Page 5 | To have little sympathy for people who've moved to Dubai?

Flamingojune · 05/03/2026 16:20

TreesandGreen · 02/03/2026 04:25

I have to say that never in a million years would I go to Dubai, either to live or to go on holiday (the way they've historically treated women for starters) Give me a holiday in Wales in pouring rain any day over that. I struggle to understand people who are attracted to Dubai.
But, I still have empathy for the many normal people who are stuck there. I'm sure mostly perfectly normal people.
Actually, I'm currently house/animal sitting for a couple who are on holiday in Dubai. Absolutely lovely normal down-to-earth people who just fancied a bit of winter sun and a different culture. I was a bit shocked when I turned up and discovered they were going to Dubai, as they seemed more like south-of-France types. But, it just shows there's a huge range of people there. I know they're tourists rather than having made it their home; but still...
I'm very worried about them, and realise I'll probably need to stay on here for a few extra days. I feel very sorry for them.
Awful situation generally. Donald Trump is so evil. I know the regime in Iran is absolutely horrific; but illegal wars aren't the way to go about bringing change. Never ends well, as we saw with Iraq and Afghanistan. The Taliban are worse now than ever. I fear it might end up being even worse in Iran too. This crazy world.
Praying for peace, and for all innocents caught up in the midst of the situation 🙏

PS, sorry I went off on tangents 🤭

Edited

They are not that normal and 'down to earth' if they choose to go there

katscamel · 05/03/2026 16:50

Most people ..... or at least the ones I've worked with / met are there because the opportunities are far better than in their home countries. Yes, I could find similar work in the UK but there are far fewer positions paying a salary that would be enough to afford a decent place to live, pay bills, save and have enough to have a holiday or two. Does that make me a bad person? Do I agree with all their politics/ human rights issues, of course not but then I don't agree with most things that happen in the UK. Do I generally feel safer in the region than I do in the UK, definitely .... even with the current situation.

Annana5 · 05/03/2026 17:12

katscamel · 05/03/2026 16:50

Most people ..... or at least the ones I've worked with / met are there because the opportunities are far better than in their home countries. Yes, I could find similar work in the UK but there are far fewer positions paying a salary that would be enough to afford a decent place to live, pay bills, save and have enough to have a holiday or two. Does that make me a bad person? Do I agree with all their politics/ human rights issues, of course not but then I don't agree with most things that happen in the UK. Do I generally feel safer in the region than I do in the UK, definitely .... even with the current situation.

Ok so stay there and sort yourself out if the shit hits the fan.

JHound · 05/03/2026 17:20

VaxMerstappen · 01/03/2026 21:03

Firstly, let me say that say that I am not celebrating the fact that people have been killed in the latest conflict in the middle east in the slightest.

However, is anyone else struggling to empathise with all the influencers etc who for a long time have been lauding it up about how much better life is out there, and are now suddenly missing the safety and security of Blighty?

We have our problems, sure, but at least we're not in the middle of an active war zone. Nor is there much chance of us waking up to missile or drone attacks tomorrow.

It's been fairly well known for years that Dubai is a soulless hellhole with a frankly medieval attitude towards women's rights. Yet people still move there for tax reasons and then seemingly never shut up about how glad they are to have done so.

Maybe this development will make all those people realise just how relatively lucky we are to live in the UK?!

I have lots of sympathy and don’t understand the vitriol and bitterness towards those who relocate to seek a better quality of life.

Tebbit said “get on your bike”. They are doing just that.

Flamingojune · 05/03/2026 17:26

JHound · 05/03/2026 17:20

I have lots of sympathy and don’t understand the vitriol and bitterness towards those who relocate to seek a better quality of life.

Tebbit said “get on your bike”. They are doing just that.

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Yes jolly good for them. Tebbit such a great example to us all

JHound · 05/03/2026 17:31

Flamingojune · 05/03/2026 17:26

Yes jolly good for them. Tebbit such a great example to us all

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A good example as far as the specific suggestion that people should go where the opportunities are.

Why be broke and miserable when you don’t have to be?

Zimunya · 05/03/2026 17:35

Why is Dubai being singled out, specifically? Plenty of other cities in the UAE. Or does the OP not realise Dubai is a city within the UAE, not a country in it's own right?