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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why people go on holiday to Dubai

108 replies

AllFallDown · 30/03/2011 19:57

I realise every country has its ethical issues. But Dubai? How can people bear to go to a place being built on slave labour - and not the slave labour of 150 years ago, but right now.

OP posts:
FellatioNelson · 31/03/2011 12:45

Having said all that, I have never felt unsafe in the souks, as I have had my husband with me and I have dressed appropriately so as not to cause offence or become an object of curiosity or derision. The only time I have ever felt uncomfortable was when I went to Oman for my 40th and I went into a mall in a t-shirt that was a rather too cleavagey (I'm a buxom girl) and two Omani men of about 20 took an obvious detour to get a good look at this middle aged floosy showing her wares, and prompty both burst out laughing. Shock But that was my own fault - I should have known better.

Onetoomanycornettos · 31/03/2011 13:00

I am no defender of Dubai, indeed it does have a dark underbelly (as indeed do many many countries including our own in respect of trafficked women and prostitution). However, some of the remarks on this thread are plain ignorant! Stoning? Women covered up? It's not Saudi, it's by far the most tolerant of the Arabic states towards women, and when I've visited friends who live there, I've worm my swimsuit to the beach, gone out in normal evening clothes for a girly night out. I've never been sexually harrassed there, but I have in Spain. The Arab men are not leery and they do love children, indeed everywhere you go, children are petted and patted and chatted to.

I think the points about the treatment of workers and maids are entirely right and I feel very uncomfortable about that, I would not want to work/live there personally, as womens' rights aren't as advanced as in the UK, but some of the stereotypes perpetuated on here are just wrong.

OliPolly · 31/03/2011 13:02

When in Rome and all that?

MABS · 31/03/2011 14:09

I go to Abu Dhabi and Dubai two or 3 times each year at least for r&r, the hotels are marvellous with my disabled ds, unlike in many other European countries we have been to i'm afraid. What the expats who live there have been posting here is entirely correct. They know what they are talking about, they live there! A lot of the other posts on this thread are from people who have never been and clearly believe much of what the media says. Each to their own and all that.

Also, some people on here seem to think AD and Dubai are separate countries from what I am reading here! they are just a 70/80 minute drive apart.

barbie1 · 31/03/2011 14:18

Dubai meet up? Count me in girls! Grin Sitting in garden enjoying the sunshine while lo runs around in her summer dress...this is the life Wink

FellatioNelson · 31/03/2011 14:25

Well they are separate in the same way that England and Wales are separate I suppose - they are the same, yet different!

GuardianMummy · 31/03/2011 17:36

Mateysmum - yes I live in the one beginning with M! Ha ha - too easy to guess really isn't it? Wink

onesandwichshort - another argument is that by supporting the progressive and more liberal Dubai with your tourism dollar, you are demonstrating to other less liberal nations in the ME that there is money to be made from opening your doors and demonstrating tolerance of other ways of life......just a thought. And I am not defending all the human rights issues in Dubai (and other places) but just think the Dubai-bashing from the UK media has been a little OTT.

nokissymum · 31/03/2011 18:15

i guess its kind of like saying

why do people still shop from primark etc are they not aware of child labour/poor wages paid to the people who make them ?? but like one poster said if we were to "consider" every single factor in life you'd never just get on and enjoy it.

Why do people still go to the carriebean/singapore ?? do they not see how the locals are used and the poverty there ??? yet they still sunbathe and enjoy the locals serving them cocktails.

Why do people still go to the british museum ?? do they not realise that half the "african" items there were either stolen yrs ago during raids or conned out of the locals.

Why do people still buy new houses in new developments ??? do they not realise that precious land green land was cleared to build these horrendous blocks of flats etc

why do people still use pampers ???? do they ot realise they end up in the sea..

Why do people still drive cars ? do they not realise they are polluting the air
need i go on ?

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