Forum: pol
Page 2756
Subject: Moving to the other side of the Planet.

  Posted by: nerveclinic - [10526140] Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 00:23


Moving to the other side of the Planet.

This time next week I will be landing in my new home in Dubai UAE.

When I first started hearing about my new job offer I was concerned about the location, I knew very little about Dubai.

The more I've learned the more excited and confident I've become.

Dubai is the fastest growing city in the world.

The worlds tallest skyscraper is being built there.

There are man made islands being built in the ocean, one in the shape of a giant palm tree, one in the shape of the world.

They built an indoor ski/snow-board mountain

The country is 20% Arab but 80% Ex Pats.

The main language spoken is English.

So we take a chance...

Chance looks pretty good right now.

Nerve


 
1biliruben
      ID: 535193010
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 01:06 		Nice! Good luck with the new job and the scenery change, Nerve. I assume the internets are available there, so keep in touch.

 
2Seattle Zen
      ID: 46315247
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 01:26 		What's the job?

I've read a lot about Dubai's boom, the architecture, and the traffic. A very bold move on your behalf, I'm sure you will enjoy the thrill of adventure, not to mention that you will be closer to Berlin. We will want lots and lots of reports.

Best of luck.
 
3nerveclinic
      ID: 10526140
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 03:34
I'm opening a Dubai branch of an existing American company.

The company designs and manufactures visual merchandisng products, primarily for high end companies like Gucci.

I'll be the only person in Dubai with the company.

We are going to manufacture in Dubai and Malaysia.

I'll be sourcing factories, monitering quality control on production, managing accounts and trolling for new business.

2 hours from India, 4 hours from Africa, 5-6 hours from Asia.



 
4Pancho Villa
      ID: 366352418
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 09:40 		You mentioned the possibility when we hooked up in July, nerve.

Congratulations and good luck!
 
5Perm Dude
      ID: 3682268
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 10:02 		Sweet! I've read about the development and that skyscraper. Make sure when they build your office that you don't get stuck with, like, the Beef Council on your floor.
 
6walk
      Dude
      ID: 32928238
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 17:29 		Good luck with your venture in Dubai, Nerve. My English buddy has vacationed there twice, with his family. It's a pretty popular spot for Europeans from what I hear, and it's apparently pristine, very safe, and very wealthy. And, incredibly hot (desert hot). Enjoy!

- walk
 
7sarge33rd
      ID: 257222410
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 17:37 		BOL there NC!! Sounds like a rare opportunity to "strut your stuff". Great profesisonal challenge, and I'd imagine you'll do quite well.
 
8Species
      Leader
      ID: 07724916
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 17:47 		Good luck nerve. I saw Dubai on the Amazing Race - looks cool! Okay that's not the best endorsement, but what an opportunity!
 
9Myboyjack
      Dude
      ID: 014826271
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 18:03 		Goog luck. A friend of mine in the horse business goes to Dubai a couple of times a year. He absolutely raves about it. Very interesting.
 
10nerveclinic
      ID: 10526140
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 23:20

PD Make sure when they build your office that you don't get stuck with, like, the Beef Council on your floor.

OK I give up...what the he11 does that mean?

 
11Perm Dude
      ID: 3682268
      Tue, Sep 26, 2006, 23:24 		You don't want protesters outside your door.

Although the smell of cooking beef might be nice...

I actually have a client (in Chicago) who has one of the Beef Council offices right down the hallway. Their offices are outfitted with 4 fully-functional kitchens, and every other Friday or so they have a big feast.

 
12Baldwin
      ID: 13829276
      Wed, Sep 27, 2006, 08:29 		Here is wishing you great success and a really secure residential compound.
 
13nerveclinic
      ID: 10526140
      Wed, Sep 27, 2006, 12:53

Here is wishing you great success and a really secure residential compound.

I'll be far safer in Dubai then SF. Crime is almost non existant. They like Americans.

Someone was robbed at knife point 50 feet from my front door last week here.

I'll be safer in Dubai/U.A.E. (Unless Iran invades)

To imply otherwise simply reflects your lack of knowledge of the country. I understand, I had the same ignorance before I started looking into.

I now have zero concerns.

 
14Boxman
      ID: 427471614
      Wed, Sep 27, 2006, 13:32 		CIA World Fact Book: UAE

If Iran invades, I would imagine we wouldn't be too far off from retaliation considering they are right next door to Saudi Arabia. They might even get smacked down before they made it there.

That far out scenario aside, enjoy your time there.

At this time in the world I would be shaky about living in a country, as a westerner, that is 96% Muslim. Then again, my experience with Muslims personally has been nothing but great. I'd tell you about a Muslim jeweler I ran into one time, but that would be digressing. Yes my experience with Muslims extends beyond just that one instance. Just watch out for the whack job that likes to televise executions on Al Jazeera.
 
