I was once given a card from an Emirates airline pilot who lives in the same tower as me. I was minding my own business waiting for a taxi when he struck up a conversation with me. He asked me if I had a card, I didn't.
(he was German, btw)
This summer I got to know a lady who was on holiday and staying in our tower too. She was so excited one day when she told me she had got talking to a German pilot around the pool and he had given her his card.
She was very disappointed when I told her he had given me one of those last year.
I think this is what men do in Dubai and it doesn't really mean anything.
This time I was given a card by Carlos, a Columbian helicopter pilot but I didn't get one from Adel, a beautiful Lebonese man who worked for Yves St Laurent. Damn. He was having a second print run.