Anybody who has only worked in Dubai and think they have worked in the middle east are kidding themselves. That place is the exception, not the norm. Leave the dark side Luke!

Technically you're completely wrong.

Dubai is a city in the UAE.

The UAE, geographically, economically and politically is in the Middle East.

Therefore, I am currently working in the Middle East.

Whether you pick a shitter part of the region is your choice / fault.

You're welcome.

OOOOOOOO!

I am well aware that Dubai is a city in the UAE and was referring only to Dubai.

Geographically you are in the middle east, but it is not representative of the region as it is has adopted a western approach to life. Where I have worked, I do not view as a mistake as I enjoy my life out here and if anything would not want to work in Dubai, Abu Dhaba, another city in the UAE, is a different matter.

That's cool.

I wouldn't want to work anywhere else in the Middle Eat at the moment. Certainly not Qatar / Saudi / Kuwait / Bahrain. It's full of expats who think they are better than everyone else because they work in a shithole.

Sadly you exemplify one of the reasons for not working in Dubai. Crass ignorance.

Sadly you typify the arrogance of someone working in a shitter location and pretending they're better for it. Crass arrogance.

(We can go all day if you like? Might make Thursday go quicker? If you're nice I might get a BBQ sent over....)

I have met people who hated Dubai because they had a crap employer, and I've met people who liked Saudi, because their employer was decent.
Who you work for can make all the difference. Dubai is no fun if you haven't been paid for months on end.

I like Doha - I have a great set of friends here, it has some nice bars and clubs, decent restaurants and the people are friendly. I'm not often bored.

The beurocracy is a killer though, and i'm not happy with my current employer but the area suits me. Its also quite small and even in traffic i can get everywhere within 45 minutes.

Dubai is ok - i've only been there once so its difficult to judge. I'm not sure it has got anything particularly more than I can get here.

I just don't think people should judge Doha as a shithole when, like anywhere, it is what you make it.

I don't understand why people think if the country is shit in general that the ex-pats there are living in some kind of utility and modern convenience free hovels?
In all the shit holes I have lived in, and there have been a few, the villas I rented and standard of life has been as high if not higher than any time I have spent in Dubai. (due to the even lower cost of things versus ex -pat salary).

edit to say; its not better or worse ex pat, I would say more experienced or less experienced ex pat might be a more appropriate description

Totally agree! Middle East is not the gulf, although it is in ME? They are all created late last century…thus they're unidentified/foggy re culture or services
For members benefits read or google this book called Cities of Salt -this book has been banned in Arab countries
However & If you want to taste real ME, travel to Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Morocco …old ME nations with real ME experience..unfortunately they 're trouble spots nowadays..cheers

Morocco in the Middle East?

Nah, not having that, sorry.

Quite agree, great for families? There's nothing here. Been here 18 months and wouldn't recommend it for FUN family life.

My family is back in the UK, when I tried to find a hotel for my wife & 2 boys (4 & 10yrs) with a kids club, the only one that has one, wouldn't take the 4yr old and did activities like basket-making and face-painting.

Give it another 10 years and it might be OK. Currently looking to move to Dubai or back to UK

my boss has both Qatar and Dubai residency BUT he could only do that by having two different passports.

Yes Moroco! seems you are pretty young for the history or geography..

Middle east or , Arab world consists of 23 countries – in Asia and North Africa
Google it, PLEASE ----or see link below to make your life easier
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East

MENA I'd give you but geographically, by location only it's not really the Middle East is it. That's like saying Australians are Asian.