15Dec
      ID: 198481912
      Wed, Sep 27, 2006, 13:55 		Age structure:
0-14 years: 24.9% (male 331,012/female 317,643)
15-64 years: 71.2% (male 1,125,286/female 726,689)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 74,700/female 27,383)
note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2006 est.)

Hope you don't go there alone
 
16Baldwin
      ID: 408512715
      Wed, Sep 27, 2006, 17:51 		Well I for one expect some reports from up close and hopefully not personal.
 
17nerveclinic
      ID: 10526140
      Wed, Sep 27, 2006, 23:20

Baldwin I don't really understand the point of the link.

Can you spell it out?

Most of the terror1sts trained how to the fly the planes in the USA. The FB1 tried to warn the C1A. Are you making an issue of the fact they passed trhough Dubai?

They passed through Vegas too right?

What's the point?

I can tell you UAE is one of the USA's strongest allies in the Middle East. So strong they might be a target just like you might be sitting in ILL.

 
18Matt S
      ID: 45621302
      Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 02:14 		Good luck and enjoy Dubai, nerve. I'm sure one thing you'll be shocked at is the vast wealth gap between Emeretis and Foreign nationals. Basically anyone born as an Emereti is a multi millionaire, the rest work for very little money in hopes to bring it back to China or India.

Terrorist/fear mongering/schizophrenia aside you'll be very safe there. As you say, likely safer than at home. Just watch out for those cab drivers. I've heard they're maniacs. :-)
 
19Boldwin
      ID: 21831288
      Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 10:31 		Nerve

As you know when it comes to this subject I am a profiler. No matter if 98% of the citizens are stable, there have just got to be more OBL sympathizers there. Do they carry Al Jazzera there? Then the zeitgeist is unfavorable, shakey.

Just please be much more cautious than you seem to be presently.
 
20Pancho Villa
      ID: 366352418
      Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 10:47 		Do they carry Al Jazzera there?

How is that relevant? Al Jazeera is available here online, and I have yet to find anything I would consider radical.

Perhaps you can find something for me.


Al Jazeera
 
21The Treasonists
      Donor
      ID: 171572711
      Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 10:55 		Good luck, Mr. nerveclinic. If you have to move to the other side of the planet; there are a lot of worse places you could go.

There's a lot of good stuff coming out on the 911 story. Hope you can keep up over there.
 
22nerveclinic
      ID: 10526140
      Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 12:16

Do they carry Al Jazzera there? Then the zeitgeist is unfavorable, shakey.

Just please be much more cautious than you seem to be presently.

I'll be just as carefull as I am here, where a man was stabbed in the chest 2 blocks from here for his computer, where to collage kids were shot, one in the stomach one in the hand half a block from here 3-4 months ago...etc.

One always has to be careful.

That having been said, I've done my home work, I know what's up. The situation there "at present moment" is very safe. There is virtually no crime and there haven't been any "terrorist" attacks unlike the USA.

On the forums I've been to American families LOVE raising their kids there because they are raised in safe schools in a respectful environment.

Can something happen? Are there likely Anti American elements there? Is it possible in the future an attack on americans could be carried out? I would answer yes to this anywhere in the world.

To paint the situation with any graver face is in my opion an uninformed bias. I've done my homework, I will feel safer there then in SF and I ALWAYS watch my back.

I do appreciate your concern though.

"The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all."
Jawaharlal Nehru

"What you risk reveals what you value."
Jeanette Winterson

"It seems to me that people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don't. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever."
Philip Adams

I'll take my risks, and for your Baldwin, I'll watch my back.



 
23nerveclinic
      ID: 10526140
      Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 12:22 		Treasonists

There's a lot of good stuff coming out on the 911 story. Hope you can keep up over there.

Got any new links? I still have 2 days to read.

As far as keeping up over there, by using a proxy server I can go just about anywhere there on the internet. Of course I will stay active in this forum so just keep posting the news here and I'll keep up.

Cheers

Nerve

 
24The Treasonists
      Donor
      ID: 171572711
      Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 13:46 		I like this site: prisonplanet.com. There seems to be a new 911 story every day.

There is also a pay version I may get some day. If you click on the calendar, you can go to old issues. That seems to be the way they archive stuff.
 
26nerveclinic
      ID: 599125
      Mon, Oct 02, 2006, 07:02 		Well I made it. I will report back when I have more time.
 
27C.SuperFreak
      ID: 177202912
      Mon, Oct 02, 2006, 12:17 		Enjoy. I think you're gonna love it. The architecture and engineering that has been done and is still going on is simply amazing.
 
28biliruben
      ID: 535193010
      Mon, Oct 02, 2006, 20:06 		How ya' gonna find the raves!?!?
 
