Dubai Forums Dubai Discussions Dubai General Chat

All that glitters is not gold. There are many
Dubai is one of the most expensive cities to live in, according to a survey by Mercer Consulting.
For expat workers, according to khaleej times Dubai is the most expensive city for foreign workers
Unmarried couples can’t officially live together, although this law is not very strictly implemented.
Schooling for expats children is really expensive.
Citizenship laws are very strict, the number of foreign workers out number locals and a work permit does not guarantee citizenship.
Changing employers is not as convenient as in most other countries.
Minimum wage laws are there but the lack of awareness seems to prevail.
Long working hours can also be a concern.
Scotching desert heat, specially in the summers can be a real set off.

Now many of the problems are issues you would face in other GCC cities as well.

However schooling is one issue that is probably very bad in Dubai compared to elsewhere.

Also racism in Dubai is less than in some neighbouring places

I really wonder what was the reason for this to be posted, something that was posted elsewhere more than 6 months ago???

A good reminder of the summary I made for myself a few months ago. Freedom is the biggest limitation.

Thanks Ahmed

RobbyG wrote:A good reminder of the summary I made for myself a few months ago. Freedom is the biggest limitation.

Thanks Ahmed

This is your problem RG, you are like the Spanish Waiter you "Know Nothing"

sage & onion wrote:

RobbyG wrote:A good reminder of the summary I made for myself a few months ago. Freedom is the biggest limitation.

Thanks Ahmed

This is your problem RG, you are like the Spanish Waiter you "Know Nothing"

Thats because you think way more superficial than I do. I think in terms of the socio-economic structure and the laws of the land that don't resemble anything close to what I'm used to.

You don't even have a backbone. Let alone some character to agree with the obvious.
Your words carry no credibility and I've proven that many times.

RobbyG wrote:

sage & onion wrote:

RobbyG wrote:A good reminder of the summary I made for myself a few months ago. Freedom is the biggest limitation.

Thanks Ahmed

This is your problem RG, you are like the Spanish Waiter you "Know Nothing"

Thats because you think way more superficial than I do. I think in terms of the socio-economic structure and the laws of the land that don't resemble anything close to what I'm used to.

You don't even have a backbone. Let alone some character to agree with the obvious.
Your words carry no credibility and I've proven that many times.

You know what RG, I live in Dubai, have done for the past 20 years, and I am not leaving any day soon. Do you know why???????????????????????????????????????
Because it's a damn sight better than living where you are.

Robbie

Sage does have a point you know. Both of us bought property in Dubai when they were practically giving them away.

Sage earns buckets loads of tax free cash and buys his cars for half what you and i pay for them. He gets about 340 days a years when he can sit outside and BBQ. He pays half what of what you and i pay for utilities and pays about the same for his food.

He can eat out in a 5* hotel and drink as much as he likes for what you and i would pay to eat in an averagely crap restaurant. His can fill his tank of petrol for 80% less than you and i pay and someone even puts the petrol in for him , his servicing costs are 75% cheaper too. He pays around 1/2 of what you and i pay for a car wash and gets the inside valeted too.

Sage doesn't care if there are uncompleted developments in Duabi - his is, and its very nice too. Sage doesn't care if A owes B money, why would he. Sage doesn't care if AD has to bail Dubai Inc out, it doesn't affect him. Sage doesn't care if the property market crashes, he owns his outright and the value is of no concern to him because he isn't going to sell his villa. Sage doesn't care how many crooks are out there in Dubai, none of this concerns him or bothers him. Sage doesn't care how many hit squads there are in dubai, they are not there to kill him. Sage doesn't care if DIFC crashes he doesn't have any shares. Sage doesn't care if the Arabic banks give a crap service and are nearly as bankrupt as Dubai Inc, because i know he banks with a British Bank in Dubai and i am sure like me, he gets fantastic service.

Robbie, why whould Sage really care what you think about him, he's doing just fine, well more than just fine to be frank, and i for one take my hat off to him.

arniegang wrote:Robbie

Sage does have a point you know. Both of us bought property in Dubai when they were practically giving them away.

Sage earns buckets loads of tax free cash and buys his cars for half what you and i pay for them. He gets about 340 days a years when he can sit outside and BBQ. He pays half what of what you and i pay for utilities and pays about the same for his food.

He can eat out in a 5* hotel and drink as much as he likes for what you and i would pay to eat in an averagely crap restaurant. His can fill his tank of petrol for 80% less than you and i pay and someone even puts the petrol in for him , his servicing costs are 75% cheaper too. He pays around 1/2 of what you and i pay for a car wash and gets the inside valeted too.

