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MNHQ have commented on this thread

AIBU?

To not get why people hate Dubai so much?

1000 replies

Cutitup · 16/09/2013 22:18

What is there to hate?

I think it's a great place to have a holiday. Great restaurants, great service, fab shopping and spa treatments.

I do understand the problems of domestic and construction staff being exploited but this is not a problem unique to Dubai. I just don't get the vitriol, the 'it has no culture' etc.. I say get out of the bitter farm and play with the hay!

OP posts:

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ILetHimKeep20Quid · 16/09/2013 23:12

The op isn't obliged to agree with you, don't be sad!

Weegiemum · 16/09/2013 23:12

I do think they are all as bad - just Dubai has made a mission out of exploiting this.

We try to "holiday local" when we go abroad - 3 years ago (for me + dh 40th) we went to the Dominican Republic. Off the plane, everyone but us got on a tour bus to an all-inclusive. We got a taxi - we'd booked into local apartments. We had Spanish lessons, snorkelling, surfing for us and the dc, scuba for dh and me. We ate out 1/2 the time.

Still was 1/3 cheaper than all inclusive even with water sports, ans we were in a much more "genuine" location - we even went to church with my Spanish teacher!

Terrortree · 16/09/2013 23:12

As long as it's not you who is being abused or exploited, what's not to like?

Been there several times. Glad I never have to go again.

It is never a justification to say 'others do that, so why shouldn't I?'.

nowahousewife · 16/09/2013 23:13

Of course Emerates is a good airline! It doesn't have to make money as it is subsidised by the government! Also are you aware of the way it recruits it's cabin staff?

AnyFucker · 16/09/2013 23:14

...nor is it any justification to say "other places are bad too"

WestieMamma · 16/09/2013 23:14

They put rape victims in prison. Why any right thinking woman would choose to go there is beyond me.

LittleTulip · 16/09/2013 23:14

I don't understand the 'sexist' thing though? It's only as sexist as the next Asian/middle eastern country? Or probably less!

My last few holidays have been in Dubai, Egypt, China, India, Greece, Spain, Turkey. And you know what Dubai was fabulous. It is so much more than the shopping and the spas and the Michelin restaurants..although that does help

Foreign workers are exploited all over the world including here in the UK. There is also plenty of 'culture' you have to go looking for it.

I think most of those being judgemental on this thread have never actually been to Dubai/UAE and like OP says are just jumping on the we hate Dubai bandwagon.

Cutitup · 16/09/2013 23:15

I've been to Jordan many times. Love Petra. Aqaba is quaint but the diving is great. Lots of migrant workers there too. The whole of the Middle East is full of migrant workers on the same contracts as they are in Dubai. And that included Egypt.

Basically, I think people get harrumph about Dubai because it got too big for its boots. You want to hear about human atrocities and the tragic case of migrant workers, think about Saudi Arabia. Dubai is small fry in comparison.

OP posts:

ILetHimKeep20Quid · 16/09/2013 23:15

Where's the need for justification at all?

topicsactiveimon · 16/09/2013 23:15

OP, you're more than welcome to enjoy Dubai. (But have you tried Jordan??? ) However, you asked why people hate it, and you've had a pretty steady stream of answers. So now you know!

caramelwaffle · 16/09/2013 23:17

How, now? (did you see what I did there?)

WetAugust · 16/09/2013 23:17

That's alright then - sorted.

Terrortree · 16/09/2013 23:17

Oh, and an interesting fact from the UAE is that workers need not work when it is above 50 degrees C. According to the state, it never gets above 50 degrees C.

Bet you love your holiday, when you facebook that it's currently 52 degrees. Most people do.

topicsactiveimon · 16/09/2013 23:18

Ah, x-posted. I didn't say I wouldn't go to Dubai due to the exploitation. I've travelled extensively and exploitation is pretty rife wherever laws allow it to happen (and sometimes even where they don't).

I said I'd avoid it cuz it seems boring to me. Not my cup of tea.

But that's fine if it's yours.

DirtyDancing · 16/09/2013 23:18

Everything, including holidays are down to personal choice.

I am sure some of the people who replied that they hate Dubai have sat in a holiday complex in Mexico / Tenerife/ Spain (delete as appropriate) and not left it for two weeks. Very cultural. Dubai, like going on holiday anywhere provides the cultural experience you seek, and it's what you make of it.

I have been to Dubai and enjoyed it. I did a road trip to Oman and experienced the true UAE along the way (including great diving, the dessert, mosques and the beaches.)

Whilst we are discussing women's rights:

Approximately 85,000 women are raped on average in England and Wales every year. Rape Crisis Uk.
The UK has one of the lowest rates of conviction for allegations of rape in Europe.

WetAugust · 16/09/2013 23:18

Do you work for the Dubai National Tourist Board?

duchessandscruffy · 16/09/2013 23:18

I agree it just seems so soulless, even if you exclude the misogyny, slavery, homophobia etc. it just seems so greed centred, I don't know it's just somewhere I have no desire to go to. And it's so damn hot there!

Also I just don't get the whole shopping on holiday thing. I do actually love shopping as a 'leisure activity' at home but on holiday I just can't be arsed. I cannot understand these people that go to new yourk with an extra suitcase just to fill with....stuff.

nowahousewife · 16/09/2013 23:19

little tulip there are no Michelin restaurants in Dubai, the guides do not cover Dubai.

FreudiansSlipper · 16/09/2013 23:19

good lord are you really comparing womens rights here to dubai

LittleTulip · 16/09/2013 23:20

Plus Gary Rhodes restaurant at the Grosvenor House is reason enough to visit Dubai

AnyFucker · 16/09/2013 23:21

Going all that way to hide from the heat in airconditioned hotels and shopping malls seems like a completely pointless exercise to me

Cutitup · 16/09/2013 23:22

Topics, I just answered the question about Jordan. Been there several times. I have been to every Middle Eastern country apart from Syria and Yemen. It's the same everywhere in terms of migrant labour. The main difference is Dubai's success and people somehow thinking it's ok to slag it off.

Of all the people who have replied, I'd love to know how many have been to Dubai.

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FreudiansSlipper · 16/09/2013 23:23

not if Gary Rhodes himself pops up its not

topicsactiveimon · 16/09/2013 23:25

We x-posted OP. Reply below.

FreudiansSlipper · 16/09/2013 23:26

me i have been

and i hated it for many many reasons

and i have no intention of returning

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