Would you choose Dubai as a holiday destination?

[Letshopenextyearisbetter]

Colleague told me excitedly she has booked to go to Dubai with her family for two weeks. I said ‘Oh wow!’ But really I was thinking 😬
I realise we all like different things, but just curious if you’d choose to spend your money on going to Dubai? I can personally think of some really lovely places to go for that amount of money, especially over Christmas

Nope too false and expensive. Had a 2 day stopover there and wasnt my scene at all.

Yes, it’s not on my desperate to visit places because I’ve been twice to Dubai and once to Abu Dhabi but I love the uae. So safe! Love the people, culture etc.

yes modern Dubai, is quite artificial, hotels and theme parks, but we do like that but there is history to the uae, the souks, downtown Dubai, the wadis, desert safaris, historic mosques etc

Zero chance I'd go there.

Drongoes No

Yes, I've been with another single mum and our kids and it was great winter sun - lots to do, incredible service and most importantly we felt so safe everywhere we went.

It's truly incredible. I've sat under it for about an hour staring up at it glittering away.

No. Absolutely not.

Ugh no. I've been a few times to visit friends and for work but I have always got a big massive ick being there.

Soulless concrete jungle built by slaves.

Once was enough.

If you're a man.

A straight man.

Not if you paid me.

Not right now regardless of human rights, fact you could end up in prison for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

its safe for women and families too.

likewise for gay people. Now that’s not me saying it’s a bastion of lgbtq rights because it’s obviously not, and the laws are homophobic but the region operates on a don’t ask don’t tell basis. As long as there was never any pda then you’d be fine. I have gay friends that work there, they were initially stationed in Kuwait I think where it was invasive, there were rumours of physical exams conducted I believe

Yes, I actually have only holidayed in Western Europe. France, Spain, Greece including the islands etc. I live in Surrey and have never been to Scotland, Wales or Ireland. Never ventured further North than Alton Towers 🤭
I suppose its not surprising Dubai looks like hell to someone like me...

@Terrifiedofthedentist Physical exams?!!

Fuck no! Nothing would take me anywhere in that region.

I don’t know if it ever came into force, but I think it was proposed a while back. I think similar exists/ existed in lebanon

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2013/10/kuwait-must-reject-proposed-homophobic-medical-tests-migrant-workers/

Doesnt the whole "modern slavery" thing put you off? (You arent the only one saying you enjoy it, so this isn't having a go at you, just your post was the one where I couldn't keep the question in any longer.)

That 'incredible service' frequently comes at enormous, brutal, emotional human cost.

I could not square that one with myself. Smiling away, knowing what lies behind it all. Ugh.

We're hoping to spend winters there after we retire, so I holiday in other places for now.

No, other places hold more appeal.

I like cities but there are more interesting cities, and I like hot weather and pools but live in a country with both. I’m not interested in shopping. I’ve travelled all over the world and have rarely felt unsafe and the idea that it’s remarkable for one poster that there ‘wasn’t a drunk in sight’ suggests to me nothing more than that that poster needs to broaden their usual travel itinerary.

I think it would be disingenuous to pretend I don’t already benefit from modern slavery on a daily basis.

Not a chance but I know people who love it and go regularly 🤷🏼‍♀️ Each to their own I guess.

I have a friend who goes to Dubai for Christmas most years. She is single and finds it very safe. She doesn't get hassled like she does in European holiday desinations.

"Incredible service" by workers whose passports have been confiscated and know they better deliver excellent service for peanuts or they might get their hands chopped off. Glad you appreciated it.