Post of the year.

I can't believe anything indecent would happen in Rock Bottom!

From the BBC report:

I'm not a huge drinker but after a long shift working in Afghanistan, I think I'd be tempted to blow off a bit as soon as I touched down in a city that offers tourists access to things like unlimited alcohol at brunches (something that would never be allowed in the UK).

This is not necessarily true at all. Wasta works in many ways and is of many types. "Jordanians" are usually Palestinians, many of whom have been in Dubai for many years, perhaps even born here from refugee parents and may have very well connected jobs with royal families. There was a "don't you know who I am?" mentioned in the DM report....

I've also been trying to visualise a scenario where you would touch a bloke on the hip to avoid contact: can't see it. Shoulder maybe but hip????

I agree, although I had you down as a hip toucher.

I've work in Afghanistan for years and know the type of people there, the afghan sparky knew exactly what he was doing. Unlikely it was it first time in Dubai either.

My hip touching has other purposes - though I'd never stoop to do it

I agree though, that it's likely the guy knew what he was doing. My guess is that it was a calculated insult with deliberate cognisance of the "cultural significance". Not jailworthy of course, but also not quite as implausibly innocent as is being claimed.

Perhaps you are right. I don't claim to have as much knowledge of the Arab world and local cultures as you have shown. But the one thing I was told by another knowledgeable expat (30+ year resident of the UAE) is that those with true wasta know when to use and when not to use it. And that there are ramifications if it's abused.

I agree with you and Millie that the guy was a dickhead. I'd feel very annoyed too if some moron in the bar put his hands on my hips to shift me aside. The way this story is told in the DM with the Jordanian portrayed as an easily offended man, the Brit's action was a subtle "**** you" move.

Well I have opened local channels that you haven't pursued

But wasta can be a big or little thing and has a lot to do with clan and tribe and ethnicity. For example, different sections of the government or police or army are often dominated by one group which can wield influence in that area on behalf of those connected. That may be enough to effect or prevent an arrest, for example.

And to be clear, I read "touch hip" as "grab ass". A very clear insult when done in public.... (in private, a very different matter!!).

Man who got Briton arrested in Dubai 'was showing off' | Daily Mail Online

I feel sorry for him. I really do. Whatever the true story, at least they should have just quickly deported and banned him instead of this whole rigmarole.

'Tourists who consume alcohol at licensed venues can still be arrested for having alcohol in their system. Most tourists are not aware of this fact. A number of British nationals have been caught out by this contradictory application of the law.'
i was not aware of this.

I knew this since day 1 in Dubai....nearly 10 years ago.

well doesn't the sun just shine outta ya ar*e!

The modern UAE police are not the police of 20 years ago or 30 years ago. It's really, really difficult these days to call your friend on the force and have him lock up someone just for kicks, to "show off" or to make a point. Certainly, today, a Jordanian would not be able to do that - and definitely a Palestinian Jordanian, who is seen as lower on the food chain, would not be able to. They would need powerful local involvement to make that happen and I find it very unlikely that would happen in a case like this, particularly as it involves a Westerner and tourism. Low level wasta would not be enough and what would be in it for someone with high level wasta?

I do agree that the Brit coming back from Afghanistan, at minimum probably instigated, or escalated, the situation, and knew he was doing so. Least likely outcome was that he was innocent bystander just enjoying a few quiet drinks with friends minding his own business.