To take the DC on holiday to Dubai?

[FudgeBrownie2019]

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?

It is the most moderate country in the Middle East,

It is not moderate at all. It is run on indentured labour, there is zero freedom of expression and zero tolerance of dissent, and the government is an absolute monarchy of the type not seen in Europe since the Middle Ages. Women's rights - or lack thereof - are appalling.

"Moderation" isn't about tacky shopping malls and 'film festivals' that they have to pay millions to D list 'stars' to get them to attend.

I loved Dubai when I went. But I was single visiting a friend working out there, I wore a headscarf and trousers so the locals kept thinking I was Iranian, and I didn't do tourist stuff (except ride a camel in the desert) I just explored the town.

I can't see it being fun with kids. It's incredibly hot.

BIL has lived in Dubai for over 10 years. We still haven't been out there. BIL saves all his holidays for the summer months and returns to the UK as it's just way too hot. They stay indoors with the aircon on 24/7 otherwise.

I lived in Dubai briefly before moving to Australia.
Erm, for me, I don't really understand the appeal and why it's even a holiday destination. Sure, there's some nice (really nice) hotels but I'd never pick it as a holiday destination.

If what you are looking for is nice hotels and a great shopping mall and good restaurants but not bothered about culture or the politics of the country then it’s an ok place to go but not in summer way too hot

I found the place soulless and it bothered me seeing immigrant workers treated like slaves when there is such an abundance of wealth

So many women go to work there in order to support and educate children back in their country of origin. Hope those of you who rail against the UAE won't be visiting countries with no support systems whatsoever, that force their citizens to leave and work elsewhere in order to be able to feed their children.

Second most moderate country in the middle east. Israel wins.
More FGM goes on in the UK I'd wager. And will continue to rise. Will Mumsnetters stop visiting London for the same reason? Thought not.

And that's the choice he made. He weighed up the benefits and made that choice. I guess fully grown men and women get to make that choice and it was better than where he came from and the opportunities there.

Ah, all about 'choices' eh? And not one word of criticism from you about a country with an appalling human rights record, because it's better than 'where he came from'?

I take it you'd also be without criticism if Britain exploited Asian workers in the same way, essentially treating them as indentured labour? Because it would still be better than 'where they came from', wouldn't it?

Nope. Currently supporting a family who are due to go back home following teaching at a UK university for several years and VISA now expired. During this time, their son has attended school in the UK, grown up a bit and realised he is gay. Family are terrified of returning, that their son will be outed and have to face harsh punishment.
Before I had a conscience perhaps, but now? No.

I went to Dubai with a friend before i had DD & didn't enjoy it the way I thought, always felt anxious and very out of place being a women there myself with a friend.

However now with DD here i have said many times to DP it would be great going as a family!

It is a great place and cery warm clean & luxurious, as long as you respect the locals it is fine!

I’ve been twice, once in February and once in November and really enjoyed it. It made a nice change from the Caribbean, South America or South Africa where we usually go for our winter holiday.

I love Dubai, we go twice a year. It’s nowhere near as conservative as people make out (usually people who haven’t been funnily enough!), and the locals are so friendly. Your kids will love it. I can understand why some people love it and others hate it though.

EachandEveryone
And they are wicked to animals I couldn’t stand it

No only human beings.

If you're happy to go knowing the place has been built on the backs of foreign workers who are virtually slaves and paid a pittance and that women have zero rights - go ahead.

I've just googled and this is just one article about the workers: www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/health/do-wealthy-expats-in-dubai-even-notice-the-plight-of-migrant-wor/

PS as a woman I feel a lot safer walking down the street alone in Dubai then I do in Greece or Turkey(for example)

There is a human rights index here, if anyone would like some facts:

freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world-2018-table-country-scores

how’s that irrelevant, people have mentioned misogyny of the Middle East, the rape culture of India I wouldn’t say is something to support.
Ultimately the fact is morals mean nothing if you want to go somewhere.

Because Dubai is built on tourism on the back of explotation, India isn't although if course you could go back to colonialism and a different story... Whether you are a tourist in India makes not one bit of difference to their appalling rape culture really but it does in Dubai as tourism so huge there and the industry directly condones slavery.

I take it you'd also be without criticism if Britain exploited Asian workers in the same way, essentially treating them as indentured labour? Because it would still be better than 'where they came from', wouldn't it?

Oh stop making silly hyperbolic assumptions. You've done it throughout the thread. Stay at home. Spend your pennies worthily but don't think for one second you pontificating on MN is making the slightest bit of difference. They're there because they want to be.

What small acts of support will you be giving to the women mentioned in my previous post who can only afford to feed their children by going to the UAE to work. It was that or sex work for the ones I knew. They told me themselves. What will you be doing for them, what practical assistance will you offer, as you pat yourself on the back for not holidaying in Dubai?

I'd be embarrassed and ashamed to pay into an economy based on slavery and misogyny. If you have a shred of common decency you wouldn't consider it. My judgy pants are up to my nose on this one I'm afraid.

Me too. I find it difficult to understand the thought processes of people who choose to go there

@WendyMoiraAngelaDarling exactly - give the people a chance. They are truly lovely. Met many Arabs on the dunes having fun with cars, I'm very car mad so talked to them - I was a teenage girl, they showed me no distain.

90% of the people moaning on here have never been - and in fact are tarring a whole race by what they read in the news - talk about small minded

@19lottie82 agreed. The lecherous waiters in Greek islands when I was teenage turned my stomach.

@thickwoollytights how many times have you been to base your judgements on?

Oh stop making silly hyperbolic assumptions.

So I'm wrong? You thoroughly approve (given by your failure to utter a single word of criticism) of a complete lack of even basic workers' rights in one part of the world, but would not tolerate the same in your own country? Why not?

They're there because they want to be.

You must have a total 'see no evil' mentality if as you claim you've been there many times but have managed not to see or hear the many, many stories of foreign workers being lured there on false pretences and being held against their will? Or do you believe all of these stories, despite being documented by human rights groups, are false?

What small acts of support will you be giving to the women mentioned in my previous post who can only afford to feed their children by going to the UAE to work. It was that or sex work for the ones I knew. They told me themselves.

Do you think they'd tell you if, like so many female workers in the Gulf, they were being sexually abused by their 'masters'? Or does this not happen either?

What will you be doing for them, what practical assistance will you offer, as you pat yourself on the back for not holidaying in Dubai?

Seriously, this is your reasoning? That we should ignore very well-documented abuse of foreign workers and instead think we're doing them a favour by tipping them for bringing you your poolside drink?

Culturally in some parts of the ME it is acceptable to treat migrant workers like slaves - Dubai is one of these countries and this is upheld by the government

Being a European tourist of course you are going to be treated differently to a migrant worker from Asia. I have had family work there (Asian) with mixed experiences they worked in catering and waitressing. Of course the women were constantly harassed but they expected it which made me feel sad

I loved Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Fab holiday destinations

@FudgeBrownie2019 - people who live in Dubai go to Fureriah (the area around Snoopy Island) for diving or Oman - Dubai itself is poor for diving. If that is what you are looking for then I think Oman would suit you better.