Sage doesn't care if there are uncompleted developments in Duabi - his is, and its very nice too. Sage doesn't care if A owes B money, why would he. Sage doesn't care if AD has to bail Dubai Inc out, it doesn't affect him. Sage doesn't care if the property market crashes, he owns his outright and the value is of no concern to him because he isn't going to sell his villa. Sage doesn't care how many crooks are out there in Dubai, none of this concerns him or bothers him. Sage doesn't care how many hit squads there are in dubai, they are not there to kill him. Sage doesn't care if DIFC crashes he doesn't have any shares. Sage doesn't care if the Arabic banks give a crap service and are nearly as bankrupt as Dubai Inc, because i know he banks with a British Bank in Dubai and i am sure like me, he gets fantastic service.

Robbie, why whould Sage really care what you think about him, he's doing just fine, well more than just fine to be frank, and i for one take my hat off to him.

Well thanks M8 and Amen, not a lot to add really.

Hey don't get me wrong, I hope you guys enjoy the financial wealth you received from proper actions. Nothing wrong with that right! I'm a capitalist too remember!

Its that awful Sage bias that kicks my character on fire. I can't stand hypocrisy and will happily tell anyone who is painting a picture that is just not valid.

You may have done great, but you got to have some character too. At least I noticed some with you Arnie. I'm willing to change my point of view quite easily...if the other is willing to be reasonable too.

Its not that hard to be balanced.

RobbyG wrote:Hey don't get me wrong, I hope you guys enjoy the financial wealth you received from proper actions. Nothing wrong with that right! I'm a capitalist too remember!

Its that awful Sage bias that kicks my character on fire. I can't stand hypocrisy and will happily tell anyone who is painting a picture that is just not valid.

You may have done great, but you got to have some character too. At least I noticed some with you Arnie. I'm willing to change my point of view quite easily...if the other is willing to be reasonable too.

Its not that hard to be balanced.

Its not hard for me to be balanced Robbie because Sage and I have been friends for years. With respect you dont know him, i do. Just because someone doesn't agree with you and to be honest Robbie i can see why Sage doesn't, shouldn't make them the brunt of whatever you want to throw or say to him.

You have to realise why Sages perception of Dubai differs so greatly from yours and that is the reason why i posted above about him.

Just because almost every article printed in papers and online highlights the flaws in the economy of Dubai and all the crap that surrounds it, people like Mr & Mrs Sage (and many others) know about it, of course they do they are intellegent people but..........it has no reflection on or affects their lives in any way.

Dubai has given many many honest hard working people the opportunity to make something of their lives, is it any wonder they wont join in with you and others in constantly Dubai Bashing.

arniegang wrote:Robbie

Sage does have a point you know. Both of us bought property in Dubai when they were practically giving them away.

Sage earns buckets loads of tax free cash and buys his cars for half what you and i pay for them. He gets about 340 days a years when he can sit outside and BBQ. He pays half what of what you and i pay for utilities and pays about the same for his food.

He can eat out in a 5* hotel and drink as much as he likes for what you and i would pay to eat in an averagely crap restaurant. His can fill his tank of petrol for 80% less than you and i pay and someone even puts the petrol in for him , his servicing costs are 75% cheaper too. He pays around 1/2 of what you and i pay for a car wash and gets the inside valeted too.

Sage doesn't care if there are uncompleted developments in Duabi - his is, and its very nice too. Sage doesn't care if A owes B money, why would he. Sage doesn't care if AD has to bail Dubai Inc out, it doesn't affect him. Sage doesn't care if the property market crashes, he owns his outright and the value is of no concern to him because he isn't going to sell his villa. Sage doesn't care how many crooks are out there in Dubai, none of this concerns him or bothers him. Sage doesn't care how many hit squads there are in dubai, they are not there to kill him. Sage doesn't care if DIFC crashes he doesn't have any shares. Sage doesn't care if the Arabic banks give a crap service and are nearly as bankrupt as Dubai Inc, because i know he banks with a British Bank in Dubai and i am sure like me, he gets fantastic service.

Robbie, why whould Sage really care what you think about him, he's doing just fine, well more than just fine to be frank, and i for one take my hat off to him.

If he does not care about the negative stories about Dubai why is he censoring them ?

arniegang wrote:

RobbyG wrote:Hey don't get me wrong, I hope you guys enjoy the financial wealth you received from proper actions. Nothing wrong with that right! I'm a capitalist too remember!

