No you can not expect to have the same friends and relationships here as you do at home, but it is also increasingly difficult to find honest and real friendships also as everyone is trying to keep up with jones's and has forgotten how they used to live

How many people can afford to run a 4X4 in the UK or Eire, tas, insure and fill with gas, not many i can tell you


How many people have maids also, 9 years ago when i lived in london i paid a lady 8 pounds an hour to do my ironing , nearly 60 dhs an hour,

How many times can you go out to eat or drink in a 5* hotel in UK or EIre, we do it here every weekend, probably more.

We are all living fake lives here, admit it, but the important thing is that you realise this and stay grounded and not act like an expzt brat unfortunatley Dubai i have found to be completely OTT and FAKE

No unfortunatley its not a minority, i wish it was, i see it all the time.

oh...lol...so those are the qualifications are they...

I am sorry, but I cannot see how the fact that here you can drive a 4x4, or that you can go out for dinner more makes you fake...where is the connection to that...so what are people supposed to do, they earn good money, but they cannot then go and spend it and have a different lifestyle than they did back home...who made that rule?

As far as the maids are concerned, for some maids are invaluable...don't forget that the majority of people cannot rely on some sort of network over here like most can back home...there you have friends, family and decent childcare for those that work...here you are on your own...
Anyway, the maids won't be better of if people wouldn't employ them, many support whole families in their home countries with their salaries...(and no, of course I am not condoning those who abuse their maids)

plus...what's the harm in indulging a bit, for a few years...why be so hard on yourself and deny what is offered here...I cannot see the point myself...you only live once and you'd better make sure you'll have as good a time as you can...why the sour attitude...

speak for yourself...don't have the audacity to assume anything about us and what we had and did before moving here...

MM, xx

Oh dear, how is it that you can not see the connection, read the posts again. lionheart. twistopher and myself are all on the same page?

So because we have no network here we should employ someone . pay them a pittance to make our lives easier and that argument that they can feed an army in their country on their salary is OLD and WEAK

And i am not sour just truthful and realistic

Its called the minimum wage and workers rights.

hello,

so why did you move here if your life was perfect in the UK????

Get real

err...because i wanted to try something different...experience living in another country...

MM, xx

I don't think we'll manage to agree on this.
I think it's something you become hardened to as you spend more and more time here - newcomers can spot the arrogant false behaviour a mile off and find it irrittating to say the least.
Having said that, i grew up in the Middle East and was never allowed to become an expat brat because i was lucky enough to have parents who were very grounded.
I do think it's human nature to react to your environment (i.e. some people will become your typical spoilt shit, much like a lot of the traders in London) and others will remain fairly well grounded.
I'd love the see the idiots return to UK when they are done out here and see how long they last before someone smacks them one for being obnoxious!

hello....

ok...again, I have stated I do not agree with the abuse or exploitation of maids (or anyone else for that matter)...but that is not what we are talking about here...

Fake people...that's what this is about, and you couple this to driving a different car than back home, eating out more and having a maid...well, I don't see the connection, unless you generally think that people that earn a nice salary and live a comfortable lifestyle are per se fake...

Tell me how people should live their lives so you won't take offense...maybe then it becomes a bit more clear...

there is no need to get abusive, we are just having a discussion...

Well said MH!
I get tired of people bashing on about Dubai, I work hard, I am self employed, I don't get my rent paid or medical insurance or flights home paid for.
If I don't work I don't earn.
I live in a nice Villa(my choice) I have a full time live in housemaid. She has a good life and plenty of time off (only me and my dogs to look after!)
I Love Dubai, I eat in 5* restaurants, do the mani/pedi thing every week. Do Brunch every Friday and go out for drinks once or twice a week.
The people who know me know I am NOT fake, I have my feet firmly on the ground. Why shouldn't I enjoy the fruits of my labour? Am I suppose to travel on a bus just because I might annoy somebody because I am extragavant and use taxis all the time? Anyway,I don't have anything to wear on a bus!!!

No one being abusive just putting their points across.

Debating sometimes gets heated

I just didn't care much for the 'get real' comment....but maybe that's just me

Patsy
lol

I to am self employed , pay my rent, school fees, medical. flights home etc so glad to know you and yes if i dont work i dont get paid and i to go out every weekend have the mani /peds etc but patsy i have been here 9 years and we who are still grounded, down to earth and treat all people equal are very much in the minority and could we live this life in UK, no we couldnt.

UK is too expensive for that?

Yes and i say work hard . play hard but dont forget the have nots and be real

by the way does everyone think you are rolling in it cos u work for yourself???

No offence was meant

I didnt like the "sour attitude" that someone gave me but thats ok