29Baldwin
      ID: 994036
      Tue, Oct 03, 2006, 08:40 		Or an audience for your DJ-ing? Or stuff to sell on E-bay?
 
30nerveclinic
      ID: 22915313
      Tue, Oct 03, 2006, 15:27 		How ya' gonna find the raves!?!?

There are tons of night clubs here although I haven't made it out yet since I am A) Jet lagged, B) Keeping my head clear for work, C) Didn't even go out much in San Francisco.

There are mega big name DJ's flown in from all over Europe. The one glitch is that since it's Ramadan the night life is very subdued until Oct 23rd.

Or an audience for your DJ-ing? Or stuff to sell on E-bay? Well I didn't have audiences for my DJing in San Francisco since it has it's head so far up "house music's" Azz and that's not my scene. As far as Ebay goes. Obviously it's history for me. (I still have 2,000 records in storage though)

I brought about 100 records with me.

Trust me unless you've done extensive reading you have no idea what this place is like.

I've spoken to at least 50 people so far and haven't run into one who doesn't speak fluent English.

I tell everyone who asks I am from America (Yes including Arabs) and always get a warm smile.

I've never seen so much construction in my life.

Also saw the indoor ski mountain yesterday. It's attached to a mall. You can't even imagine the size. I was at the bottom and couldn't see where the top ended. The snow is real They literally form clouds inside the structure and cause actual snow to fall it is not made from a machine of any kind...that's just sick!

I have no idea how this whole adventure will work out but I know it's going to be an interesting ride.



 
31Perm Dude
      ID: 2191537
      Tue, Oct 03, 2006, 15:36 		Very cool! I saw pictures of it on Snopes.
 
32sarge33rd
      ID: 257222410
      Tue, Oct 03, 2006, 16:00 		shiiiiiiit. NC goes all the way to Dubai for snow, when he could have had ALL my snow from IA for free. :)
 
33nerveclinic
      ID: 22915313
      Fri, Oct 06, 2006, 17:17 		You have never seen more beautiful women at any one time in your life in one single location then I've seen this first week in Dubai. I'm told the numbers will leap as soon as Ramadan is over.

Just goes to show where there is lots of money there will always be beautiful women.

Nerve

 
34nerveclinic
      ID: 22915313
      Fri, Oct 06, 2006, 17:19
You've also never been in a bar where everyone is smoking ciggarette after ciggarette.

I was the only one out of 200 not chain smoking last night.

Agghhhh

Luckily half of them were beautiful women.
 
35nerveclinic
      ID: 22915313
      Fri, Oct 06, 2006, 17:21

15-64 years: 71.2% (male 1,125,286/female 726,689)

I'll say two things.

Don't believe everything you read.

They aren't counting all the women on tourist visas who leave every month and come back.


 
36sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Fri, Oct 06, 2006, 23:38 		sounds to me, like someone is rather enjoying their new digs. :) Good for you Nerve.
 
37Baldwin
      ID: 36954422
      Sat, Oct 07, 2006, 07:33 		If they should insist on seeing the size of your oil main take it literally.
 
38nerveclinic
      ID: 22915313
      Tue, Oct 10, 2006, 10:28

We are working on a project for Fendi and I found a gold leaf artist to do some of the work for us.

I had to bring her a piece of wood so that she could do a sample for us.

She asked me to meet her on site at a project she and her team are working on.

It’s a house (which is an understatement) in the most exclusive neighborhood in Dubai.

This house was the size of a small museum. I was given a tour of about 20 very large rooms.

Each of the rooms had a different painted theme. Most of the ceilings were domed and each ceiling had a beautiful elaborate painting covering it. (most of the paintings were at least 20-30 feet long by 10-15 wide) Very high taste level, very detailed and elaborate.

I was stunned.

Some of the detailing made its way onto the walls also. Very traditional paintings but just very well executed. I think the phrase “over the top” comes to mind when describing it.

Every room I walked into I found myself gasping. These rooms were often 3-4 times the size of a normal room in a house.

Yes this will be someone’s residence when done. It sits on a lake and has great views from each side.

If this home was parked in Hollywood, I would think it would sell for well over 20-30 million dollars.

The artist was very gracious and kept thanking me for my “overwhelmed” reaction. She said it’s nice to have someone appreciate their work.

Unfortunately she asked that I not take photos although they are looking for magazines right now to put the home in when done. I’ll at least get a photo of the outside when we go back next week.

I was almost embarrassed to ask her for a sample of the gold leafing after seeing this masterpiece.


Just another day in Dubai.

 
39nerveclinic
      ID: 22915313
      Tue, Oct 24, 2006, 15:18 		Absolutely bar none the most dangerous drivers I have seen on the planet. Driving at high speeds while making 5 lane, lane changes without blinkers. Tailgating as a sport at highways speeds within 2-3 feet of the car directly in front...