Its that awful Sage bias that kicks my character on fire. I can't stand hypocrisy and will happily tell anyone who is painting a picture that is just not valid.

You may have done great, but you got to have some character too. At least I noticed some with you Arnie. I'm willing to change my point of view quite easily...if the other is willing to be reasonable too.

Its not that hard to be balanced.

Its not hard for me to be balanced Robbie because Sage and I have been friends for years. With respect you dont know him, i do. Just because someone doesn't agree with you and to be honest Robbie i can see why Sage doesn't, shouldn't make them the brunt of whatever you want to throw or say to him.

You have to realise why Sages perception of Dubai differs so greatly from yours and that is the reason why i posted above about him.

Just because almost every article printed in papers and online highlights the flaws in the economy of Dubai and all the crap that surrounds it, people like Mr & Mrs Sage (and many others) know about it, of course they do they are intellegent people but..........it has no reflection on or affects their lives in any way.

Dubai has given many many honest hard working people the opportunity to make something of their lives, is it any wonder they wont join in with you and others in constantly Dubai Bashing.

I sense you have other emotions besides mine. I understand, but that doesn't affect my stance on some Dubai matters I studied for over a year.

You can agree to disagree, but try and see my arguments in world perspective. If I were to focus too much on one (autocratic) nation, I would lose perspective on reality...

Bias creates ignorance. Not healthy. Alot of minds would agree with me.

It is pathetic.

Arniegang is a "3 trick" pony:

1. I made money in Dubai buying property - allegedly (ergo I am better than you).
2. I am moderator (ergo I am better than you and "know who you are")
3. I will defend Sage. (I need friends and Sage can't speak for himself).

Just pay attention to his posts - won't take you more 10 posts. Oh, and attacking those who dare critizice his old and tired posts and he'll say "I "know"who you are" (see "2" above)!!!

As to Sage aka Osama Bin Laden worshipper.

A. I love Dubai.
B. I've lived here 20 years,
C. I can't write more than 2 sentences and I am a moderator too (and "know" who you are).

And of course neither "cares" what is said but are the first to get their panties in a bunch at the first sign of criticism.

Stay tuned won't take more than a couple of post from either to show the above.

If any of you ever had any doubts about the identity of XPT I do believe that the posting above puts it all to rest.

XPT = CONCORD

sage & onion wrote:If any of you ever had any doubts about the identity of XPT I do believe that the posting above puts it all to rest.

XPT = CONCORD

didn't I tell you !!!!!!!!

See "2" and "C" in my post.

Hey Sage just keep on worshiping Osam Bin Laden, your hero. It will give do you good.

I got a hillarious pm (back in early December) about this XPT/Concord stuff but it is just too precious so I will continue "giving it a ride" for a bit longer - but will let you in the "secret". Quite Machiavellian

I have been here 27 years and i am definitely not as negative as Robby nor am I blindly optimistic as Sage/Arnie.

At the end of the day, its all up to priorities. If drinking every week and driving fast cars is all that matters, then yes, one will find Dubai great. In fact, some people will sacrifice much much more to get those (how else would people live in Doha).

On the other hand, some people care for things like a good civic society, good weather (Dubai has good weather only 5 months out of 12), good education etc.

What I dont believe is in using myself as an indicator of how good my place is.


You may have a good life in Dubai, but at least have the decency to admit that you have a good life in Dubai while many others may not. The other spineless option is to pretend that all is fine in Dubai and that there are no problems here just because you personally dont face them.

arniegang wrote:

RobbyG wrote:
Dubai has given many many honest hard working people the opportunity to make something of their lives, is it any wonder they wont join in with you and others in constantly Dubai Bashing.

There is a 3rd option other than Constant Dubai bashing and being a blind cheerleader for Dubai. It is called being onjective

DDS doesn come here often, but I recall he is also doing quite well, but would never indulge in blind worshipping, preferring rather, to be objective

BlackburnRovers wrote:I have been here 27 years and i am definitely not as negative as Robby nor am I blindly optimistic as Sage/Arnie.

At the end of the day, its all up to priorities. If drinking every week and driving fast cars is all that matters, then yes, one will find Dubai great. In fact, some people will sacrifice much much more to get those (how else would people live in Doha).

On the other hand, some people care for things like a good civic society, good weather (Dubai has good weather only 5 months out of 12), good education etc.

What I dont believe is in using myself as an indicator of how good my place is.


