hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

I've sort of got job in Duabi with Emirates. I got through all the 5 interviews and tests to be told the job is on hold so they will be in touch jeje. I thought this is a good time for me to start doing my research.
I got some questions that haven't been answered after I ran a search here and I hope you don't mind giving me honest answers:

1. How many mixed race couples do you see in Dubai and has there ever been an issue? My fella and i are distinctly different.
2. I have read all the stuff about co habiting and get the impression it works as no one else knows and the lady doesn't get knocked up jeje. But does the fact we are of different race perhaps draw more attention to us should we chose this path?
3. If I am a woman working in Duabi alone will I get any hassle? In terms of career woman etc? Also I have read some nasty stories of women getting groped on the streets - is this really the case? Is it safe for a woman to be out alone at night? I know crime is low but do you get leered at a lot for no reason? And no I don't dress or behave like a hooker
4. Can women wear bikinis on the beach? Or is that at private beach hotels only? How do you know it is a private beach hotel beach? Are there fences on the beach?
5. Are there good health clubs (gym, pool, classes. spa) in Dubai and are they expensive?
6. I know the salary is tax free but is it really? Do really just get the exact annual salary divided by 12? Or are there nasty surprises? Or other taxes??
7. Does anyone know of anyone that works for Emirates? What kind of accommodation do they provide and what are they like to work for?

Pardon me for all these perhaps ridiculous questions. I fear I have some more but I can't quite recall them yet....

My warmest thanks to all that answer.

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

1. How many mixed race couples do you see in Dubai and has there ever been an issue? My fella and i are distinctly different. loads of mixed race couples so there shouldn't be an issue...
2. I have read all the stuff about co habiting and get the impression it works as no one else knows and the lady doesn't get knocked up jeje. But does the fact we are of different race perhaps draw more attention to us should we chose this path? race irrelevant, it's illegal at the end of the day, so it's a risk you take...many people do it...
3. If I am a woman working in Duabi alone will I get any hassle? In terms of career woman etc? Also I have read some nasty stories of women getting groped on the streets - is this really the case? Is it safe for a woman to be out alone at night? I know crime is low but do you get leered at a lot for no reason? And no I don't dress or behave like a hooker no hassle, overall it is very safe here, certainly safer than the uk...
4. Can women wear bikinis on the beach? Or is that at private beach hotels only? How do you know it is a private beach hotel beach? Are there fences on the beach? yes, bikinis on the beach, no topless though...
5. Are there good health clubs (gym, pool, classes. spa) in Dubai and are they expensive? yes, average cost i think...
6. I know the salary is tax free but is it really? Do really just get the exact annual salary divided by 12? Or are there nasty surprises? Or other taxes?? municipality tax on your electricity/water bill...
7. Does anyone know of anyone that works for Emirates? What kind of accommodation do they provide and what are they like to work for? there are some emirates people on here, sure they will help, do a search too, there have been similar questions...

MM, xx

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

I agree with about 95 per cent of MM's replies (she will have fainted, reading that....), BUT.....

..........Emirates-provided accomodation is STRICTLY single person only. Not sure if they offer you an 'allowance' to go and find your own, so worth checking......

.......your 'distinctly different' race situation - you will be accepted everywhere (restaurants, bars, etc) if he is black and you are white.....

......... but in my experience, if you are the other way round, it can be slightly less comfortable........ a chap called Lionheart hangs around this neck of the woods and may offer you further guidance (as that is his situation).

Good luck.

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

What does 'jeje' mean?

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

It's a term African-American-British folks use...Signifies extreme excitement...

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

So 'je' is just mild excitement?

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

Ye...

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

i thought it was a horse....

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

Only if she was Irish...

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

Thanks to all the replies. Jeje is laughing not mild excitement where I come from and can Lionheart please get in touch? I cannot PM due to newbie status.

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

Just make a couple more posts to the thread and you will be able to.

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

All my spanish friends use jejeje where I'd use hehehe...

Re: hi to everyone kind enough to read newbie questions
 

Once you make a few more posts, just sent me a short private message and I will give you a few words of advice by return. My other half is African and our daughter consequently of mixed race. We have lived here for just over two years after significantly longer in Saudi Arabia.