This is coming from someone who lived in Los Angeles and sold his Miata because I was concerned about the driving there.

I've never wanted to own an SUV but when I buy a car here I will research the safest SUV and that's what I'm buying.

I've seen sometimes as many as 3-4 accidents in a day. I've witnessed a rear ending on the highway 5 feet away from the car I was in. My driver had to swerve to keep from hgetting hit. I've been in a taxi that was rear ended.

With such a mixture of nationalities residing in the city, driving styles are mixed to say the least. Dangerous driving will be witnessed, or experienced, on a frequent basis; and, bear in mind that Dubai has one of the highest per capita road death rates in the world



 
40sarge33rd
      ID: 99331714
      Tue, Oct 24, 2006, 15:19 		frankly Nerve...sounds like a typical day on Hwy 183 in Austin.
 
41walk
      Dude
      ID: 32928238
      Tue, Oct 24, 2006, 15:49 		What an exciting thread! Keep em coming Nerve. "Vicarious living in Dubai." Like a good reality internet thing.

- walk
 
42Mattinglyinthehall
      ID: 374522815
      Tue, Oct 24, 2006, 21:28 		Wow. Whats public trans like?
 
43nerveclinic
      ID: 25311017
      Wed, Oct 25, 2006, 08:50 		Wow. Whats public trans like?

They are building light rail right now. You don't want to ride the buses here for the most part, unless you enjoy being a sardine.

 
44nerveclinic
      ID: 25311017
      Wed, Oct 25, 2006, 08:52
frankly Nerve...sounds like a typical day on Hwy 183 in Austin.

OK Sarge, if you say so, but I drove the highways in Los angeles and this place makes LA look like Disney Land.

I'm genuinely concerned about my safety.
 
45WiddleAvi
      ID: 88462216
      Wed, Oct 25, 2006, 09:06 		I'm genuinely concerned about my safety.

So Baldwin was right after all !!!
 
46Boldwin
      ID: 36954422
      Wed, Oct 25, 2006, 11:31 		It never fails. 8]
 
47Boldwin
      ID: 36954422
      Wed, Oct 25, 2006, 11:38 		Sounds like a genuine role for a Hummer. Not many legitimate peacetime uses but I think that one qualifies.
 
48nerveclinic
      ID: 01013116
      Sat, Nov 11, 2006, 07:44 		Here are a few quick hits of insight from Dubai.

The national pastime seems to be cigarette smoking. I am sitting in an internet cafe and people on both sides of me are smoking.

There was a thread on laws in the USA outlawing smoking in bars...well I found out where all the smokers went to escape that, they are all here.

Every bar you go in 95% of the people smoke, no chain smoke. I actually have had to leave bars because it gets so bad. I makes me literally nauseous ad my eyes sting and burn.

One night someone (Arab if that matters) sat at the table right next to where I was standing and lit up and blew smoke in my direction. I waved it violently away with my hand. He looked at me and said "this is a smoking area". I answered back "am I not allowed to wave the smoke away from my face? It makes me sick" he actually apologized and made an effort not to blow it toward me. I often ask people now to move their ashtray to the other side of a table or not blow smoke toward me.

Smoking is also allowed in all restaurants and malls which is disgusting.

The other pastime is smoking a substance called Shisha from a hookah. There are cafe's dedicated to this pastime. To the unaware, Shisha is simply a tobacco mixed with flavored molasses.

The same people who will not drink because it's "bad for you" will smoke from a hookah for hours night after night. One half hour is the same as 20 cigarettes according to the newspaper.

Funny story. I was talking to my driver (Nothing fancy we drive a Honda civic I just can't drive myself yet and he helps interpret at times) the driver is a 20 year old Pakistani.

I said "I notice a lot of the young Arabs wear their white robes but then wear a baseball cap instead of their traditional head dress"?

He says yes, they see 50 cent and Dr. Dre wearing these baseball caps and they want to be like these ni**as who rap".

I was shocked..."what did you say?"

he replied "I said they want to be like these ni**as who rap".

I said "We don't use that word in America because it's considered very insulting to blacks"

he replies "sir, I don't understand. How can this be? I see movies and rap videos with blacks in it and they are always saying how are you my ni**a or ni**a this and ni**a that, in their videos.

How can it be bad to call them this? They seem to like it."

The weather is really turning. The high is only hitting the upper 80's now. There's an art to going out in the sun here, as soon as you walk outside you see where the sun is and you plan out your path in whatever direction will keep you in the shade, or some girls only it seems carry umbrellas.

Another weird thing, men hold hands here. I’m 95% sure they are straight but they walk through malls and down the street holding hands. Like this is very common.

