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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take the DC on holiday to Dubai?

333 replies

FudgeBrownie2019 · 29/12/2019 14:16

We have two DC, 14 and 9. We've travelled fairly regularly with them but haven't ever done anywhere like Dubai/UAE. DH has found some summer holidays in those areas but I have a little weird feeling about going there - no idea why, no rational reason, I'm just uneasy but can't really put it into words.

Would you go there with DC? Have you been there with DC? Is it somewhere you'd be willing to visit?

OP posts:
bettybattenburg · 30/12/2019 10:49

Tbh I think many of the negative reactions to Dubai comes from a middle class snobbery associating Dubai holidays with the likes of Towie rather than a deeply moral objection

What rubbish. Surely the likes of Towie would be in Ibiza town as far as the middle classes are concerned - they probably don't realise that the likes of 'Towie' go to the same places as they do.

@Lippy1234 . It made a nice change from the Caribbean, South America or South Africa where we usually go for our winter holiday.

Did you have anything to add to this thread apart from a blatant boast?

Nanamilly · 30/12/2019 11:30

interacted with in the service industry (malls, taxis, hotels, restaurants)

Those are the very places you’d have come across Arabic speaking expats if you’d ever been in Dubai.

AnnieTotach · 30/12/2019 11:51

I guess we must move in different circles Nanamilly if YOU have ever actually been to Dubai. Perhaps you've imagined all these arabic speakers? Certainly the statistics don't back up your claim with migrant from Arabic speaking counties way in the .minority. Maybe you dreamt it? Who knows....

HulksPurplePanties · 30/12/2019 11:59

Certainly the statistics don't back up your claim with migrant from Arabic speaking counties way in the .minority.

27% of the country is not really the minority. I suppose it's possible you didn't come across an Arabic speaker, but I'm finding it pretty hard to believe as well....

nevernotstruggling · 30/12/2019 12:04

Perhaps, but nor do you do it by actively supporting the economy which is built on those same human rights issues. If tourists still come and stay in the tacky hotels made affordable by the use of indentured labour, singing the praises of a land that allows you to buy bacon sandwiches and swim in artificially cooled pools, then what incentive do they have to change a single thing?

This is why. Little old me boycotting is unlikely to make a difference but I raise my kids to do what we can to challenge inequality. No Dubai or similar and no captive orcas or whatever on holiday

HulksPurplePanties · 30/12/2019 12:04

At the very least you would have spoken to an Emirati at immigration when you arrived....

Lippy1234 · 30/12/2019 12:05

Why aren’t their Egypt holidays bashing threads? I would have thought with the widespread prevalence of FGM it would be worthy of a thread.

HulksPurplePanties · 30/12/2019 12:08

then what incentive do they have to change a single thing?

Things are changing massively. They've gone from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in the human trafficking index due to the international focus, and are expected to go to Tier 1 in the next few years. Given Greece is Tier 2 and Spain is swanning slowly downwards and becoming the brothel of Europe, I say it's pretty positive.

AnnieTotach · 30/12/2019 12:22

Of course I did come across Arabic speakers - the Government officials we were meeting with were all Emirati. They certainly spoke Arabic.

But I was very surprised that all the people I chatted with in the service industry (it's not like I was going around questioning everyone - there could indeed have been Arabic speakers but I just didn't happen to have interacted with them enough to know this!) were from Indian sub-continent and Philippines. And I'm almost 100% sure that all the working women in the service industry were non Arab because it's pretty unusual in Arab society for women to migrate for work. The only working Emirati women I saw were among the Govt officials.

Whatagoodidea · 30/12/2019 12:39

You are wrong about Emirati women working, they certainly do and not all in Govt jobs. They are usually very conscientious as they have had to fight hard to be out working. They should be given credit for that, not knocked. There are also many North African and Eygptian workers here who would all speak Arabic. I'm not really sure what your point about the language is.?

thisisthetime · 30/12/2019 12:56

We've been twice with our young dc and have had a great time. It's not really our usual type of holiday, we go for the weather as the flight isn't too long for winter sun. No problems taking kids there though.

thisisthetime · 30/12/2019 12:57

Oh looking at your post I see you said summer holiday. I wouldn't go in the summer, it would be far too hot. We've been in March and October and it was 30s then, you wouldn't want it any hotter!

AnnieTotach · 30/12/2019 12:57

My point was that I found it to be very odd that there are so many migrant workers - and the statistics show that the vast majority are indeed from non Arabic speaking countries. Usually when I travel in the Middle East I try to use the opportunity to practice my (admittedly poor) Arabic, at the very least to exchange pleasantries, and, in the five days I was there, I did not come across one Arabic speaker in the service industry, certainly no Emirati women.

I wasn't working with the private sector but attending a meeting arranged and hosted by the UAE Govt so if there are Emirati women in the private sector I wouldn't know. I personally only saw them in Govt jobs. Again, I am describing my own personal experience over five days.

Basically, I thought UAE was a weird place with the armies of foreign workers propping it all up.

OneKeyAtATime · 30/12/2019 12:59

I understand why people would object to going but do you extend the same logic to other countries with poor human rights (USA, China, etc)? Do you only buy clothes made in Europe and avoid to contribute to child labour? If so fine but if not why focus purely on UAE ?

