Abu Dhabi

[GwenaelleLaGourmande]

Does anyone know anything about it?

DH has been contacted about a job there.

Vvvvv early stages and a completely new idea for us..

Thank you Kelly
It really annoys me when the armchair warriors jump in with their ill informed opinions
Sadly Op, you will encounter this abuse if you take the plunge. Some people struggle to see past their own noses and the jealously takes hold
I watched a programme the other say about illegal immigrants in the UK who lived in complete squallor and were paid less than a 1/6 of the national wage. Anyone care to discuss?

OrangePeels - Ha ha ha. Britain is such a dump isn't it? And all that having to turn out to vote in May is such a bore.

Given the staggeringly low turn out at elections, it would seem much of the uk population agrees with you.

I am currently in Abu Dhabi on business, and I must say I am fascinated with this place. The weather is fabulous right now - but then it is not summer. The people have been very friendly and welcoming, and yes, I do worry about how the migrant workers are treated, but only due to what you see and hear about it, not on any evidence while I am here.

I feel safe when I go out - day or night. And I have been interested to see what is evidently a softening of the culture. For example, I have seen couples out together in restaurants, which would have been unusual even a few years ago. However, it seems most people go out in single sex groups. Children are obviously loved and certainly tolerated with good humor everywhere.

There are a lot of women working in interesting roles - and yes, they wear an abaya, generally, but I have not been made to feel uncomfortable for not wearing one. I have made sure my clothes are generally modest, but basically I am wearing what I would wear in the US in my office, with one or two minor exceptions.

I have had 1 occasion where a man has been rude to me, but hey, I can tell you of plenty of those at home, so I am not clear whether it was cultural or he was a dick.

It is certainly expensive, and you need to make sure your package takes that into account if you are considering coming here, and I understand that living and working here is a lot about hurry up and wait, but if you are prepared for that, I am sure it would be a wonderful place to spend a few years and learn about.

"And yes they wear an abaya generally" Spamm are you sure you're in Abu dhabi?? - or are you referring to local women? The vast majority of women in Abu dhabi do not wear abayas, either in work or outside work.

Many public places request shoulders and knees are covered but most people (sadly) ignore this rule and are not sanctioned in any way.

Sorry - I should have said local women, and certainly not all of them. I have seen a very broad range of clothing, from very short skirts, to ridiculously elaborate dresses and some really ridiculous designer gear. But generally the business women I have met are either in nice suits (skirts or trousers) or an abaya. Some of the women I am traveling with are wearing shorter skirts and I find it a bit embarrassing that they have not done their homework and dressed appropriately. I have made sure my team is.

Kelly - The turnout in our last General Election (in 2010 in case you were too busy experiencing another culture at a Quiz night with Greavsey in the British Club in Abu Dhabi to remember) was 65.1%. I wouldn't call that a staggeringly low turnout. Close to two thirds of the population turned out to have their say. And those not turning out to vote were exercising their choice NOT to vote.

You are hilarious alpha!

Turns out I can google too, local election turn out in 2014 was 36%. Wow!

Anyway, I'll leave you to get back to google and the daily mail as your source of world culture.

I have just come back form my 10th visit to Abu Dhabi, I love the place and if DH said he was offered a job there I have told him, don't wait to ask me, just say yes! I also go often in July and August, the heat really doesn't bother me.

It is a great place to live and i have lots of friends there now too, and they all love it. Mot weekends they go on lovely trips to other resorts, generally having a great life!

Alpha, do you have a specific issue or just like to rain on parades? The OP asked for information regarding AD and many kind people have given their opinions of LIVING or WORKING in the UAE. I suspect you have done neither. I doubt you have even visited the UAE before forming your prejudices.

You have been staggeringly rude to those trying to help the OP. Somewhat akin to a drunk outside a bar shouting "come on then" at every person walking past. May I ask what your particular grievance is with the UAE and what qualifies you to hold those opinions?

