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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you go to the UAE?

227 replies

Sleepdeprivedbadger23 · 14/08/2025 16:57

I’ve always had zero interest in a holiday in Dubai because it’s not my scene - I am more a European villa or active holiday person and not into designer gear so politely nod along if friends tell me about their Dubai holidays.

I also know the human and women’s rights etc are generally very poor. I’ve heard from relatives who have lived there for periods and they also found migrant workers in the hotels they were working in were treated really badly.

My in laws have now moved there. I’m not keen on visiting, but obviously DP wants to see his family.

Would you go for a visit to family? There’s lots of places I would rather not spend loads of time in (the US at the moment to be honest!) but if someone bought me a trip to NYC I would probably go…!

OP posts:
FettleOfKish · 14/08/2025 22:28

A well timed thread. I’m 100% against holidaying there, I was even pissed off when a trip to Africa years ago ended up being rerouted via Dubai, but I found out today that my only sibling is moving there. So Yes, I will probably visit, but it’s because I want my only DS to have a relationship with his few close relatives on my side of the family. I’ve got no interest in anything the country ‘offers’.

Bubblesgun · 14/08/2025 22:28

Yes same. If my kids move there o d visit too

PurpleChrayn · 14/08/2025 22:28

I wouldn’t go.

People of my religion and nationality aren’t exactly adored there so it could actually be dangerous.

Zov · 14/08/2025 22:29

Not in a million years would I go there.

Cinaferna · 14/08/2025 22:30

If family lived there I would. If I had to do a work trip I would (I do some online work for UAE so it would be a bit disingenuous to not meet colleagues in person.) But I'd never ever choose Dubai as a holiday destination. It completely creeps me out. It's weird, just thinking about it makes me feel trapped. We know it was built by modern day slaves and it's a temple to Mamon, yet people think it's a cool destination. Consumerism/materialism bore me for the most part so not my thing at all.

Ddakji · 14/08/2025 22:32

I would definitely go to visit family, and I’d be interested in the experience, but I wouldn’t otherwise.

Notmyreality · 14/08/2025 22:39

Ah the weekly Dubai bashing thread!
Only matched by the weekly “ Visit Dubai!” MN promotions.

RubySquid · 14/08/2025 22:59

Sleepdeprivedbadger23 · 14/08/2025 19:47

They do come back once a year and have lived overseas before so we are used to seeing them 1-2 times a year some years.

I haven’t actually priced it up and we’re not loaded so it may be a moot point! But DH has asked and I’ve been a bit cagey about my answer…! He knows my views and he shares them, but he’s not asking me if I’d move there.

The incident in Qatar airport with the newborn baby scared me though! I’m a catastrophiser so think it might happen to me even though (hopefully) it was a one off!

What has doha got to do with the UAE?

Original poster
Sleepdeprivedbadger23 · 15/08/2025 06:32

@RubySquid correct me if I am wrong but I assume the laws on having babies outside of marriage are the same?

OP posts:
CastleofMey · 15/08/2025 06:45

Sleepdeprivedbadger23 · 15/08/2025 06:32

@RubySquid correct me if I am wrong but I assume the laws on having babies outside of marriage are the same?

See UAE Decree Law number 31 of 2021, Article 410.

Why would you assume that laws in two completely different countries would be the same OP?

Alltheoldpaintings · 15/08/2025 06:46

No, I’m not going anywhere that doesn’t consider me to be fully human. It would almost certainly be fine, but if there’s any problem it could be awful.

katscamel · 15/08/2025 06:58

Definitely but I've lived in the region for several years and have friends there. I dont necessarily like the way it's developed over the years or how tourism has impacted some of the culture and traditions though. Of course the way labourers (especially) are treated is an issue though (slow) process is being made on this.
I think the thing i like best is the safety. I feel far safer there than anywhere in the UK and a lot of other countries tbh.

