Is Dubai enforcing its Islamic Credentials?
Its been a bad year for mongering for me. In fact nothing since a pre-christmas, ice-bound Germany trip as I suffer the woes of the World-Wide economic crisis. However, a possible return to Dubai is on the cards as I continually try to get busines up and running again.
Of course I read what goes on here avidly (but rarely post on Dubai as I have had no experience there since late 2006. Yes - its been that long!) I bet I will hardly recognise the place.
I do realise that the numbers of SPs has reduced, I realise the prices of entry have gone up, but I am sure I will always find something in Dubai.
What does concern me however is the number of stories about LE cracking down on ExPats behaviour. I wounder if Dubai, having less to occupy themselves now the downturn has kicked in, has started to get more concerned about morality, family values, and what the rest of the Muslim world thinks.
First there was the "sex on the beach" episode, where the prosecuting officer did not even bother to turn up at the trial and they got convicted anyway. In that case, it was probably the drunken attitude that got them in trouble. Then there was the Emirates crew, who recently got two months in the nick for sending saucy text messages (OK, not Dubai, but still...) then there is the British "Kiss Couple" where a local Woman made a complaint, then possibly "sexed up her dossier" when making a written complaint to the Police. Here is a good link if bored at Work...
[url]http://travel.uk.msn.com/inspiration/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=152650875[/url]
So, my question is, are you guys having to tighten up at all? I do remember one girl linking arms in Public with me, and another holding hands. Would I dare to do that now or is it all just the press making a mountain out of a molehill over some idiots that didn't respect the culture?
Worrying times for a once fun city? Hopefully I wiill find out for myself soon.
Just Exercise Common Sense
[QUOTE=Mike De H]Of course I read what goes on here avidly (but rarely post on Dubai as I have had no experience there since late 2006. Yes - its been that long!) I bet I will hardly recognise the place.[/QUOTE]Nice to see you're still around.
Every story that I've read has always elicited a "damn, were they stupid" response.
1. Forget the beach idiots... Guess the arresting officer's report was enough. But I wouldn't be showing ANY disrespect to LE there... After all, the reports I read said he did say to knock it off; only when he returned and they were still at it, did the problems start...
2. The Emirates crew got popped as it became public due to the divorce action. They were also Indian... Dxb not exactly a PC place. And I'm sure her husband pushed the case... You know a male is going to carry more weight than a female...
3. Sexy kiss - key being a local woman. There's been any number of stories like this over the years - as I posted earlier, the guy kissing his "gf" goodbye at the airport in the taxi, and a cop taking offense...
It's just "not done". Just like dumping trash out of your car on the highway is/(well) was tolerated in UAE (after all, they had all the road cleanup crews out every morning), you wouldn't dare do that at home.
Number of years ago, Time Out Dubai did a story of what was tolerated in public: basically, no public affection. I've had a PRC hold onto my arm as we made our way through massed lookie-lou groups on the street, but other than that, they'll walk a couple of paces behind you. Close enough for you to come to their aid if they run into any street harassment, but far enough away for plausible denialability. Just common sense. Likewise, the reason she puts on a long coat when she walks outside, to cover up and keep up a "proper" appearance in public.
I never did anything, even in a taxi - never knew when that poor sod of a driver suddenly might reach the end of his rope...
[QUOTE=Wiseblood 213]I think that if one exercises common sense and keeps in mind that we are in an Islamic country, you should not run into any trouble.
This is still a very tolerant place and as long as you are respectful of the people around you, you should not be hassled.
Behave yourself until you get behind closed doors and don't [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] off your neighbors.[/quote]Excellent advice - realize WHERE you are and use some common sense.
I'd say most run into trouble when they forget where they are...
Gulf News Public Decency in the UAE guidelines
[url]http://gulfnews.com/pictures/general/public-decency-in-the-uae-1.16260[/url]