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Original poster

Would you go to Dubai?

115 replies

Londonscummymummy · 12/02/2023 13:52

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.

OP posts:
mackthepony · 12/02/2023 19:04

No, it's way down my list of countries to visit.

Witsendwilly · 12/02/2023 19:04

pinkhousesarebest · 12/02/2023 19:00

No and also when there is a whole big world to go to, why would you choose to go there?

It’s not a particularly long flight from the Uk. The weather is almost guaranteed to be great. The beaches are spotless. The food is some of the best in the world. The hotels are stunning. Superb shopping.

Its not a cultural or scenic break, but if you want a real chill out in luxury it’s hard to beat.

BethDuttonsTwin · 12/02/2023 19:05

Yes I would and have several times. It’s great fun 😊

mackthepony · 12/02/2023 19:05

Fair enough the Americans aren't angels but they don't execute people for being gay do they? Or kissing in the street?

MissMaple82 · 12/02/2023 19:19

No. Tell him to go on his own if he's that desperate

saraclara · 12/02/2023 19:24

Ooops. I got my Dubai threads muddied up. I thought I was on the one where people were trying to put off someone who was being asked to go for four days for work.

AnotherNameChangeYes · 12/02/2023 19:31

I’ve been as a family member lives there and earns very nicely for doing so. Enjoyed it. Probably wouldn’t have been top of my list if I didn’t have a reason to go.

ThePoshUns · 12/02/2023 19:31

I have no interest in going there whatsoever

SaltyGod · 12/02/2023 19:35

Yes. I've been several times before and would go again.

I've also been to USA, Sri Lanka, Caribbean, Singapore and China.

So I can't really judge one and not the others, all with their problems but happy to visit

Return2thebasic · 12/02/2023 19:36

No. Obviously it's not a big deal in your DH's mind. But no, I'd rather tell him to go there alone if he wants. But my dignity as a woman doesn't allow me to compromise.

AnOldCynic · 12/02/2023 19:37

No.

vitahelp · 12/02/2023 19:37

I’ve been, it was somewhere I wanted to see for myself so I could understand it better. I did enjoy the trip, I particularly enjoyed visiting the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and witnessing the call to prayer there. I also enjoyed a visit to the desert and I did like experiencing the glamour of Dubai.

However I must admit to finding it sad that somewhere so rooted in religion has basically sold its soul to make money/become infamous. The hotels/tourism is a direct contradiction of the faith which is so prominent there. However similar contradictions can be found here in a more subtle way.

WomanFromTheNorth · 12/02/2023 19:39

No because it's full of wankers - apart from everything else.

Botheredland · 12/02/2023 19:43

Yes I love it and would go again. There's far worse places regarding human rights. I doubt many of you know or give a shit really.

Witsendwilly · 12/02/2023 19:57

WomanFromTheNorth · 12/02/2023 19:39

No because it's full of wankers - apart from everything else.

Where did you stay when you went? I didn’t find that to be the case at all

ABigSpot · 12/02/2023 19:57

No, because Dubai don't get the flintstones...

...but Abu Dhabi Do

(I'll get my coat)

gogohmm · 12/02/2023 20:07

I wouldn't go, partly due to the politics and partly because there's nothing there that interests me - baking hot desert and air conditioned malls, not my thing. Yes he's right we overlook aspects we don't believe in but it simply has no redeeming qualities. Anyway they don't welcome people like us who don't have paperwork (in the form of a marriage certificate)! I would transit there if the flights were cheaper to Australia, my principals have a ceiling Grin

AG247 · 12/02/2023 20:38

Hi OP! I very much felt the same way as you and admire your commitment to the cause. I actually ended up visiting last year as a very dear friend is a local (Dubai national, not expat or anything) so I bit the bullet to see them.

I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Firstly, I saw many many openly gay people in Dubai. That included locals, and lesbian couples (plenty of Arab ones too!) and upon spending time with many who hail from the region, they were surprisingly open minded and nonchalant about the whole thing. A lot of attitudes were similar to our own, though that said I wouldn’t have been mixing with any ultra conservatives either.

My guess, on the matter, is that in order to not upset the ‘balance’ and by that I mean neighbouring conservative allies, outdated laws are staying in place in name only. I believe it would be very very rare for anything untoward to happen to a gay couple visiting, or most women for that matter.

That also said, there are plenty of countries I visit that have dubious governments and protocols I definitely do not agree with; but the local and host populations can be wonderful. Governments do not always reflect the heart of a country. So, looking at it that way you may want to have a think about it! You’re not wrong in either decision you make.

Witsendwilly · 12/02/2023 21:55

Well. That sensible and rational post from someone who has been has shit down all posters who have never been and do r know what they are talking about 😂

Shitfather · 12/02/2023 22:10

It’s vile.
Go to Oman instead.

notimagain · 12/02/2023 22:15

Oman certainly has more going for it in many ways...however it's still worth a read of the FCO advice/info..

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/oman/local-laws-and-customs

Shitfather · 12/02/2023 22:20

I’ve been to Oman 3 times and never had any issues. It is a Muslim country, but has far better human rights than Dubai. The FCO is advice is standard for countries in that region. Doesn’t mean they are barbarians.

noimaginationforausername · 12/02/2023 22:29

Yes.. I went with my husband and kids last April and we loved it so are going back this October. I was prepared to hate it as I'm not your "typical" Dubai visitor but there was loads to do especially for the kids, mine are 9 & 15 and loved the water park. I also loved how amazingly clean it was.

I never wanted to go but said yea for dh and kids and like I said we really liked it.

ciaocupcake · 12/02/2023 22:29

If you buy stuff from China then I can't see why you'd be so het up about going to Dubai.

notimagain · 12/02/2023 22:31

Shitfather · 12/02/2023 22:20

I’ve been to Oman 3 times and never had any issues. It is a Muslim country, but has far better human rights than Dubai. The FCO is advice is standard for countries in that region. Doesn’t mean they are barbarians.

Don't disagree with some of that (I've also been to both) but I'd suggest it is interesting to compare and contrast the FCO advice about both UAE and Oman.