You may have a good life in Dubai, but at least have the decency to admit that you have a good life in Dubai while many others may not. The other spineless option is to pretend that all is fine in Dubai and that there are no problems here just because you personally dont face them.

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. There are many disadvantages to working in Dubai:

The cost of living is comparable to major cities such as London and New York. A 2009 survey ranked Dubai as the 20th most expensive city in the world.
Unmarried couples can’t officially live together, although in practice this rule is often broken.
There is no free schooling for expatriate children.
Workers shouldn’t expect to live in Dubai forever. A work permit does not confer citizenship.
Expats are frequently away from their family for long periods of time. Vacations are often spent visiting relatives rather than taking holidays.
Guest workers can’t change employers as freely as they can in their home countries.
Your job could be subject to Emiratisation as secretaries found out in June 2006.
There is no minimum wage, although this could soon change.
Your working hours could be longer than you are used to.
Despite the city having an extremely diverse population, there is little cultural integration outside the workplace. Westerners socialise with the other westerners, Filipinos with other Filipinos, etc.

XPT wrote:It is pathetic.

Arniegang is a "3 trick" pony:

1. I made money in Dubai buying property - allegedly (ergo I am better than you).
2. I am moderator (ergo I am better than you and "know who you are")
3. I will defend Sage. (I need friends and Sage can't speak for himself).

Just pay attention to his posts - won't take you more 10 posts. Oh, and attacking those who dare critizice his old and tired posts and he'll say "I "know"who you are" (see "2" above)!!!

As to Sage aka Osama Bin Laden worshipper.

A. I love Dubai.
B. I've lived here 20 years,
C. I can't write more than 2 sentences and I am a moderator too (and "know" who you are).

And of course neither "cares" what is said but are the first to get their panties in a bunch at the first sign of criticism.

Stay tuned won't take more than a couple of post from either to show the above.

You just cant help yourself can you ? Concord



pssssssssssssssst you are right about one thing me old matey - yup we know who you are

XPT wrote:

sage & onion wrote:If any of you ever had any doubts about the identity of XPT I do believe that the posting above puts it all to rest.

XPT = CONCORD

didn't I tell you !!!!!!!!

See "2" and "C" in my post.

Hey Sage just keep on worshiping Osam Bin Laden, your hero. It will give do you good.

I got a hillarious pm (back in early December) about this XPT/Concord stuff but it is just too precious so I will continue "giving it a ride" for a bit longer - but will let you in the "secret". Quite Machiavellian

Machiavellianism is also a term that some social and personality psychologists use to describe a person's tendency to deceive and manipulate others for personal gain.

The problem is Concs is that Ian can spell and you cant, so it really isn't that difficult.

BlackburnRovers wrote:

arniegang wrote:

RobbyG wrote:
Dubai has given many many honest hard working people the opportunity to make something of their lives, is it any wonder they wont join in with you and others in constantly Dubai Bashing.

There is a 3rd option other than Constant Dubai bashing and being a blind cheerleader for Dubai. It is called being onjective

DDS doesn come here often, but I recall he is also doing quite well, but would never indulge in blind worshipping, preferring rather, to be objective

BR

I dont know where people see it as being objective or onjective.

Of course expats like Sage and your good self know whats goes on etc etc etc. But the point of my post was to highlight that the majority of expats really do not care whether DW owes 3 million to a hotel etc etc etc. It doesn't affect any of you does it, and it never will.

Its a bit like me living happily in the UK and seing on the news that most of our 630 Members of Parliament have been on "the take", in fiddling their expenses. I know it happens, it doesn't bother me and i cant do anything about it, but i certainly wouldn't defend it if a load of Brit Bashers started posting on a forum.

People will only be passionate about something if it directly affects them, If it doesn't then its just an item of news.

I'll give an example in the last few days.

fight-club/istithmar-sued-for-stealing-t40750.html

Istithmar sued by Hotel

Viking Warrior and Robby posted with alternatives of bad language, i know what they meant and so did everyone else. The forum rules are quite clear in that the use of foul or bad language is not permitted. They both choose to ignore this rule and as such Sage transferred this thread to FC. He was quite correct in doing so, and had he not done so or spotted it, i would have.

The people concerned know this, and if they ignore repeated reminders then they are not in position to complain. Do people think they can only get their point across better or for it to have more impact if they use such language ?

Sage did not transfer the thread in question for reasons of censorship - End of.

RobbyG wrote:I'm willing to change my point of view quite easily...

