csdf

I've not been to all those places, so my list (from best to worst) would be:
Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Manama, Al Ain, Muscat ..... a long list of other cities that I've not been to, but must still surely be better than.... Kuwait City, Dammam, Riyadh

weasel decentral

When I lived there I found Riyadh oppressively restricted - regardless of being able to go a compound for a few drinks - the general feeling was of always being watched or checked.

Millhouse

Wearing their phone on their belt.

scrubbedexpat141

Moaning about the price of beer, despite earning truck loads of cash.

weasel decentral

Really, that's still a thing?

I recall there was also a bloke on here who used to claim his apartment was some kind of sex palace of women's toys for all the frustrated expat Dorises. So swinging must be a Dubai activity.

Pongo

Damn, you’ve seen me!

martinbkk

I don't do the Ben Sherman, or the phone on the belt thing

HiHo

Agreed, and I've been robbed twice in Istanbul, and would still rank it up there, I cant speak for Kuwait city but have been told the weather is bad even by gulf standards.

HiHo

The last 3 years has seen some massive changes in Riyadh which you must have noticed in the UAE, how often do you see Saudi 20 and 30 in bars now. It's not that they have become more devout in fact to the contrary. The party seen in Riyadh is more earthy and real by virtue of its illegality much in the same way the rave seen was in the UK in the 80s. The approach of the police is similar too i.e. provided they don't hold a dance party in the mosque car park they are happy for the quiet life, at least until they get off shift.

HiHo

If they have not replaced their phone since the days you could buy belt clips, I suspect you might be over estimating their earning capacity. Remember a lot of those cash delivery semis got traded for second hand transits back in 96. I think the social group to whom you refer are Dubia property owners AKA the Ponzi Patsies.

co durham boy

Everybody moans about the price of beer right , that and the heat ?

scrubbedexpat141

True, they've probably got a couple of ex-wives to fund as well.

Again, true. Lockdown has made me tight. A big pay cut and not being able to spend money has made me not want to spend money at all. I'm loving it.

fth

care to mention the other group?

Millhouse

Various british expat Facebook groups. There’s a few out there.

NorthernLad

On a British dads group its carnage. And some seem to be living in denial, waiting for a golden opportunity to come along.