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Is this normal here?

Is this normal here?

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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:13 pm
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Default Is this normal here?

I was in my hotel room today where we have been living for the past 4 months when there was a knock on the door. My 3 year old decided that he wanted to open it and, as I thought it was the cleaner returning to finish the job he started, I let him. I was really shocked to see a young woman standing there dressed in her abaya (her face was not covered) who began jabbering away to my son. When I got to the door I suddenly realised what was happening - she was begging! I was totally shocked, we are on the 12th floor with a couple of security guards in the foyer downstairs. I told her that I didn't have any cash and then she started asking me for food. I pretended I couldn't understand what she was saying before saying goodbye and shutting the door. The thing is, I sort of feel bad about turning her away. I have no problem giving homeless, hungry people money/food, etc. but I really don't think they should be knocking on my door. Is this normal here? Anyway, my 10 year old decided that she couldn't be that poor as she had a bag with sequins on it!
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:19 pm
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why ayeeeee man!
 
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by cherrypie1
I was in my hotel room today where we have been living for the past 4 months when there was a knock on the door. My 3 year old decided that he wanted to open it and, as I thought it was the cleaner returning to finish the job he started, I let him. I was really shocked to see a young woman standing there dressed in her abaya (her face was not covered) who began jabbering away to my son. When I got to the door I suddenly realised what was happening - she was begging! I was totally shocked, we are on the 12th floor with a couple of security guards in the foyer downstairs. I told her that I didn't have any cash and then she started asking me for food. I pretended I couldn't understand what she was saying before saying goodbye and shutting the door. The thing is, I sort of feel bad about turning her away. I have no problem giving homeless, hungry people money/food, etc. but I really don't think they should be knocking on my door. Is this normal here? Anyway, my 10 year old decided that she couldn't be that poor as she had a bag with sequins on it!
I wouldn't have been to happy to be honest, saying that, some bloke in a dish dash and a nice clean car pulled up next to me, told me he was from saudi and had no money and could I give him some for petrol, seemed really odd,

I gave him 10 dirhams and wandered off, odd eh?
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:19 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by cherrypie1
I was in my hotel room today where we have been living for the past 4 months when there was a knock on the door. My 3 year old decided that he wanted to open it and, as I thought it was the cleaner returning to finish the job he started, I let him. I was really shocked to see a young woman standing there dressed in her abaya (her face was not covered) who began jabbering away to my son. When I got to the door I suddenly realised what was happening - she was begging! I was totally shocked, we are on the 12th floor with a couple of security guards in the foyer downstairs. I told her that I didn't have any cash and then she started asking me for food. I pretended I couldn't understand what she was saying before saying goodbye and shutting the door. The thing is, I sort of feel bad about turning her away. I have no problem giving homeless, hungry people money/food, etc. but I really don't think they should be knocking on my door. Is this normal here? Anyway, my 10 year old decided that she couldn't be that poor as she had a bag with sequins on it!
Wow...In a matter of minutes she was able to turn your 3 year old into a 10 year old...
This is not normal anywhere...
I mean, I've seen some Africans multiply money, but this??? Amazingly amazing!!!
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:21 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by Spugsy
I wouldn't have been to happy to be honest, saying that, some bloke in a dish dash and a nice clean car pulled up next to me, told me he was from saudi and had no money and could I give him some for petrol, seemed really odd,

I gave him 10 dirhams and wandered off, odd eh?
I would never believe them if they tell me they're from Saudi, hence they tell me that they're from Oman...But I still tell them I have seen them another place yesterday and gave them money...They do a Houdini...
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:29 pm
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hmmmm...nice
 
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

no...it's not normal
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:37 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by Confucius
Wow...In a matter of minutes she was able to turn your 3 year old into a 10 year old...
This is not normal anywhere...
I mean, I've seen some Africans multiply money, but this??? Amazingly amazing!!!
If she comes back I'm gonna get her to turn water into wine.
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:38 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by cherrypie1
If she comes back I'm gonna get her to turn water into wine.
I wouldn't believe that even if I saw it with my own eyes...
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:49 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

yes it does happen, more so around public holidays and ramadan, they did crack down on it a little while back, but its pretty norm here (at certain times moreso)
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:55 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by Spugsy
I wouldn't have been to happy to be honest, saying that, some bloke in a dish dash and a nice clean car pulled up next to me, told me he was from saudi and had no money and could I give him some for petrol, seemed really odd,

I gave him 10 dirhams and wandered off, odd eh?
similar incident but he pulled up in white bmw with wife and 3 kids and said he had no petrol and money to get back!
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:56 pm
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hmmmm...nice
 
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by busybee2
yes it does happen, more so around public holidays and ramadan, they did crack down on it a little while back, but its pretty norm here (at certain times moreso)
oh...I was wrong then...it's pretty norm here
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 4:59 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by rowell
similar incident but he pulled up in white bmw with wife and 3 kids and said he had no petrol and money to get back!
The thing is that not only arabs who do this...
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 5:00 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by busybee2
yes it does happen, more so around public holidays and ramadan, they did crack down on it a little while back, but its pretty norm here (at certain times moreso)
Oh defo normal, especially as u say during ramadan end eid.

I even had one guy on the street come up to me and remove a dressing/bandage and show me his very ugly cut, and then asked me for money, like I would pay him for making me want to throw up, ewe disgusting
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 5:01 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by annacarna
Oh defo normal, especially as u say during ramadan end eid.

I even had one guy on the street come up to me and remove a dressing/bandage and show me his very ugly cut, and then asked me for money, like I would pay him for making me want to throw up, ewe disgusting
I thought you had more sympathy towards fellow men...
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 5:03 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by Confucius
I thought you had more sympathy towards fellow men...
I would have given him money, no probs, but the cut was just toooo much for even me 3azizi
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Old Jul 1st 2008, 5:04 pm
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Default Re: Is this normal here?

Originally Posted by annacarna
I would have given him money, no probs, but the cut was just toooo much for even me 3azizi
All the more reason to help a fellow man out...
But then again, I'm a softie...
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