DH thinks we're going to get arrested in Dubai

[willyougobacktobed]

Going to Dubai next week for Easter on a mini break with DH. As a tactile couple who enjoys a couple of drinks with dinner he's getting really anxious that we're going to get arrested if we a) unthinkingly give each other a peck on the cheek or b) share a bottle of wine and have a giggle.

He has googled their strict laws and legal systems LOTS.

I think he's BU, his worries and mithering are making me not look as forward to a holiday I've saved hard for as much as I otherwise would.

Are we going to get arrested?!

I've just come back from an extended trip to UAE including Dubai. It was to see if we would consider an opportunity to work/live out there and my answer is No, it's not for me. I was confused by the double standards.

Although Dubai is the most "relaxed" emirate it still has restrictions. We were witness to several westerners "forgetting" where they were. In Dubai Marina area one Friday there were groups of westerners absolutely pissed out their faces. One group stumbling and pushing the birthday girl around in a shopping trolley. They passed us and were certainly attracting alot of attention but I've no idea how their afternoon ended.

In the hotels we saw locals coming in and getting pissed as farts too. It's a country of varying standards.

We enjoyed drinks in hotels and beach clubs but not enough to get drunk. You need to be wary and have your wits about you. It only takes one person to take offence and report you I would imagine. We did hold hands a few times accidently just out of habit but stopped as soon as we realised. You cannot buy alcohol in any restaurants that aren't part of hotels or beach clubs, so where you drink is pricey and limited anyway.

Internet seemed to be restricted too. Despite the wide array of under wear shops in thier malls even the M&S lingerie sale was too much to be allowed to load on my phone. I also experienced other things not being accessible on my laptop and phone. This was at several different locations in 3 different cities. I wasn't trying to look at anything I would consider dodgy either.

Dubai was nice enough. I'm not sure I'd ever pay out of my own pocket to visit again but would do a brief visit with work if needed.

You'll be ok you just need to be sensible and despite what you see some locals doing in hotels, just stick to the basic rules.

I’m actually on holiday with DH at the moment and would advise you to be careful and to abide by the laws and customs of the country. I saw several security guards in Dubai Mall, and there are notices up asking shoppers to dress modestly. I haven’t seen any couples holding hands in public, and DH and I have been careful not to. I would say try not to wear short dresses/skirts/low cut tops, and if visiting the Jumeirah mosque women must wear a headscarf. Also ensure you know the laws about what you can bring into the country - no narcotic or psychotropic drugs or cooked/homemade food. Our hand luggage was put through a security scanning machine at airport passport control upon arrival.

We’ve had a fun few days here, but I will breathe a sigh of relief when we get through airport security safely and leave tomorrow!

I have never fancied going to Dubai myself, but each to their own.

It's not rocket science though, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. (Emiratis ..........? )

You can hold hands with your husband in Dubai, (in public,) but can't smooch, snog, kiss, fondle, caress and so on. You can share a hotel room/bed if you are married, but not if you aren't.

It's like in a Church service at our church, you are not supposed to have your phone switched on, you're not meant to bring in food and munch it in the seats, you're not supposed to shout 'fuck off vicar' at the vicar, and it's frowned on to say the tea and coffee tastes shit (that the nice Church ladies have made.)

People all manage to adhere to these rules.

It's NOT that hard to stick to rules - if you can be arsed!

And yes as above poster says I’ve also noticed that internet is restricted. The Laura Ashley womenswear collection website is for some reason considered inappropriate viewing!

Dubai is a shit hole in the feet surrounded by a facade of big fancy buildings and rich people, but it's all fake.

Those lovely fancy hotels built with slave labour, those hypocrites who come come from conservative neighbouring country's to get drunk and sleep with prostitutes then go back and pretend to be pious, then get in their cars still drunk.

Women's rights are in the toilet.

They promise this paradise but lots have found it isn't, with tourism they seem to want to have their cake and eat it(want the tourism but don't want any excess).

No reason to go for me the place is repulsive.

Same as UK then. Funny how people forget about their own country's history.

Actually, you have missed the point. For the UK slavery is its history for Dubai its still current.

Hasn’t their princess gone ‘missing’ after she publicly said she has no freedom?

Gosh, I see the ‘armchair warrior’ accusations are being flung about again by defensive ‘I’m all right, Jack’ Dubai-dwellers who’ve well and truly drunk the Kool-Aid.

Heidi, this may be something your infant debating powers may not grasp, but I didn’t ask you — and I’m not sure anyone else did — how your rights as a woman were ‘better’ in Dubai. I asked that you clarify your statement that ‘women’s rights’ were ‘better’, and asked you to specify whether you meant exploited foreign housemaids, trafficked foreign prostitution, women of any nationality reporting rape and risking prosecution for extramarital sex, or Emirati and other women and children on whom FGM is legally performed in the UAE.