MrsToothyBitch · 15/08/2025 07:08

I wouldn't. If it was to visit family / friends living there I'd go out to see them if I had to, but the place really doesn't appeal for many reasons- so I hope I'm never in that situation.

jersey2021 · 15/08/2025 07:09

We normally go at least once a year but we’re not this year sadly. It’s a great place! We’ve been to most of it now and have lots of friends there. We will also be moving there in the next few years. I always feel incredibly safe, and have a great time. Quite frankly I think America is worse and we’ve been there twice already this year and going for Christmas again.

GlastoNinja · 15/08/2025 07:14

Not a hope in hell. I’d judge someone who would move there too

Sparklesandspandexgallore · 15/08/2025 07:14

Yes I would go to visit family.

Twilightstarbright · 15/08/2025 07:41

All my in laws live in places I wouldn’t visit out of choice but I suck it up to maintain a relationship.

Probablyshouldntsay · 15/08/2025 07:44

No, I would like to see it with my own eyes but I’m a single, unmarried mum. My children don’t have the same surname as me. I’d be worried about what might happen if things went wrong

Olinguita · 15/08/2025 07:51

No, I wouldn't. Dubai has a frightening culture of detaining people for all kinds of reasons, some extremely flimsy, and locking them up for long periods of time. See people who got imprisoned or had a travel ban placed on them for leaving a negative review of a restaurant or business on Google. Look up and organisation called Detained in Dubai.

Charlthg · 15/08/2025 08:19

It’s always hilarious to see little islanders on an increasingly poor and irrelevant corner of the world taking the moral high ground over somewhere their own country folk are flocking to make new lives.

There is some kind of astonishing superiority complex in this country where people cannot afford heating in the winter, air con in the summer, pay taxes through the nose for almost nothing in return, get locked up for saying the wrong thing, forced to say that men can be women, and actual women’s safety being compromised in the name of diversity and ‘be kind’.

The UAE at least looks after its own. And doesn’t screw them over.

Charlthg · 15/08/2025 08:20

Olinguita · 15/08/2025 07:51

No, I wouldn't. Dubai has a frightening culture of detaining people for all kinds of reasons, some extremely flimsy, and locking them up for long periods of time. See people who got imprisoned or had a travel ban placed on them for leaving a negative review of a restaurant or business on Google. Look up and organisation called Detained in Dubai.

Yeah it’s called, ‘When in Rome….’

This country could do with enforcing laws on people coming here too. It would be such a novel idea.

Clearinguptheclutter · 15/08/2025 08:20

If it was to see family I’d grudgingly go

Original poster
Sleepdeprivedbadger23 · 15/08/2025 08:39

Charlthg · 15/08/2025 08:19

It’s always hilarious to see little islanders on an increasingly poor and irrelevant corner of the world taking the moral high ground over somewhere their own country folk are flocking to make new lives.

There is some kind of astonishing superiority complex in this country where people cannot afford heating in the winter, air con in the summer, pay taxes through the nose for almost nothing in return, get locked up for saying the wrong thing, forced to say that men can be women, and actual women’s safety being compromised in the name of diversity and ‘be kind’.

The UAE at least looks after its own. And doesn’t screw them over.

I can’t say I agree with any of this, and have a close family member who’s recently had the all clear from bowel cancer after a gruelling but exceptional treatment by the NHS.

Do you really think the UAE would help someone heat their home (or rather, AC their home!) if they were unemployed, or on a low income? There is no welfare state.

OP posts:
kim204 · 15/08/2025 08:40

It's not exactly my number one holiday destination but I'd certainly go even without family there. I'd do a short UAE trip combined with a longer time in Oman which is supposed to be wonderful.

OneCoralCat · 15/08/2025 08:45

Sleepdeprivedbadger23 · 15/08/2025 08:39

I can’t say I agree with any of this, and have a close family member who’s recently had the all clear from bowel cancer after a gruelling but exceptional treatment by the NHS.

Do you really think the UAE would help someone heat their home (or rather, AC their home!) if they were unemployed, or on a low income? There is no welfare state.

Show quote history

Emiratis do get a variety of state ‘benefits’ - free healthcare, education (including university), housing loans/grants, utility subsidies, child allowances etc