To ask why people like Dubai so much?

[moreyoudoknow]

I know loads of people who now say it's their favourite holiday destination?

What's so lovely about it? Looks too hot to me? Can go above 45 weather wise!

I like the Canary Islands because the sun burns down but it has a cool breeze... a hidden gem if you hate sweltering heat

From pictures, it looks like a city like London that just has pools?

A relation lives and works there. Professional job. Loves the sunshine, no income tax and able to afford staff to look after the children and the apartment. He says he'll be back for the children to start school here, but I have my doubts.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I wouldn’t go if you paid me.

this from the BBC:

Rape victims, too, have been prosecuted under the laws against extramarital sex. A BBC Arabic investigation in 2015 found that hundreds of women, including rape victims, were being imprisoned under this law every year - and that domestic servants were particularly vulnerable.

Also - anyone remember Princess Latifa?

Yes the UK does have a shameful past, we played a big part in the slave trade, colonialism and other ghastly things throughout history. However Dubai has a shameful present, that’s the difference.

People are willing to turn a blind eye and excuse the poor treatment of migrant workers in exchange for a weeks stay at a 5 star resort living like millionaires in hot weather for a reasonable price just the same way people buy those cheap fur coats from Aliexpress or wear Primark/ Boohoo clothing.

The provenance doesn’t bother them and most likely never will.

That wasn't me! I live in Dubai. I'll be informing my boss that he's not earning a comfortable living later :)

Reminds me of an Ethiopian friend/colleague who was told 'what you're not a maid?'.

Personally, I probably wouldn't holiday in Dubai (too expensive for me!) but might in other parts of the UAE. Anyone who says Dubai doesn't have a soul or wildlife hasn't spent any time here outside of malls and 5 star hotels. Dubai's soul is its multicultural-ness (is that a word?). Parts of the city buzz with the mix of languages and cultures, similar to Singapore. Dubai city itself doesn't have masses of wildlife (it's a city) but I was driving with turtles last month. Plenty of wildlife to see in the country.

Although I challenge a previous poster for the award for least glam British expat in Dubai. That's definitely one I could win.

😂😂😂

If my gay son isn't wholly welcomed, then I refuse to line their coffers with my money, same goes for how women are treated. It isnt about being snobby, Im just very conscientious

That's understandable. But it also means that most of Africa, the Middle East and Asia are off your list too. Sadly Dubai is not unique in this way.

The people I have known who have gone there went for winter sunshine/absence of cold. I expect the range of flights and luxury hotels is also a reason.

Never somewhere I would consider because of what another person described as a shameful presence.

And the turks don't?

Op knows exactly why people love it and why people hate it. Op is a goady arse probably writing for the Guardian. Get a life OP. Ask genuine questions ans, if you want to stir up Xenophobia, religious hatred and racism, just be Jones and say that's what you are doing. The wide eyed innocence just makes you look like you are not brave enough to be a racist on an anonymous forum. Not sure how more cowardly you can get to be honest.

Whoever I have been to Dubai, and I have lived there, I have never tripped 9ver their own people homeless and absconded on the streets everywhere I go. Shame on you Brits, you think you are so civilised, you don't even have a health service and lack past people with nothing every day.

Whoever said it's a turd rolled in glitter is about right. The hotels are glitzy but under the surface...

I've only ever been for work. Most places I have travelled to for work make me want to back with more time to explore - Israel, Singapore, China, etc. not so with Dubai.

Yes if you love Israel, you are hardly going to want to go to Dubai. And let's visit the basement of a uK hotel. Fill of illlegals with no medical or dental cover, often not paid. Dumped outside hospitals when they die to protect the gangleaders. The don't exist, they never existed which is why you don't have any stats.

@Nahnanananahna Apologies.

There are around three million Indian expats in the UAE. Their links to Dubai are strong going back to the 1960's .

You have no issue with the apartheid in Israel? Or the abuses of Muslims in China?

@Ggg626262

how wide a problem do you think this is?

I’ve worked in quite a few hotels when younger. Never seen anything like this… I’ve witnessed questionable sanitation practices and poor health and safety in a couple of places, but never what you describe.

I hope you’ve reported instances. I’d hate to think this happens here although I’m sure it does.

I also think we should definitely be collecting numbers. Telling that we don’t.

Still - in the UK you’re allowed to be gay, rape victims aren’t imprisoned, you’re not killing the planet with AC everyday, you don’t have to walk behind your husband, or wear a boiling hot ‘dress’ that covers you up because you’re in some way shameful.

Also no one thinks you’re ignorant for holidaying here…

There is no apartheid in Israel - that's a lie. I have a Palestinian Lebanese colleague whose sister married their Palestinian Israeli cousin and moved to Israel in the days when that was still possible (half the family stayed in 1948, half fled to Lebanon).
He told me that the real apartheid for Palestinians is in Lebanon. They are not allowed to work in certain professions, not allowed to own land, many restrictions. His sister is a dentist. She could not work as a dentist in Lebanon despite having been born there, she is barred from it. In Israel, she works as a dentist, treats Arabs and Jews, no problem. How is that apartheid? She is now a full Israeli citizen as are her kids and her husband. She has full civil rights, votes in all elections. Unlike her brother who can't vote in any election in Lebanon.

I spoke to some of the staff there during a recent stay - they work 10 hours a day and they have accommodation provided and 4 days off a month. Tbf I thought wow they're long hours but I also thought wow they were so hard working, polite and decent staff. They didn't have to talk to me and be nice to my kids.

In the UK, in my field of work I see alot of people who don't work, not educated and not in training. I agree with TUI - lazy brits?

Nope -I’m going camping in Scarborough. Can’t stand heat, can’t stand swanky hotels, can’t stand overpriced food. I’d much rather have a bbq and climb a hill in the rain.

@smashmakesmash we will have to disagree on the apartheid issue it does exist.

As for Lebanon I agree I lived there and my ex is Lebanese. But you know there is a complex history with the Lebanese/Palestine issue.

My lovely friend has just come back- she likes hotel based holidays with her kids (single parent) and tbh she got a great deal and in the photos it all looks much better than what you could get in europe for the cost. Def not an influencer type just after a nice hol in the sun with her kids She is totally naive when it comes to the concerns about the place that we all have and I suspect most others are too.

"Ethical and moral reasons" say those living in the UK 😆

As it’s built on a slave culture it’s cheap for Brits and expats to swan about in a lifestyle that they wouldn’t normally have. And the hot weather is guaranteed.
Work wanted me to move there for a couple of years but I told them I wasn’t interested. I would have had the apartment with the nanny and the maid, and a driver to take me everywhere and the tax benefits. Couldn’t stomach the idea of living like that at the expense of other human beings.

On an overnight flight through Dubai, l walked into the women's toilet and there was an Indian woman sleeping in there. It was late at night, she worked there as the toilet attendant and had to sleep, sitting on the floor! The opposite of luxury.

This!!