NerveinDubai

 
49biliruben
      ID: 535193010
      Sat, Nov 11, 2006, 09:21 		Huh. I've seen the hand holding in other cultures as well, but I can't recall which ones.

Keep up the updates.

Is this an open-ended stay, or do you have a fixed contract for, like, 2 years?
 
50sarge33rd
      ID: 99331714
      Sat, Nov 11, 2006, 09:59 		That little story on word useage, reminded me of an International Travel Guide published by the German Govt several years ago for their citizrns going overseas. (Specifically to the US.) Advising them that Americans would often say;

"How you doing?"

and that the expected response is;

"Fine thanks, and you?"

that the Americans are not interested in, nor are they really asking you 'how you are doing', its just their (our) way of saying "hi".

***************************

Cultural differences and confusions, can be quite entertaining. Do keep your updates coming Nerve. Makes for some very interesting and lighthearted reading vs some of the heavier activity hereabouts at times.
 
51Seattle Zen
      ID: 46315247
      Sat, Nov 11, 2006, 14:11 		Great stuff Nerve. What are you doing for music?
 
52Tree
      ID: 310421110
      Sat, Nov 11, 2006, 15:01 		The other pastime is smoking a substance called Shisha from a hookah. There are cafe's dedicated to this pastime. To the unaware, Shisha is simply a tobacco mixed with flavored molasses

we've got several places like this in NYC. i sort of presumed all large cities had restaurants that also doubled as Shisha bars.

you can definitely get a nice buzz by smoking the tobacco mixture stuffed into the Shisha.

btw - Shisha is also another term for a hookah.

it was definitely consfusing, because our waiter at one point referred to both the hookah, and the tobacco, as Shisha.

apparently, Shishe is Persian for glass and Hashish is actually Arabic for tobacco. so, Shisha fits for both, sort of.

the middle eastern grocery store up the street from me sells his hookahs as Shishas.

the tobacco we had also came in several varities. the aforementioned molasses, but also apple, apricot, strawberry, and a few other fruit flavors i don't remember.
 
53nerveclinic
      ID: 25311017
      Sun, Nov 12, 2006, 06:35
Tree

Yes the mollasses here is flavored also, srawberry, watermelon etc.

I've never seen a Shisha bar in the United States in all my years so they can't be too common everywhere.

Billi 1 year contract, but if things don't work out then the contract moves me back to the States with the company to work there.

Things are going OK so we should last but I don't know how long term I can take living in this kind of extreme culture difference. It's really an adjustment. If it was anywhere but Dubai I don't think I could live in the Middle East.

Now that I've been here a while it's getting a little easier though.

 
54Mattinglyinthehall
      ID: 374522815
      Sun, Nov 12, 2006, 10:13 		As far as I know a sisha bar is the same thing as a hookah bar. Hookah refers to the pipe, sisha the tobacco. No?

I know that NYC had plenty of restaurants that were also hookah bars before the smoking ban. I'm sure there are still some around but they're definitely much harder to find now, as special smoking permits are very rare and difficult to obtain. Most probably operate illegally, I'm sure.

I bought a hookah maybe 6 years ago. Probably haven't used it in 4.
 
55Tree
      ID: 571025129
      Sun, Nov 12, 2006, 10:25 		the few that i've been to since the smoking ban all have backyard gardens, and that seems to be how they get around it.
 
57sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sun, Nov 12, 2006, 13:39 		try again w/o the typos.


do you have this one in your music library yet?

link
 
58nerveclinic
      ID: 1510561311
      Mon, Nov 13, 2006, 13:00 		Pretty funny sarge.
 
59sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Mon, Nov 13, 2006, 13:25 		I thought so. :)
 
60Species
      Leader
      ID: 07724916
      Mon, Nov 13, 2006, 14:32 		Good stuff nerve. Very interesting to hear the adjustments to such a wide culture difference. Keep the updates coming and continued best wishes.
 
61Action Figure
      ID: 329282621
      Tue, Nov 14, 2006, 11:30 		If it was anywhere but Dubai I don't think I could live in the Middle East.

If it was anywhere but Dubai, you would have already been on the news as being kidnapped. See you at Christmas. ;-)




 
62Tree
      ID: 1411442914
      Tue, Nov 14, 2006, 12:07 		Israel is a fairly safe, modern place. and the big cities there are like the big cities anywhere else.
 
63boikin
      ID: 59831214
      Tue, Nov 14, 2006, 13:08 		Nerve, i have to say i have really enjoyed reading your posts from Dubai.
 
64nerveclinic
      ID: 231047176
      Fri, Nov 17, 2006, 08:18 		I've already complained here about the crazy, no suicidal drivers in Dubai. Even having lived in Los Angeles where I specifically sold my Miata because the driving was so bad, nothing could have prepared me for this.