Oh RobbyG, we have witnessed how quickly you can do that. You went from having a serious you-know-what to work in Dubai for a couple of years, to your recent revelation that Dubai doesn't quite suit you. You went from a defender to a basher overnight. I know you say you research everything, but when you researched Dubai at the very beginning because to work in Dubai was your somewhat ultimate dream, were they hiding all that information you recently stumbled upon that caused to you go sour on Dubai, because the reasons you give have always been in place.

Bora Bora wrote:

RobbyG wrote:I'm willing to change my point of view quite easily...

Oh RobbyG, we have witnessed how quickly you can do that. You went from having a serious you-know-what to work in Dubai for a couple of years, to your recent revelation that Dubai doesn't quite suit you. You went from a defender to a basher overnight. I know you say you research everything, but when you researched Dubai at the very beginning because to work in Dubai was your somewhat ultimate dream, were they hiding all that information you recently stumbled upon that caused to you go sour on Dubai, because the reasons you give have always been in place.

Excellent point.

It begins with a simple desire. Then you dive deeper into the matters. You encounter roadblocks that the mind denies as you are overly optimistic about your new endeavour. As you dive deeper, you find that the Dubai media machine pictures a rosy picture in one extreme and the other extreme being Herve's example and that 'torturing' justice system . From that and everything in between, I learned this year about Dubai and its socio-economic system, I'm off the rosy feeling. That would be obvious by now. The pendulum is at negative, already returning to equilibrium, so I'm balancing out here.

One learns along the way. I learned that hypocrisy and autocracy isn't my thing. So I'm moving on.

Gladly, there are more (evolved) nations around in this world, with the benefit of less volatile regions. If you focus on Iran for a moment, you would see that a war in one or two years from now is very likely. Especially if you consider the socio-economic influences of global recessions and the US/Israeli thought processes.

I told you earlier hon. There's more to it than a simple job. At least from my point of view.

RobbyG wrote:

Bora Bora wrote:

RobbyG wrote:I'm willing to change my point of view quite easily...

Oh RobbyG, we have witnessed how quickly you can do that. You went from having a serious you-know-what to work in Dubai for a couple of years, to your recent revelation that Dubai doesn't quite suit you. You went from a defender to a basher overnight. I know you say you research everything, but when you researched Dubai at the very beginning because to work in Dubai was your somewhat ultimate dream, were they hiding all that information you recently stumbled upon that caused to you go sour on Dubai, because the reasons you give have always been in place.

Excellent point.

It begins with a simple desire. Then you dive deeper into the matters. You encounter roadblocks that the mind denies as you are overly optimistic about your new endeavour. As you dive deeper, you find that the Dubai media machine pictures a rosy picture in one extreme and the other extreme being Herve's example and that 'torturing' justice system . From that and everything in between, I learned this year about Dubai and its socio-economic system, I'm off the rosy feeling. That would be obvious by now. The pendulum is at negative, already returning to equilibrium, so I'm balancing out here.

One learns along the way. I learned that hypocrisy and autocracy isn't my thing. So I'm moving on.

Gladly, there are more (evolved) nations around in this world, with the benefit of less volatile regions. If you focus on Iran for a moment, you would see that a war in one or two years from now is very likely. Especially if you consider the socio-economic influences of global recessions and the US/Israeli thought processes.

I told you earlier hon. There's more to it than a simple job. At least from my point of view.

Rob, you aren't going to find the "perfect" country to work in. If that's what you are looking for, then you will stay unemployed. Any country you relocate, as an expat, you are going to face restrictions, limitations, etc.

Of course not. I never said I looked for the 'perfect' country to work in. I might even stay here in Holland as I don't have to worry much in this country. Free as the world can be. Doesn't make it perfect aight?

But seriously, Dubai seems the safest, most glimmering place on earth from a media perspective, if you continue watching TV ads like a sheep...(yesterday on CNN for instance)
In reality its just an overreaching Arab state that borrowed money from abroad and alot of wannabee riches with certain hypocrites.

I'm young luv. I can lose a few years in pursuit for my prosperity and finally, a pension. Its all relative to me.

RobbyG wrote:.........if you continue watching TV ads like a sheep...

OMG!!!! It appears you have been spending time with Crudeboy. You are starting to sound just like him.

Bora Bora wrote:

RobbyG wrote:.........if you continue watching TV ads like a sheep...

OMG!!!! It appears you have been spending time with Crudeboy. You are starting to sound just like him.

LOL.

Blaaaaaaaaablaaaaaaaaaaablaaaaaaaaaaaâââtttttttt

Hiya Concord

If XPT is really you !!