Would you go to the UAE?

[Sleepdeprivedbadger23]

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…!

Why do you think they’ve had to make it illegal

No. It doesn't appeal at all.

It’s actually been illegal for quite some time. But yes, I’ve never said that shady employers aren’t a thing.

There is. 450aed would be unlimited brunch. 3500aed for dinner for 3?
Did you mean AED not £? i was there few months ago and it's cwrtainly not 1000aed pp for dinner or maccies. The cocktail, yeah. Alcohol is pricey there

Respect? Why should such "customs" be worthy of any kind of respect?

It's their religion and their faith. Not every society is like the west where promiscuity is seen as good and normal. Some societies and cultures value modesty.

Yes, I have been to Dubai twice and once to Doha. I would like to see more of that area.

In what way is a man being married to a man promiscuous?

I remember when we lived there, there was a case with a flight attendant who went out for some cocktails after a long shift, started talking to a few guys who apparently drugged and raped her. When she reported it to the police, they arrested her for having sex outside of marriage.

You do know it's only the women who are subjugated in that way, right? We used to live in the marina and a friend of ours had his drone shot down bc he got too close to a yacht that was owned by one of the crown princes and he kept capturing footage of prostitutes leaving his yacht. It's just a massive double standard.

Yes I absolutely would, your visit has no impact on making the lives of those we see an oppressed or taken advantage of any better or worse, especially if you are staying with family and not interested in the tourist bling.

I travelled in the region, including the emirates for work and there are some beautiful parts - it’s really only a tiny fraction of the place that is the tacky brash Dubai of influencers and social media. Do your research, there are wonderful outdoor and cultural activities to enjoy.

We have been to Abu Dhabi 3 times. I never saw the appeal tbh but we wenr once and love it. Probably one of my favourite holiday destinations. Not been to dubai though, don't really fancy that.

No, I meant £. We went out for dinner and drinks (we did drink a lot but just a normal amount of food) at the Taj and had a £700 tab for the 3 of us. My husband and I also went out for breakfast, just coffee, 1 smoothie and breakfast each (it was a vegan place but they are pretty common there) and the bill was £105. Skydiving was £600 each, but I guess you pay for the novelty of Skydiving over the palm. Maybe we went to more expensive places, I dunno, but unless you go to a mall or for fast food, it's only 5 star hotels. There are brunch deals but we didn't do brunch so can't speak to that.

It's forbidden and not seen as a real marriage in islam. That's why.

Pretty sure this has changed now. I think it was decriminalised in 2020.

I guess that's something, but they treated her rape as a choice she made and only punished her. Some things may have changed but it's still quite backwards in so many ways.

Yeah you did go to upmarket places. The breakfast price gives me shivers😂 Tbh I think you've been had on that bill.

There are plenty of options between 5* and fast food in Dubai.... And not in malls either. Like 100aed pp mixed seafood grills etc. Plenty to choose from.
But I do agree that the scond you get alcohol on a bill, the bill goes astronomical.

My point still stands. Why should anyone have to respect such blatant homophobia?

I can turn it on the heels are say not respecting clearly defined laws and customs of the UAE is Islamophobic.

Gay people can exist in the UAE, just refrain from engaging in homosexual acts and PDA. Actually not doing PDA is for everyone.

No. I absolutely would not go there.

😄lol.

I have been before and would go again but not to Dubai.
I found it soulless and too many superficial, money obsessed expats (that said, I was there for work and it was 15 years ago. It maybe different now.) I would visit Abu Dhabi instead.

So not being homophobic is islamaphobic? That's pretty twisted.

As is the idea that gay people "can exist" so long as they stay single and never get a chance to fall in love or have a family. Why would anyone respect that, let alone try to justify it?

It was decriminalized probably because it was getting (well deserved) negative press. Still happens in other Gulf states.

Its important to understand the local context and be well aware of these risks. Women used to be jailed for not sufficiently proving they were raped (ie they had sex outside marriage) and people have been jailed for ‘abusive texts’ (sometimes not much more than swearing at someone).

Totally agree