Spamm - I'm surprised you think that seeing couples out together as a softening. My DH moved to Dubai in 1982 and it was common for couples and families to go out together then! AD isn't much different to Dubai so, although I'm no expert on AD, I would have thought it common to see couples together there too? If you mean local couples then yes, it is less common to see them out for a meal alone. It's more the culture to go out in family groups. Expats generally do exactly as they would in the UK! Genuinely interested as to why you would think that

As for dressing, it is accepted that people dress to their own culture. Although, a female's shoulders and knees should be covered in public. During Ramadan many expats choose to cover more as a sign of respect. This isn't expected though.

Babyb makes a very good point. Prior to moving to the UAE make sure your UK will is in place to cover your home assets and any overseas assets. You would also need a UAE will to ensure that any funds or chattels would pass to you in the event of the unforeseen. The law here dictates that anything your husband or you own or have would pass to his nearest living make relative and not to you. A simple will sorts that problem out. Within that you need to specify a male guardian for your children as you don't have an automatic right to them. A family friend or relative in the UAE as a temporary measure plus your wishes for a permanent guardian.

Male guardian*
The permanent guardian can be female ??

Alpha - when did I say Britain was a dump? I merely pointed out that Britain was also far from perfect.

Orange - yes, I mean local couples.

Same with the groups - I was generally referring to locals, although I know that is not obvious either.

I did not really know what to expect, so it is fun to learn more about how things work and how much is changing.

This happens to every single thread about the UAE. No wonder the poster is long gone. I've given up trying to help people asking for information as soon enough people pile in who gave no idea about life over here. Considering everyone in MN denies reading the Daily Mail, their nonsense seems to get quoted enough!

It's a great place to live. It's getting better every year. Women have plenty of rights. Minimum salary and living conditions are being improved. People from all over the world live and work together. It's safe. I am happy to raise 2 daughters here. More UAE women go to university (pro rata) than anywhere else in the world. But to many people on MN, we live in a country where we have no freedom and can get stoned to death.

This never happens when someone asks about a move to China - look at their record of human rights. Or when someone asks about a move to Egypt - FGM is common practice there. I could go on, but will no doubt be shouted down on every point I make, so will stop now.

sandy and orange - the voices of reason!

i adore living here, for all of the reasons you mention and more.

let people have their misguided misconceptions - stops people from moving here and increasing the traffic :)

Well Kelly you have hit the nail on the head! Want a reason to hate dubai? The traffic and driving standards!

I wouldn't go there if you paid me. Would rather not be imprisoned for the horrible crimes of being gay.

anti homosexuality laws remain in place in 13 states of that backwards hellhole of a third world country, the United States of America. Oman, with a gay Sultan, still has those laws on the books. It's only in our very recent history that they've been removed in the UK.

anyway. I went to Abu Dhabi on holiday and blinking loved it, and got speaking to a few of the ex pat locals who came to hang out at the hotel at the weekend / on holiday. The one lady who was working (in Dubai) used a driver because she didn't feel comfortable driving but that was because of the standard of driving on the roads rather than being a mere woman etc. (I'd do it in a shot...)

AFAIK no US state currently outlaws homosexuality, although it would be irrelevant if they did as this thread is not about the US. I'm simply saying I don't wouldn't want to visit a place that outlawed part of who I am even though it harms no one.

Godofthunder, No one bothers you if you're gay here. Ive probably got more gay friends here than I did in the uk, and I worked in the village in Manchester!!

I think if you visited you'd find perceptions don't match reality, again.

The government care. You really think I'd be able to openly have a consensual relationship with someone of the same sex there?
www.theguardian.com/world/2005/nov/30/gayrights.brianwhitaker

Wonder what kind of ridiculous, barbaric test they're devising to stop us going in the first place?
lgbtweekly.com/2013/10/08/gulf-cooperation-countries-to-test-detect-then-ban-gays-from-entering-their-countries/

Well plenty of my friends and colleagues have consensual relationships with people of the same sex.

Perhaps rather than google, you could base opinions on real life experiences.

Why? Are you saying that those things never happened? That it's not illegal to be gay on Abu Dhabi?