Where is everybody?
Sep 8th 2019, 11:50 am
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Where is everybody?
I'm not talking about members on this forum - let's be honest, it has been dead for years... but I mean the greater population of Dubai, specifically the westerners.
When I don't have a deal on, I try and spend a lot of my time meeting people. I was busy up to just before summer so did not do this for a while and then took a break over the summer as no-one is here anyway. I'm now back to it and there is literally no-one around. I've also noticed that all the senior positions I used to meet are now filled with non-westerns, which does make it a little harder to connect with them. The only people here seem to be Millenials surviving on coffee and dust while running their loss-making start-up that has no chance of succeeding, either due to an unimaginative business model (another food/grocery/spa delivery service anybody?) or a simple lack of effort on their behalf.
It's the first time I've really felt it, but wow. It's like the fish have all been taken out of the tank but the pumps, lights, and heater are all still on.
Oh, and I suspect my neighbour has done a bunk. He's been gone for 2.5 months now...some poor soul is still washing his car three times a week though.
When I don't have a deal on, I try and spend a lot of my time meeting people. I was busy up to just before summer so did not do this for a while and then took a break over the summer as no-one is here anyway. I'm now back to it and there is literally no-one around. I've also noticed that all the senior positions I used to meet are now filled with non-westerns, which does make it a little harder to connect with them. The only people here seem to be Millenials surviving on coffee and dust while running their loss-making start-up that has no chance of succeeding, either due to an unimaginative business model (another food/grocery/spa delivery service anybody?) or a simple lack of effort on their behalf.
It's the first time I've really felt it, but wow. It's like the fish have all been taken out of the tank but the pumps, lights, and heater are all still on.
Oh, and I suspect my neighbour has done a bunk. He's been gone for 2.5 months now...some poor soul is still washing his car three times a week though.
Last edited by Millhouse; Sep 8th 2019 at 11:54 am.
Sep 8th 2019, 12:43 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 96
Re: Where is everybody?
They’re all in Saudi chap! According to our MD it’s the place to be! I’m fairly new to the region but have seen a lot Western Snr Mgmnt leave in a short space of time, especially on the client side. Many of whom have been replaced by other Arab nationalities or the Kerala Mafia.
For me it’s still a fairly enjoyable experience and I’m thinking about extending my stay beyond 2019.
For me it’s still a fairly enjoyable experience and I’m thinking about extending my stay beyond 2019.
Sep 8th 2019, 12:51 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: Where is everybody?
What car is it? ;-)
A load of my long term mates are now commuting into the Kingdom while more and more positions here are being filled by inexperienced young or washed up old Arabs, both sets seeming to have questionable ethics / approaches to professionalism......
I'm waiting for a project award and so will be heading out to site for a few years so all still OK for me tho.Doubt I will stick the whole project through this time (although its likley to be there for me if I want it). I may give it another year and then start looking elsewhere outside the region.
A load of my long term mates are now commuting into the Kingdom while more and more positions here are being filled by inexperienced young or washed up old Arabs, both sets seeming to have questionable ethics / approaches to professionalism......
I'm waiting for a project award and so will be heading out to site for a few years so all still OK for me tho.Doubt I will stick the whole project through this time (although its likley to be there for me if I want it). I may give it another year and then start looking elsewhere outside the region.
Sep 8th 2019, 3:01 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 64
Re: Where is everybody?
Well, if the Pizza Express buffet in Ibn Battuta on a Friday afternoon is any manner of barometer, Dubai is not in great shape, place was far from busy. Mostly young families of Arab origin. But then again, went to Coffee Club on Wasl Rd yesterday and it was heaving with young Arabs and Indians. Sign of the times?
Sep 8th 2019, 4:48 pm
#5
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Buraydah , Saudi Arabia
Posts: 2,863
Re: Where is everybody?
Not meaning to sound naive, but what does Dubai have to offer a westerner?
Been in KSA seven years now and yet to visit , no real inclination to either . I was contemplating a trip in the spring , but there are other places I'd rather go more. What am I missing out on ?
Been in KSA seven years now and yet to visit , no real inclination to either . I was contemplating a trip in the spring , but there are other places I'd rather go more. What am I missing out on ?
Sep 8th 2019, 6:09 pm
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: Where is everybody?
Not meaning to sound naive, but what does Dubai have to offer a westerner?
Been in KSA seven years now and yet to visit , no real inclination to either . I was contemplating a trip in the spring , but there are other places I'd rather go more. What am I missing out on ?
Been in KSA seven years now and yet to visit , no real inclination to either . I was contemplating a trip in the spring , but there are other places I'd rather go more. What am I missing out on ?
Sep 9th 2019, 4:07 am
#7
Big Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,889
Re: Where is everybody?
More and more friends here (long-term expats) are talking about exit plans within in the next year. The place feels different, and not like back in 2009. At my daughters school there a a fair few parents working on Expo, it will be interesting to see what happens once that is over. I'm just pleased we never bought a property here. Our bucket is close the brim now.
Sep 9th 2019, 5:16 am
#8
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Where is everybody?
I'm not talking about members on this forum - let's be honest, it has been dead for years... but I mean the greater population of Dubai, specifically the westerners.
When I don't have a deal on, I try and spend a lot of my time meeting people. I was busy up to just before summer so did not do this for a while and then took a break over the summer as no-one is here anyway. I'm now back to it and there is literally no-one around. I've also noticed that all the senior positions I used to meet are now filled with non-westerns, which does make it a little harder to connect with them. The only people here seem to be Millenials surviving on coffee and dust while running their loss-making start-up that has no chance of succeeding, either due to an unimaginative business model (another food/grocery/spa delivery service anybody?) or a simple lack of effort on their behalf.
