

No. It’s trashy, misogynistic, and racist.

I have been and I'm planning to return this year.

Okay, let's focus on one issue for now. Homosexuality being illegal.

If you've been to the Caribbean, odds are you stayed in a country where being homosexuality is banned. Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia...you name it.

Anyone been to... Singapore? Malaysia? Egypt? Sri Lanka? Morocco? The Maldives? Same applies

Anyone who's been on safari has probably been to Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi or Zambia.

In 69 countries, homosexuality is outlawed. And embarrassingly, more than half are ex colonies of Great Britain. Yet most people who go to those places don't even know of that law. And if they did, I doubt they'd choose not to go.

But Dubai...

I don't understand the current MN or social media obsession with Dubai or Arab countries TBH

Do any of you who wouldn’t go believe a woman should be able to chose an abortion at 13 weeks?

Would you still visit Dublin.

What about a trip to The Isle of Man?

Did it as a stopover , awful artificial soulless place- felt a breath of relief when we arrived in Sri Lanka

@Newnamenewme23 here is the info on the league table of human rights in various countries

www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/human_rights_rule_law_index/

No for above reasons and too bloody hot for another. And I do know about everything being air conditioned, thanks.

At the risk of being controversial would it be churlish to point out that despite what many think about Dubai and all that is supposed to go on there many Brits are quite happy to put money the way of one of the Dubai Government's sovereign wealth funds...

From 2019:

simpleflying.com/emirates-united-kingdom-capacity/

Ever been to Egypt? Sri Lanka? Turkey? Cuba?

All relatively popular but people don’t seem to bat an eyelid.

I'm going in April for the second time

Yes. I'd go.

absolutely not. Even apart from the human rights abuses the touristy bits look like a hot mall.

Ah it's about time for our weekly Dubai thread 🫠

I'm a sucker for tacky glitz and shopping, but no I don't think I could bring myself to go. How about Vegas instead?