The front page of the newspaper has a story about bad driving almost daily. In a city of just over 1,000,000 people there are over 600 accidents every day. That sounds kind of high to me but I am not surprised.

One thing that puzzled me was I never saw any cops pulling people over. I'd see cars whiz by me on crowded roads pushing 100 MPHs. I'd see car after car weaving through traffic at super high speeds, crossing over 5 lanes of traffic barely missing bumpers. I've also witnessed tailgating within inches of a bumper as an art form.

I've never seen a cop pull someone over though.

Now I know why.

They don't.

In fact there was just a article in the Gulf News saying they are about to start pulling people over, sirens and all, for the first time in Dubai history...can you imagine a highway with no fear of being pulled over?

'There will be no escape' for reckless drivers

By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter


Dubai: Police will now chase reckless motorists and get them to pull over on the roads, a police official said.

The decision came following orders of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to come down hard on reckless drivers.

The police official told Gulf News that the chasing will not be as the system abroad in chasing vehicles. But, he said, police vehicles will follow the reckless motorists using sirens until they pull him over or get the registration plate number and the vehicle's description, which then will be sent to other departments concerned.

He said if the motorist refuses to stop and continues on his way, it will be considered a crime and a criminal case will be registered against him for endangering public security.



Gulf News Story

By the way if you have any curiosity about what it's like here, the Gulf News is the big English language paper and is worth a look.

Here's another stat on speeding here, the only way they really catch them now is with camera's on the highway. Dubai: More than one motorist was caught speeding in Dubai every minute last year, according to statistics released by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

A total of 763,596 traffic fines were issued in 2005 in Dubai for speeding. It means 1.4 motorists were caught on camera for speeding every minute, 87 every hour, 2,092 every 24 hours.

So again in a city with a population of just over 1,000,000... 763,596 tickets for speeding. If you remove children and other non drivers from the equation that has to be one speeding ticket per capita, and this is just using fixed cameras which people know locations of. Our driver constantly speeds up and slows down to avoid the cameras.

In fact the article goes on to say The total number of registered vehicles in 2005 was about 630,000

So if I am reading this correctly, that's more then one speeding ticket for every registered car.

link

 
65walk
      Dude
      ID: 32928238
      Fri, Nov 17, 2006, 08:37 		As the others have said, Nerve, your posts are really interesting. I imagine it's quite an adjustment there...I hope you don't get run over by a smoking car though...

;-)
walk
 
66Boxman
      ID: 40103386
      Sat, Nov 18, 2006, 07:11 		I'm a driving enthusiast and the Chicago commuting traffic steals my joy everyday because the idiots drive slow for no reason. Sounds like Dubai, sans accidents, is right up my alley. Great story Nerveclinic.
 
67bibA
      Leader
      ID: 261028117
      Sat, Nov 18, 2006, 11:22 		Do they carry car insurance there, and if so, is it as we know it here?
 
68katietx
      ID: 3810431417
      Sat, Nov 18, 2006, 11:37 		I think the drivers in Killeen would fit right in!

Keep it coming Nerve...great stuff.
 
69nerveclinic
      ID: 25311017
      Sun, Nov 19, 2006, 04:47
Do they carry car insurance there, and if so, is it as we know it here?

From what I hear the car insurance is great...if your a car. Often they will give you a brand new model if you bought the car new, even if it's a couple years old with heavy miles on it. They haven't figured out the whole current value thing.

Unfortunately for bodily injury you are on your own. No problem if your a native since they have very good national health insurance. Not so good if your newly arrived without a residence visa and therefore not able to buy health insurance.

 
70sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sun, Nov 19, 2006, 09:14 		national health insurance? How insanely leftist of them! ;)
 
71nerveclinic
      ID: 28108203
      Mon, Nov 20, 2006, 04:16

national health insurance? How insanely leftist of them! ;)

Right Sarge, it's no different here then any other good dictatorship. (Jeez I better be careful)

Sometimes it's in the best interests of the dictator to control all the basic needs of the population. If you take care of the cattle's basic needs, it easier to keep them docile and passive.

If you think they are doing it out of any love for their fellow man, or to help the commoner, head on over for a visit, I can set you straight very quickly.




 
72sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Mon, Nov 20, 2006, 10:46 		Oh I know Nerve. Germany when I was there in the 70s and 80s, had a largely 'free' National Health Plan also. Free as far as paying at the Drs Office was concerned, not free, to the extent that everything you did was taxed. Have a TV? Pay a tax. Have a color TV? Pay a higher "luxury" tax. Have a pet? Pay a tax. Have an aquarium? You must be rich. Pay a tax on ea fish in the thing.
 
