Two Questions on Dubai

[Peanutbutteryday]

Sorry if this has been done to death I’ve had a busy day and not been on mumsnet. Also sorry for just focusing on Dubai in my post. It goes without saying that I feel for everyone involved in all countries including Iran

1. I feel like the UK media is light on Dubai coverage given the number of British nationals there. Why? Is the Dubai media not releasing info? or am I just missing seeing coverage

2. I know we don’t have a crystal ball but do we think there could be a mass exodus of Brit’s living there? Or a huge change in the number of people wanting to move there?

There isn’t much to say in the media. A few missiles which were passing over have been shot down and the debris has landed on buildings causing damage.

but for all the frankly gleeful people claiming that this is proof Dubai isn’t safe do you know how many people this week have been the victim of knife crime over there vs the UK? I’ll give you a clue - Dubai is still many times safer.

dubai is unbelievably well off and has invested in great defence. So all the people who have moved there are contributing to that defence with their taxes (no there isn’t income tax but there are other taxes like VAT equivalent so yes they’re all still paying tax over there)

you all sound gleeful and bitter that Dubai is handling this well and life is reasonably normal
over there now bar the odd overly dramatic influencer . And incredibly it sounds like most of you have never even been so are coming from a place of ignorance.

Yes, I've been twice for work. I must admit I was a little snobby about Dubai before hand but I was pleasantly surprised at how safe I felt walking around. I also was impressed with what they've done there. Yes, I'm aware of the issues wth traditional and religious laws and labour exploitation (which I understand is much better regulated now) but I saw a tolerant (as in do what you want in private), diverse and mutlcutlrual soceity.

The Gulf countries are going to hit Iran for what they've done - their response is coming.

I used to live there, so you can let go of the idea that anyone who thinks it's a superficially western-friendly, heavily-censored dictatorship run by a bunch of completely amoral, unaccountable billionaires, which increasingly oppresses even its own citizens who would like a say in how they are governed is a Europe-based 'armchair warrior'. That seems to be a favourite myth of the 'I'm all right, Jack' Brit brigade who can't see beyond cheap domestic labour, aircon and no income tax.

Regarding the exodus of expats returning home, I honestly can’t see it happening. Many will say that now, but as time goes on, they’ll convince themselves to stay. The narrative you see everywhere focuses on safety and defence capability, that they’d rather remain there than live in London, where they feel unsafe walking at night.

In my experience, people who move there tend to hold tightly to their justifications for staying, instead of confronting the uncomfortable realities of the high cost of living, debt cycle, oppression, exploitative labour, human trafficking, and the dark, dark side of life there.

I lived there for just over three years, and I completely agree that your experience depends on the circles you move in. The expat communities can be fantastic, and there are some amazing people
there with a positive mindset and people all work hard. But the lifestyle itself, in my experience, is god awful. Within six weeks of arriving, I had burned through my savings (through necessity not luxury) and started the cycle of credit card debt. The minute my visa processed, my bank account was set up, I was pushed into taking out a credit card (as are many, and as is from what I understand part of the expat onboarding strategy).

My job in professional services was stable, and the high, tax-free salary was appealing but it quickly lost meaning once you factored in the extreme cost of living.

Personally, I ended up in debt, depressed, and struggling with an eating disorder, and sadly, that’s not uncommon. I was lucky enough to have an inheritance that paid for my exit once my three-year visa ended, but many (not saying all, as I can’t possibly know that) others aren’t as fortunate. They become trapped in a cycle of debt and despair /hope that extending their stay will turn around their situation, with little
other choice.

You’ll rarely hear about this online, though. Strict content regulations prevent people from sharing such realities, and most are reluctant to admit the truth to family and friends back home.

My sense is that many expats will craft new narratives to explain why they’re staying rather than returning. What I think is, they’ll desperately want reasons to present that enable them to justify staying, because coming home is hard. It’s a sobering reality check, forcing you to accept a lower standard of living especially with the grim situation the UK finds itself in right now.

Something I’d add to my previous comment is that when people say Dubai is safe and friendly, they’re right, but only on the surface. Living there is a bit like working for a massive company that takes excellent care of its employees’ safety, not out of kindness, but because it benefits the owners. They don’t care if you’re in debt or struggling, in fact, that’s what keeps you tied to the job. But your safety? That’s their priority, because it keeps you working for them too.

@surelycantjustbeme really interesting comment to read. Thank you. Glad you were able to leave and sorry you experienced what you experienced

I have noticed there is already a big social media push with influencers thanking the rulers / saying how happy they are the rulers are keeping them safe such that Dubai still is the safest place. I did notice one influencer was saying this, yet had said the day before they were registering with British government as being in Dubai (why would you need to do this if you trust your rulers).

NB for PPs/anyone reading this, this thread isn’t intended to be Dubai bashing at all, more I’m genuinely interested on views on how things will pan out given how Dubai operates for expats and world wide travel.

