Cuppa10

mmmm.....

A question, aren't there other countries that pay decently that a British expat could move to, that are not so strict etc?

I personally would not like to visit the majority of the middle east because of the way they're run.

Blue Cat

lived here then and tried it? try Spain.

ctfc

ctfc approves heartily of MHs knickers, though notes they are quoted as being French rather than Dutch ??

edinburger

Singapore & Hong Kong pay well.

The Dean

I love that little button-up jobby at the top of the bottoms (so to speak). What make are they?

kittycat1

thats known as a keyhole Dean, don't know the brand expensive lace though so I'd say La Perla at a guess non wired bra though so only any good for little boobies

lionheart

Puerto Rica is nice.

Bahtatboy

Japan's a hoot, and China's immensely interesting.

Inselaffen

Singapore but rent is very expensive.
Hong Kong if you want more fun but then expect to have a very small apartment

libby2010

can we get back to the cover up topic?

I don't live in dubai-yet.
but on my last visit I bought an abaya and headscarf thing, which to me seem the ultimate in liberation. no matter what I am wearing in the house or around the pool,scruffy or not, just out of bed, hair wet from last swim, it takes 10 seconds to throw on an abaya and be presentable.

not only that, I can move around in total anonymity, no worries about some aquaintance or business partner recognising me and forcing me to be sociable when I don't feel like it.

however I think there seems to be one serious drawback - which I only worked out after talking to people and reading stuff since I got back.

If you look like a muslim you are expected to behave like a muslim and since I don't know the code of conduct that can lead to problems.

for example it seems frowned upon for them to go out on their own.so when i tried to get a taxi back from the souk to the hotel i got abuse from some drivers and it took a while until one was willing to take me.
i felt very uncomfortable !
I also was not allowed into the bar and the nightclub in the hotel with my husband ( although that didnt bother me ), you can just take the abaya off.

I just wonder if anyone else has experience with wearing an abaya - although from your comments it seems you don't much like it.
can't understand why.

I just feel a bit resentful that when i am going to go to dubai on monday and was looking forward to travelling light and not worrying about a fat stomach i might be deprived of this pleasure and have to wear western clothes - and then have to cover up!

any advice will be gratefully received !

glynster

Right then,as most on here know the rules how ever new and ever changing in the evolution of the region,instead of waiting for the shocking headlines of our western holiday makers letting us down for not understanding and thinking they are in magaluf, why don't the Mall owners employ western security,only maybe one or two, to enforce the rules to make the shopping experience acceptable to everyone? We need them,they need us and show a mutual understanding. I would suggest trying to police it ourselves by just having a word with offenders but as Jeremy Kyle has produced a legion of ****wits this would never happen and cause more problems, so a uniformed one or two to explain in a civilised manner would alleviate the issue I would hope (and pray)

MataHari

there is absolutely no reason what so ever for a Western woman to wear an abaya/headscarf in Dubai...you can basiscally dress like you do 'back home', I'd say looking Western and wearing an abaya will attract attention rather than make you invisible...
your story really sounds weird, you say you've been to Dubai, so you must surely have noticed that there were no Western women wearing abayas (apart from those few that are married to Muslim men)...

glynster

Dont worry about your fat stomach its becoming the norm here too

Millhouse

Are you sure you went to Dubai and not Saudi?

MataHari

exactly...it's all a bit weird...