73nerveclinic
      ID: 1010192014
      Mon, Nov 20, 2006, 15:26

Oh I know Nerve. Germany when I was there in the 70s and 80s, had a largely 'free' National Health Plan also. Free as far as paying at the Drs Office was concerned, not free, to the extent that everything you did was taxed. Have a TV? Pay a tax. Have a color TV? Pay a higher "luxury" tax. Have a pet? Pay a tax. Have an aquarium? You must be rich. Pay a tax on ea fish in the thing.

Nope that's not the issue here Sarge.

Actually there are no taxes here. No income tax, no sales tax. Oil money pays for the health insurance.

I'm not completely comfortable going into what I meant by my comments. (I know paranoid again) but let's just say along with health care, everything is well under control here. Very tight control.

If no one minds, let's just leave it at that.

 
74sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Mon, Nov 20, 2006, 17:28 		understood
 
75Boxman
      ID: 47922511
      Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 13:26 		Dark Side of Dubai's Boomtown

A tiny Arab emirate on the Persian Gulf, Dubai has been making a big splash as a city on the rise -- with a glittering skyline, world-class shopping malls and luxury resorts, all fueled by the grand vision of its absolute ruler, Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al Maktoum.
But in a scathing new report released in Dubai this weekend, the organization Human Rights Watch says the migrant construction workers building Dubai are little more than indentured servants in the wealthy kingdom, one of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).
 
76nerveclinic
      ID: 0112858
      Tue, Dec 05, 2006, 14:07

Over the last 2 months (I've been here that long) I've witnessed on a regular basis the most disgusting eating habits I have ever seen in my life.

This isn't the UAE nationals it's the Indians and Pakis.

There is a type of dish (Forget the name)that's basically a huge plate of rice. Sometimes this rice has lumps of meat in it. It's served with cups of gravies or sauces. The "diner" pours the gravy on the dish and then just starts picking up the rice with his fingers and shoves it in his mouth ("His" mouth, I haven't seen a women do this yet)

No forks, and believe it or not no napkins. A waiter comes around with a pot of rice and a dish and scoops out new piles of rice to add to the plate.

It also seems there must be a race to see how quickly one can eat the rice because they always do it shove it in quickly like the are afraid someone may grab the plate away from them.

On the rare occasion that I do venture into these restaurants, I analyze who in the room is eating in this manner and do whatever possible to turn my back to him so I don't have to witness this abomination while I eat.

No I haven't tried it myself yet.

 
77boikin
      ID: 59831214
      Tue, Dec 05, 2006, 14:31 		i know where to go for dinner as i eat this way everyday, as i am fan of curry and that sounds like what they are eating.
 
78WiddleAvi
      ID: 241140513
      Tue, Dec 05, 2006, 14:40 		I was in Uzbekistan for a year and they ate the same way there.
 
79Species
      Leader
      ID: 07724916
      Tue, Dec 05, 2006, 14:41 		LMAO

I can see the Dubai message boards now:

"I saw the most revolting Westerner eating the other day. He had a knife and fork and put a napkin in his lap. He only dribbled his gravy over his rice and took like 15 minutes to eat what we eat in 3. Disgusting! How do these guys live??"
 
80nerveclinic
      ID: 561128712
      Thu, Dec 07, 2006, 13:32
Species

"I saw the most revolting Westerner eating the other day. He had a knife and fork and put a napkin in his lap. He only dribbled his gravy over his rice and took like 15 minutes to eat what we eat in 3. Disgusting! How do these guys live??"

Oh my god that is classic, I'm sitting in an internet cafe surrounded by smoke and men with picnic table clothes wrapped around their heads and I am LMAO.

 
81GoatLocker
      Sustainer
      ID: 060151121
      Thu, Dec 07, 2006, 16:36 		nerve,
First I saw of this thread.
I love Dubai.
Was always one of my favorite ports.
Don't have a chance to read the whole thread now, but will later.

Cliff
 
82nerveclinic
      ID: 2111499
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 11:01
Not your father's Starbucks:

There are Starbucks here like anywhere else. Some malls even have as many as 3 Starbucks in the same mall. (They have some seriously BIG malls here)

While the coffee tastes the same, something is lacking in the training, and the Starbuck customer service issues I am going to relay are perfect examples of wider customer service issues that exist here in the UAE in other stores as well.

For example, when in the States, and I order an Frappacino, I always order the lite version. Those of you familiar with this will know the normal Fraps are listed on the menu board and the lites are listed separately as Mocha Lite etc.

I was about to order and noticed the board only listed normal Fraps, no lights.

Here’s my conversation with the Starbucks Team Member. (STM)

ME: I was going to order a Frap but I don't see any Frappacino "lite" listed.

STM (Starbucks Team Member): All our Frapaccinos are lite sir.

ME: They are listed on the board as just Frappacino, usually when lites are available they are listed as lite separately.

