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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:
randomchec · 29/12/2019 15:15

It's a great place, not very conservative as you would imagine. I've seen more modest clothes in Uk .. it will be hot there is no way to deal with this except to stay in air con. Lots of things to do and very very safe for family

You do the normal things and there is no problem

Wendyasbury · 29/12/2019 15:16

It's very much a luxury type destination, very beautiful hotels/ beaches etc. But it's completely soulless. And I always had an uncomfortable feeling while I was there, was always very aware of myself, how I dressed , how many drinks I had, not to hold my husband's hand etc. I wouldn't go back especially with my kids.

Nanamilly · 29/12/2019 15:20

It will be extremely hot Fudge and anything you do with the children will have to be in an air-conditioned environment so if you don't mind not really being outside except for perhaps a late night swim then go for it.

Saying that though - Ive lived in the region for more than 40 years and summers are extremely difficult. I wouldn't have anyone visit me at that time of year.

NearlyOutedMyself · 29/12/2019 15:21

I've been in January twice and that was hot enough! I wouldn't go in the summer months anymore than I'd travel to the Med then (too crowded and hot). There's also political/ethical reasons as stated above.

Original poster
FudgeBrownie2019 · 29/12/2019 15:21

This is the thing, I’m not terribly clued up on their human rights records etc, it just felt a bit off for no real reason I can define.

DH wants to go over the Easter break, so not so much a summer holiday, I suppose in lieu of one in August. Temperatures then are milder but still not cool.

We tend not to do typical AI holidays, and tend to travel and see as much as we can when we visit places, and I’m uncertain how “free” we’d feel there particularly with the DC. We visited Jerusalem as a stopover to a holiday once and whilst I’m glad we went, I wouldn’t return. I always envisage Dubai as being similar in terms of being conscious of where DH was and how I was dressed.

OP posts:
Nanamilly · 29/12/2019 15:22

not to hold my husband's hand etc

Holding hands is a common occurrence even amongst people from the region.

Roselilly36 · 29/12/2019 15:23

Wouldn’t go to Dubai, Absolutely not.

JustOneSquareofDarkChocolate · 29/12/2019 15:24

Have been there several times ; even in April (Ie spring) I found the sand too hot to walk on and the sea water like a warm bath (not in a nice way). Biggest problem when we went last Christmas was the cost of alcohol. You can’t buy from a special off licence unless you have a permit so you have to buy from hotel. We were at a mid range (not fancy) hotel and it really was £15\ glass

Nanamilly · 29/12/2019 15:25

DH wants to go over the Easter break

That would be much better weather wise. Its jus starting to get quite hot. But keep in mind that the Holy Month of Ramadan starts around the 23rd of April and it would affect your trip.

LakieLady · 29/12/2019 15:29

Environmentally and ethically appalling place. I wouldn't go if you paid me.

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 29/12/2019 15:29

Not going there even if you'd paid me.

ineedaholidaynow · 29/12/2019 15:30

I assume most of what people see in Dubai are the places built for tourists

AnneElliott · 29/12/2019 15:30

No I wouldn't go. Firstly due to their human rights record and also because of my job I'd need to ask permission to go which might not be granted.

JustOneSquareofDarkChocolate · 29/12/2019 15:30

OP it is very different from places like Jordan. Dubai is built up and shopping mall after shopping mall. You will see very few Emerati people; the ajority of the population is now expat _ particularly from Pakistan.

I was much more self conscious in places like Morocco and even Naples in terms of being stared at, hassled etc. Going shopping in Dubai was much like going to Bluewater mall in Kent!!

QueenofallIsee · 29/12/2019 15:31

My daughter is gay, I wouldn’t be able to justify a holiday to a place where she could be imprisoned, flogged or executed simply for her sexual orientation. Never, nope, not on your nelly.

LIZS · 29/12/2019 15:32

It is boiling in summer. Most expats leave between June and September. Very artificial too.

JustOneSquareofDarkChocolate · 29/12/2019 15:33

Sorry just saw you said Jerusalem not Jordan! My comment still applies though - very different. Not much ancient history to explore in Dubai.

Thestrangestthing · 29/12/2019 15:42

No I wouldn't go with or without kids. I couldn't support a country with such an appalling attitude to human rights. I don't know why anyone would go, plenty of other places to go on holiday.

QueenieMcQueenson · 29/12/2019 15:43

If you just want a beach and a waterpark, then it's fine I guess.
Inside the resorts you can do pretty much as you please- alcohol, pork, walk around in swimwear etc.
Don't see the appeal myself. I'd rather go to a bigger, older city and see the history, but to each their own.

WendyMoiraAngelaDarling · 29/12/2019 15:52

You will see very few Emerati people;

This just isn't true. I've been there many times and although yes they are outnumbered by drafted in workers you still see plenty of Emirati natives. There's a million of them there after all.

Ponoka7 · 29/12/2019 16:44

"but I have a little weird feeling about going there - no idea why, no rational reason,"

Perhaps because you're a, second class citizen, with no rights and women are, beaten, tortured and murdered if they behave in a way we take for granted? That's beside from the other human rights abuses.

I think if you put money into their economy as a tourist, then you can't ever get on your high horse about anything again. Or be judgemental about anything again.

piesforever · 29/12/2019 16:58

Disgusting how they treat their workers over there, modern day slavery swept under the carpet, that's why I felt uncomfortable there. Superficially amazing for kids, until you see the spoilt locals with maids too scared to discipline them.

ihearttc · 29/12/2019 17:24

Dubai is amazing. We have been 7 times now. People’s perceptions of it is so far from reality.
We’ve got a 14 year old and a 9 year old...we have been every year since DS2 was 2 and we are still finding new things to do.

Women don’t need to dress conservatively...I’d advise not wearing hot pants and a bikini top to walk around the shopping malls but other than that dress how you would normally in the summer. I wore dresses, skirts, vest tops and even shorts.

The only negative thing we ever encountered (and it wasn’t even negative as such) was that DS2 was very very blonde when he was tiny and got lots of attention. Lots of touching him and giving him money...which didn’t bother me but can see how that would offend some people.

Easter is a great time to go. We went in August this time...still had a great time although it was roasting hot. We ended up staying at the JBH for one night as it was cheaper to do that than get into Wild Wadi for the day. Feel free to PM me if I can help at all.

Newbie1999 · 29/12/2019 17:27

I know someone who takes their young children all the time and says it surprisingly really child friendly. Not my kind of thing though.

HouseworkAvoider10 · 29/12/2019 17:28

I know Dubai very well.
It will be stinking hot in summer and deeply humid.
there'll be no atmosphere there because everyone with sense and money heads elsewhere to escape the dire heat.
swimming in the sea is rotten in summer too because its like going from the frying pan into the fire.
good luck - you'll need it.