I agree. There are a lot of men in Dubai, but the vast majority of them just don’t make the cut!!
The following article appeared in Gulf News today (Jan. 10, 2008)
Despite the 1:2 ratio loneliness remains a sticking point for single women in UAE
By Dina El Shammaa, Staff Reporter
Published: January 09, 2009, 23:48
Abu Dhabi: Loneliness is a big issue in the UAE for single women from their 20s to 40s in addition to career challenges and the fact that they hardly have any free time.
For Francys Arias C, 25, a production engineer from Venezuela, mall-hopping, catching up with friends and roaming the streets freely without fear, are just a few of the activities women can enjoy in Abu Dhabi.
"But loneliness is a big issue, despite the fact there are more men than women here," she says.
However, she does love the privileges women enjoy in this male-dominated society. Privileges such as women-only queues.
When Arias first settled in Abu Dhabi, she felt the mix of cultures would help her find a suitable partner.
However, after two years, she started to realise that Abu Dhabi is a "transitional place" which made her feel like "an old woman at a train station watching passers-by come and go."
"It's routine life," she said. "Waking up at seven, working for eight hours, burning calories at the gym, then going back home. It is a hard and competitive, hard world. It can be boring, but this is the price you pay as a female who has the opportunity to save money and live a high standard of living, which one cannot easily find in another country," she said.
Arias is invited to at least two farewell parties a month.
"The chance of finding a single guy and starting a relationship is next to nil," she says.
When Filipina engineer Cheryl Trugillo, 27, decided to move to Abu Dhabi, she was convinced she would grow professionally. She enjoys being part of a multi-cultural society. Her biggest challenge is finding a life partner.
"Meeting people is not hard, but finding real friends who are not transitional is difficult. I think of my life here as temporary, and feel that if a girl finds a partner these days, she's simply lucky. If not, then she only focuses on her career and enjoys the life this country has to offer," she says.
Born and raised in Abu Dhabi and now working as an engineer, Abeer Karameh who is Lebanese and 24, feels that it is not only singles who suffer, but also married women, who face torrid times being "hit on" by men.
Women with demanding jobs have no time to enjoy their lives. "As for women who have a 9 to 5 job, these are the ones that need to fill their time with activities, which are costly."
German national Jelena Bundesmann, 45, is head of business administration in one company, and feels that life in Abu Dhabi is different than that in Europe, in spite of it being open minded, multi-cultural and safe. This is her first time to live and work in an Arab country.
"I have worked in an international company for many years. I have to say that Abu Dhabi has so far brought me no surprises as a white European, non-Muslim woman. I feel accepted and welcomed here," she said.
She appreciates the time one can spend at various sports and hobbies. "I love yoga and fitness offers here, and I use them!"
Annaliese Regan Adelaide, an Australian aged 32, feels that living in Abu Dhabi requires patience, understanding and the need to be respectful of local and various cultures.
Independent women
Single women everywhere know that being single is fun. Here's why?
You don't have to fight for the remote control
You have control over what you spend
There will be no shoes in the middle of the room to trip over at six in the morning.
You don't have anyone saying, "You're not going to wear that, are you?'"
You can have as many mood swings as you want
You have the freedom to choose.
You can sleep peacefully without any snoring to keep you awake and irritate you.