UAE is a great place to live in. Architecture is mind-boggling. The speed of growth is exponential. The diversity is wider than what you would see at a UN meeting. All religions are practiced freely. Shopping is hot. Women are hot. Nightlife is big. Everything is open till late. Now we have the Dubai Metro for a stress free and cheap commute. Weather is pleasant and beaches are open year round. Local and multinational companies are plentiful. Oh, and income is tax free. With all that the UAE has to offer, why do many forget the little detail called "courtesy".
I will zoom into Dubai as this topic is more relevant in this city than in other Emirates.
During Ramadan, strict measures were in place to ensure all non fasting people refrained from eating/drinking/smoking in public. Fasting is a test for Muslims, for Muslims to refrain from eating/drinking/smoking, yet non Muslims are asked to do that too. I would much rather have the non-fasting residents refrain from this out of courtesy rather than force.
Another example, the signs in the malls requesting people to wear decent clothes, and not show public displays of affection. Are those necessary? Isn't it clear that Dubai is an Arabic Muslim city and its values, though liberal, should be respected?
Who can forget the big hoopla of Vince Acors and Michelle Palmer's sex on the beach. What was startling to me is the fuss that was made over Dubai being inconsistent, when the facts showed that the adventurous couple were "requested" to stop their very public huge display of affection prior to their arrest (hint: courtesy).
People think that Dubai is confused as to where it stands on how liberal it is, but to me, its rule is crystal clear: "Everywhere has its Place". As a child, my mother used to teach me that style is "wearing the right thing at the right time", well the rule in Dubai happens to follow my mother's rule! Beach wear is perfectly acceptable at the beach, but not at a restaurant. Clubbing clothes are acceptable at a club, but not in a mall. Alcoholic drinks are permitted if you are over the age limit and it's drunk in the hotel or bar or club, and you're not roaming the streets boozing all over the place. Isn't it common sense to not drink and drive, and a courtesy to have your fun then go home and not bother people around?
Why is this fuss about Dubai not knowing where it stands, and why does it need to be so explicit to ask people to show some modesty in a Muslim country? Common courtesy is not that common here I'm afraid. We all should learn a lesson or two about respecting other cultures and our host country. This is of utmost importance in a city like Dubai that is already very liberal. Isn't it better to embrace and respect this freedom we enjoy, rather than push the envelope so far, the reaction would be a complete shut down?
What do you think?
well, it makes sense that Dubai is "publicly" announcing it's rules and not relying on people"s courtesy..! why:
ReplyDelete1. Dubai does that to show people where it stands, because, most foreign jealous media attack Dubai's openness to the world that it insults its very roots..
2. Dubai now is one of the top tourists attraction destinations on the world, most of its visitors don't know what Islam is and what its values are.. like visiting other countries, you get cultural conflicts.. so stating these hints and public rules IMHO is very essenial to avoid similar "sex on the beach" scenarios..!
I completely agree. However, a lot of people who are about to travel to a new destination, research is done on the background, culture, religion, climate, etc, before the trip. Here in the UAE, I find that a lot of people who live here don't know much about their host country.
ReplyDeleteIt has come to that the UAE needs to be explicit because, like you said, there is so much misconception about what Dubai is. They see Dubai from Sheikh Zayed Road to Marina with all the malls in between and think this is all of the UAE, and all of the UAE culture.
Not to mention that I have seen someone in Abu Dhabi, address the audience saying how happy he is to be invited to Dubai!
lol.. that is funny.. I've seen a commentator in a polictical show in the U.S addressing his audience saying "for those who don't know Dubai, it is the capital of a country called the UAE.. blah blah.." the point is, no matter how educated people get, they always misunderstand.. and mix stuff up.. unless they live here for a long period of time..
ReplyDeleteso, to clear things up a bit, and make it clear to people, rules of social behavior in public places must be declared and announced..