Nanamilly · 30/12/2019 13:16

I guess we must move in different circles Nanamilly if YOU have ever actually been to Dubai.

I’ve lived in the region for 40 decades plus and I’m in Dubai every 6 weeks or so which is why I’m able to say you’re talking nonsense.

Oh and I’m also a fluent Arabic speaker.

The more often you post the more nonsensical you become. In fact there’s another poster just like you. He or she also posts about imaginary Middle East experience and the last time they posted in one of these threads they claimed the same sort of nonsense about Omani women in the workplace. I think you’re the same poster.

You’re a havering cuddy.

AnnieTotach · 30/12/2019 13:26

"’ve lived in the region for 40 decades plus and I’m in Dubai every 6 weeks or so which is why I’m able to say you’re talking nonsense.

Oh and I’m also a fluent Arabic speaker."

ha ha. Dream on. I think you must live in a fantasy land.

Probably live in a dreary house in Middle England and fantasize about exciting Arabia. You're making it all up.

Lippy1234 · 30/12/2019 13:59

40 decades is a long time!

Nanamilly · 30/12/2019 15:46

Probably live in a dreary house in Middle England and fantasize about exciting Arabia. You're making it all up

Of course I am.

Nanamilly · 30/12/2019 15:54

40 decades is a long time!

I didn’t notice I’d said 40. Yikes.

It’s actually 45 years. .

randomchec · 30/12/2019 16:08

Honestly anyone who has been to Dubai has come back happy on all fronts except weather so pick a winter month. It's safe enough to do and frankly very friendly

As for the other objections on human rights, you will be limited to Europe aus and us if that's your thing. For instance slave Labour is mostly poor people from India pak and Bangladesh earning much more money here than back home. UAE has made progress on this tho not enough

I find the perceptions amazing but very valid to realize that people actually know very little about the place

busybarbara · 30/12/2019 17:29

Honestly anyone who has been to Dubai has come back happy on all fronts

It’s a bit of a biased sample if you’re only looking at the people who actually come back (!)

Penguin1700 · 30/12/2019 18:03

Weighing in as I find the perceptions and comments astounding. I lived in Dubai for few years and moved back to the UK a while back.

  1. Only non Arabic speakers there :) : Not true. Whilst you dont need to know any Arabic (I didnt), there are loads of Arabic speakers there. Dubai is the only place in the MIddle East which has a thriving corporate sector and hence attracts all Arab Expats. I think @AnnieTotachhad has had the typical tourist skim the top experience, where the taxi guys are all Asian (they know Arabic BTW), the shop attendants were Filipino and the mall cafes a mix :). In a normal corporate world and especially the Govt. there are mostly Arabic speakers because you need to know the culture if you are trying to sell there (most of the potential is outside UAE). Similarly you could come to London and interact with only East. Eu waiters, Asian drivers and deduce there are no Britishers in London (many do)
  1. Weather is terrible : True. Summer is brutal especially if you are not used to it, pick a Winter month though its more expensive
  1. Human Rights record : Half n Half, The laborers come there willingly. They earn more than what they will in their home countries, where the HR records is shit anyways. Many stories of how they have built a future for their kids and neighborhoods due to the income. Also if you compare Norfolk to Dubai then Dubai loses but probably is better compared with other non UK holiday options. We know we have a great Human rights record and we care as a society (not being sarcastic). I would compare UAE to China more than UK standards, so clearly there is a gap
  2. Safety : Safer than the UK .. anyday. Crime is low, women are respected and thats because 93% of the population is on a 2 year revolving visa which means you are deported if you are guilty. Say bye to no taxes and good income and very few will take a chance. Very few illegals without a visa so little temptation for crime. You can of course cite the high profile cases which come into the media, but then similarly no one will come to London because apparently its filled with Knife Attackers or stay in a high rise cos they catch fire (its not as we know)
  1. Wouldnt go if I was paid. :) a lot of us do, I earned 5 times my UK salary in Dubai, and didnt mind the bit I saved up during my years.

basically if you are going for a holiday, do what you do in other countries.. be respectful of their customs keep an open mind and have fun!

IcedPurple · 30/12/2019 18:06

women are respected

Unless they're one of the thousands of housemaids who have zero rights and are often considered 'fair game' by their masters.

But I guess you weren't thinking about that type of woman.

OxfordCat · 30/12/2019 18:09

My friend went and couldn't swim in the sea at all due to the influx of poisonous squid and where beaches were clear of jellyfish the sea pollution was so bad it you couldn't go in. She said they ended up stuck at the hotel pool or in the mall. My other friend's DH had his passport taken away by a military/police officer at the airport and was kept in a room without explanation for three hours before being given his passport back and able to rejoin his (pregnant) wife. Terrifying! He was told his haircut had aroused suspicion of his "reasons for travelling" (he's a musician with shoulder length long hair). Hmm

Coupled with their horrendous human rights record, there's no way I'd be acting like it was all great and going there on holiday, and there's no way you'd catch me modelling that to my kids either.

Penguin1700 · 30/12/2019 18:10

They dont have Zero rights. Their embassies are not blind to these things, and have a strict protocol in place. Does it happen yes, but is it the wild west ..no