It's the first time I've really felt it, but wow. It's like the fish have all been taken out of the tank but the pumps, lights, and heater are all still on.
Oh, and I suspect my neighbour has done a bunk. He's been gone for 2.5 months now...some poor soul is still washing his car three times a week though.
When I don't have a deal on, I try and spend a lot of my time meeting people. I was busy up to just before summer so did not do this for a while and then took a break over the summer as no-one is here anyway. I'm now back to it and there is literally no-one around. I've also noticed that all the senior positions I used to meet are now filled with non-westerns, which does make it a little harder to connect with them. The only people here seem to be Millenials surviving on coffee and dust while running their loss-making start-up that has no chance of succeeding, either due to an unimaginative business model (another food/grocery/spa delivery service anybody?) or a simple lack of effort on their behalf.
It's the first time I've really felt it, but wow. It's like the fish have all been taken out of the tank but the pumps, lights, and heater are all still on.
Oh, and I suspect my neighbour has done a bunk. He's been gone for 2.5 months now...some poor soul is still washing his car three times a week though.
Still, that's a microcosm. At work I'm still hiring lots of good Westerners to work on Expo (no, I'm not lying, we're still hiring).
Most of my work at the moment is on bids in KSA, no two ways about it. It's where the market is shifting and the sooner most of the candidates get their heads around it, the better.
More and more friends here (long-term expats) are talking about exit plans within in the next year. The place feels different, and not like back in 2009. At my daughters school there a a fair few parents working on Expo, it will be interesting to see what happens once that is over. I'm just pleased we never bought a property here. Our bucket is close the brim now.
Sep 9th 2019, 6:03 am
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: Where is everybody?
Definitely seeing the same, but moreso where I live. The apartments are very, very big and very cheap. We're certainly in the minority as a young Western couple.
Still, that's a microcosm. At work I'm still hiring lots of good Westerners to work on Expo (no, I'm not lying, we're still hiring).
Most of my work at the moment is on bids in KSA, no two ways about it. It's where the market is shifting and the sooner most of the candidates get their heads around it, the better.
Still, that's a microcosm. At work I'm still hiring lots of good Westerners to work on Expo (no, I'm not lying, we're still hiring).
Most of my work at the moment is on bids in KSA, no two ways about it. It's where the market is shifting and the sooner most of the candidates get their heads around it, the better.
I'm looking forward to going to the expo. I imagine somehow it will boil down to being another global village but with better access.
Sep 9th 2019, 6:40 am
#10
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Where is everybody?
serious question - What does a westerner do down at the expo? I thought it was all Chinese?
Maybe... or maybe a central core will be ready with some stuff on the peripheral being finished off - Greek Olympics style.
I'm looking forward to going to the expo. I imagine somehow it will boil down to being another global village but with better access.
Maybe... or maybe a central core will be ready with some stuff on the peripheral being finished off - Greek Olympics style.
I'm looking forward to going to the expo. I imagine somehow it will boil down to being another global village but with better access.
To be honest, we're purely looking at the construction side of it. Getting the main buildings built and helping the visiting nations get their space or pavilion fit out / built.
It's ****ing phenomenal down there. It's huge and some of the pavilions are spectacular, that's before the 90 odd nations start building their own.
I can't wait to go, will be sick.
Sep 9th 2019, 7:05 am
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: Where is everybody?
Etihad Rail will keep a lot of us busy for the next few years but a lot of this will be site staff and so no likely to be westerners except for the more specialist folks like myself.
Sep 9th 2019, 8:04 am
#12
Wannabe Cycling God
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: West Kensington, Dubai
Posts: 1,157
Re: Where is everybody?
I'm one of those boring old blokes who sits in the pub once or twice a week. The sheer number of boring old blokes at the bar who have disappeared over the past year is shocking, but also many of the ones that are still here, are unemployed it seems.
Very worrying if you're in construction and welded to Dubai by family etc. (Which I'm not).
Very worrying if you're in construction and welded to Dubai by family etc. (Which I'm not).
Sep 9th 2019, 8:06 am
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: Where is everybody?
What's all Chinese?
To be honest, we're purely looking at the construction side of it. Getting the main buildings built and helping the visiting nations get their space or pavilion fit out / built.
It's ****ing phenomenal down there. It's huge and some of the pavilions are spectacular, that's before the 90 odd nations start building their own.
I can't wait to go, will be sick.
To be honest, we're purely looking at the construction side of it. Getting the main buildings built and helping the visiting nations get their space or pavilion fit out / built.
It's ****ing phenomenal down there. It's huge and some of the pavilions are spectacular, that's before the 90 odd nations start building their own.
I can't wait to go, will be sick.
Sep 9th 2019, 10:42 am
#14
Knee deep and rising
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,007
Re: Where is everybody?
There must be some parallels with other countries which historically attracted expats but then fell by the wayside. I'm thinking similar cycles must have happened in Africa over the years - perhaps from the 50s to 70s.
Hong Kong stands out for me as a place that surely must have taken a nose dive of western expats since the handover.
Hong Kong stands out for me as a place that surely must have taken a nose dive of western expats since the handover.
Sep 9th 2019, 10:48 am
#15
Knee deep and rising
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,007
Re: Where is everybody?
Most of the work was under the umbrella of the recently bankrupted Carillion through Al Futtaim. Though I'm sure there's millions of construction 'management' firms running around down there too.