There is a really interesting podcast out today. The rest is entertainment. Dubai pay for influences to go out there and sell the city. There are also the fines you get for posting stuff that’s not ‘official’. If you look at all the influencers out there there is definitely a more positive spin on it that I would have expected…🤔

Yes, of course. Which is why Dubai seems to exist in the heads of the kind of people who consume this nonsense as a place apart, a sort of depoliticised holiday destination, which is not in a famously volatile part of the world they probably couldn’t have pointed to on the map.

Exactly. It infuriates me to see influencers, people with no real grasp of real life in Dubai, pushing these false, scripted narratives online. I’m angry as a former expat, so I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for those still living there. The turkey-toothed, tat-sleeved, sockless, soul sacrificed grifters have no understanding of the reality of being there under terms that don’t include being paid big bucks by the government to read a script.

(not a Dubai bash. More of a Dubai influencer bash)

Apparently they hire cars and helicopters by the hour to pose by and never even get to go in. It was quite eye opening who explains why several people have moved there recently. How they have basically signed up to a socialist life even though they are getting away from ‘Bad Britain’.

And the next question they asked is how are they going to sell the city now when some of them actually probably want to get out of there! I have been to Dubai, it’s a great holiday destination but I was fully aware where I was in the world 😂.

Ah thank you - I will have a listen

At last a post from someone who actually experienced the reality of Dubai. I couldn't agree more (having also lived there) with what you say. You also bring up a really valid point about any expat experience that going to live in a foreign country can be easier than coming home again . When we came back we spent a lot of the money we had saved setting up home again in the UK. People who hadn't saved during their time there were often trapped with no ability to come home.

Many of them that have moved there are drawn to the luxurious lifestyle that tax savings offer. However it’s not so glamorous to live in a war zone. I suspect we will get a brief exodus from Dubai but then once the immediate risk is averted then will flock back due to tax savings and because it meets their lifestyle aspirations. Humans are basically simple creatures.

Oh, they're on here as well in considerable numbers. Why wouldn't they be? Lots of dissatisfaction with the UK to be stoked up and turned to account, lots of posts with innocent 'questions' about moving to Dubai and people proclaiming the brilliance of the schools, the delights of Arabian Ranches and the 'lifestyle' and the 'safety' and the wonder of walking the streets without feeling 'threatened' (this last bit written with all the fervour of people who had just been transplanted from downtown Mogadishu in October 1993).

It's more than the 'luxurious lifestyle' is a fiction from a government-sponsored cadre of influencers (who are sponsored with 'golden visas' that entitle them to 10 years residency and other perks) on the condition that they stay on message. They're advertisers. Or more like propagandists for a oppressive, superficially Western-friendly dictatorship, which, with no oil, needs the tourist dollar and a foreign workforce.

Influencers are vermin, a “necessary evil,” as industry and brand partners refer to
them as behind closed doors. You’d think recent events might have humbled them, but instead their content has shifted to a new form of bragging, about how amazing the UAE government is. They will at some point have to lean back on the uk government for some form of assistance, but it’s almost like they can’t wait for something bad to happen in the UK too, just for the content opportunity to smugly compare how the UK government responds versus the UAE.

I genuinely hope the good people living in Dubai stay safe and are protected by the UAE’s resilience. There are some amazing people out there, who would bring so much value with them if they did decide to come back to the UK. They are some of the kindest, positive, smartest, hardworking and open people you will meet. Most move to Dubai as they believe the opportunity is better work wise and family wise. And many have achieved that and have been able to stay for their own positive reasons.

But as for the influencers, I hope this period brings a wake-up call.

You’re not celebrities. Your entire flex is to lie to people online to manipulate them into believing the script you’ve been paid to pedal. Everyone can see through the bots, forced engagement, and fake community hype. No amount of brand deals, crypto schemes, or forex “courses” can fill what’s missing inside. No one’s impressed by your staged flexes. It’s time to stop chasing quick, morally compromising cash and start doing some inner work instead.

People used to say the same thing about Singapore.

Did they? I didn’t know this but possibly was when I was too young to understand?

I have checked Instagram today and have quite a few Dubai residents posting about how great the uae government is. After listening to the podcast recommended on this thread by a pp I am wondering if they’ve been paid to post, or if they genuinely believe it. It’s almost like a cult

He will be watching Every Step They Take 😂

I think it's must become less attractive for those looking for a tax haven/new life in the sun, but unless things escalate significantly, don't expect many will return earlier than planned.

I've also heard it's illegal to most negative stories, and of course, many of those there benefit from the idea that all is rosy/will suffer financial losses if the image is harmed.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603051892

Not just ‘heard’ but written in official guidance regarding safety and security.
Amongst other rules.

Posting online
It is illegal to post material, including videos and photographs, online that is critical of the UAE government, companies or individuals, or which relates to incidents in the UAE. This includes material which appears to abuse, ridicule or criticise the country or its authorities. Material that is culturally insensitive may also be considered illegal.

Media activity
You must apply for the appropriate permissions to carry out media activity, including the production, transmission or distribution of printed, digital, audio, video or visual information. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment and a substantial fine.

UEA has a reputation to protect. This must be a worst nightmare putting investors and their money at risk. Who is going to want to rent/buy/lease or holiday there now?

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/safety-and-security

It’s the ‘nothing to see here’ PR spin, trying to retain their false glitzy image