Clearly you, like so many Dubai-based expats, are incapable of seeing beyond minimally-taxed salaries and domestic help.

And yes, I used to live there.

OP, you are highly unlikely to attract the attention of the authorities if you refrain from public drunkenness outside of hotels, do not bring in any banned substances (which include some common over the counter medicines available in the UK), maul one another in public, have a car crash or other altercation with an Emirati OR be unlucky enough to be raped and report it.

Tulips, she’s back in Dubai, supposedly being ‘cared for’ by her family, but almost certainly under house arrest and/or drugged into submission at one of the more obscure family palaces. The al Makhtoums like to keep these little things in-house.

You don't think that there is any modern day slavery in the UK PengAly? There are thousands and thousands of people in the UK trafficked into forced labour or prostitution. It is current.

And it is illegal here and police prosecute.

@XiCi yes Heidi should know most about Dubai and she stated women's rights were better....but declined answering how?

@XiCi

You don't think that there is any modern day slavery in the UK PengAly?

Of course there is modern slavery in the UK but it is nowhere near the scale as that in Dubai. Its not even comparable and those who visit Dubai are just supporting slavery.

This thread is getting ridiculous..
We have been to Dubai many times, it's a beautiful place! Everybody is extremely friendly.
On our first holiday, I was extremely worried as I take a lot of medication including morphine and diazepam. The horror stories you hear scared me to death!!

I have had my bags checked once, I was petrified! Thinking I was going straight into a prison for years! Showed my letter off my GP and was allowed straight through.

In the hotels you can be just like you are in any place in the world..out of the hotels, you just be respectful.
My partner and I were not affectionate in public (not that we would be anyway!) and we both dressed respectfully. Some women out there dress in mini dresses, skirts, cleavage etc on show..never seen anybody be arrested, like the papers make out! But obviously these people have no respect for the country, and just get stared at by absolutely everybody!!

You will have a fabulous time!! Don't stress at all!!

You have to go down to the marina at night time..restaurants are fantastic, all the stalls are beautiful and the atmosphere is just perfect!

Have a fab time

Agree pengaly, but I suspect most on this thread don't care. As long as they can have a nice holiday, or can live in an expat enclave with domestic servants.

Why would you want to visit and support a country that practices modern slavery? Vile place to go.

I agree with this - I really judge anyone I know who supports this regime.

We have been going there for decades all over UAE, and we have never had or seen a problem.

We completely relax and do not feel/ and have never felt on edge.
Admittedly we don’t ever get drunk or ride around in shopping trolleys (it’s not Benidorm)
If you are looking for a sophisticated stay I think it ticks many boxes. I hold hands with my dh around the hotel and so does everyone else.
Enjoy your holiday and respect their culture, and you will have an amazing time

Honestly cant imagine what would make anyone want to holiday in Dubai.

I went to Dubai some years ago now to visit someone who lived there (Male)
We did worry a lot about getting caught with me staying with him but we were ok and never ever affectionate in public. One of his friends got hold of some illegal booze and when he told me I nearly crapped myself

I really didn’t like it there. I would not go back. I saw hundreds of workers sleeping under cardboard and tiny rags on the construction sites at night it was so sad and horrible

I went out ONE TIME alone broad daylight and was followed by 3 men in a car trying to grab me and put me in the car, I screamed a lot and ran as fast as I could up to a main road and they gave up

Then at the airport on the way home a man sat opposite me in the terminal clearly masturbating. I had to try tell a non English speaking scary armed guard about it and they manhandled him out

Also a girl arrested out there a few years ago actually went to school With my sister

Your DH is right to be cautious, you're going and "want a giggle" some drink and maybe public affection?!
Easily scope for going wrong there!
As a woman I cannot see the attraction of ever going to places like this.

@heidivodca Thu 04-Apr-19 19:03:49
Be respectful and tolerant and you’ll find the same returned to you! Rights for women here are better than the U.K. imo!

Really? In what way?

'imagine heidi knows the real dubai more than most people on this thread seeing as she actually lives there'

Expats tend to be in denial. They like the sun, the money and the maids. They are happy to ignore the corruption, the slavery, the terrible human rights. I can understand someone having a holiday there, not living there.

Why Dubai, why would you risk going on holiday anywhere where they have such alien draconian laws!

It seems heidi lives in a gated expat community. What makes you think she has any real insight into Dubia at all?

@heidivodca
Yes I can! I live here and have just as much freedom (if not more) than the U.K. - but what do I know I just live here! You have the ‘facts’ from the DM!!

I'd be really interested to know if you live in a little gated community bubble to come out with that statement.