STM: No sir, all our Frapaccinos are light.

ME: So you don't have regular Frapaccinos? Just lite?

STM: Sir we have regular Frapaccinos.

ME: You just said all your Frapaccinos are light.

STM: Yes Sir, Lite Sir.

ME: I think you are just confused, I think you only have regular Frapaccinos, if you had lite they would be listed as light.

STM: Sir all our Frapaccinos are light.

ME: (Becoming clearly annoyed) I don't believe you.

STM: Sir I tell you all our Frapaccinos are light.

ME: Look I've been going to Starbucks for many years in the USA and they always list them as lite on the menu board.

STM: Yes sir, can I get you a Frappacinno.

Me: (People in line behind me becoming impatient)
Do you have a nutritional brochure I can look at to see the calorie and sugar content?

STM: (Turns confused to fellow Team member) Do we have nutritional brouchure?

FSTM: No

STM: No sir.

ME: Fine just give me a grande mocha Frappacino.

STM (Turning to barista) one grande mocha Frappacino light. (They both snicker)

Then two days ago.

They have a new "Christmas" latte here that has toffee syrup added. I ordered a double espresso with the Toffee syrup in it.

STM: Sorry sir, toffee syrup is only for the Christmas Latte drink.

ME: You’re kidding?

STM: No Sir only for special drink.

ME: Yes but I just want to add it to my espresso and you can charge me extra.

STM: (Looks at other team member confused and asks if she can do this they both push buttons on the cash register) No button to add toffee to espresso sir.

OSTM: Sorry sir toffee only for special Christmas latte.

ME: What if I want a different syrup like vanilla, or almond in my espresso?

TM: No problem sir, which syrup do you want?

ME: Toffee.

TM: Sorry sir, toffee only for special latte, company rule.

ME: Why? You have to be kidding?

STM: Rules sir.

ME (Turning to another customer in line) Can you believe this? This would only happen in Dubai.

STM: Sir the toffee isn’t in the computer, only a few days old so no way to order it.

Me: Are the other syrups in the register?

STM: Yes sir, which one do you want?

ME: Just charge me for an almond but put in the toffee instead, no problem.

STM: I cannot sir….

ME: This is really incredible, I have been going to Starbucks in America for years and nothing like this would ever happen there.

OTM: Our boss here is funny sir.

So finally, we reach a resolution. The STM puts the toffee in my espresso and simply doesn’t charge me for it.


This is symptomatic of other customer service issues here. Don’t get me wrong, the help in the fast food restaurants is much better then the USA. Everyone is very polite, eager to take your order, energetic, smiling. Do you feel that way in most US fast food joints?

But there’s this thing with the help here, especially in the clothing stores. They will just make every excuse to try and make a sale. Any thing you find wrong with a product they simply disagree and say it is fine.

You try on a shirt and when you leave the dressing room they are waiting for the sale.

Store Employee: How did it fit sir?

ME: Too big

SE: “I think it will shrink sir.”

Or “It’s supposed to be baggy sir”

Or

ME: It’s too tight

SE: It will stretch sir.


Another time I am looking for a computer external hard drive. I want a 300 Gig.

ME: Do you have a 300 GIG Hard drive?

SE: Only 200 GIG sir

ME: OK well I want 300 I’ll try somewhere else.

SE: 200 GIG is better sir.

ME: Why is it “better”?

SE: You can store music and even movies on it.

ME: Of course you can do that with any hard drive.

SE: Oh, but 200 gig better.

ME: Why.

SE: Better brand better quality.

Me: You don’t even know what brand 300 Gig I am going to buy, how can you know the quality is better?….


You get the idea, it’s like this all day, and rather then let it go I constantly just call them out on what they are doing, it’s kind of fun.

The last thing I will mention is the Store employee who hovers over you, for instance in a sunglass store (This happens in EVERY sunglass store).

As soon as you try a pair on that’s it, they are glued to your side. Every step you take they take a step following you. 3 feet no 2.5 feet away.

If you want to see a pair that is back in their direction you have to ask them to move out of your way so you can get to them.

Every pair you try on they ask if you want them.

Once you stop looking they start handing you pairs to get you to try them on, they might have nothing in common with any other pair you’ve looked at.

I just look at them and say “I don’t like them. I prefer to pick my own. Why are you following me?”

It’s just the way it is here. I’m trying to have fun with it now, if you don’t it will drive you crazy.


 
83Boldwin
      ID: 189102715
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 16:01 		The Serbian muslim roommate, I had briefly in college, ate his curry and rice the same way, and off a tablecloth set on the floor as well. I can't remember if he had converted his non-muslim Serbian partner into eating that way or not.
 
84GoatLocker
      Sustainer
      ID: 060151121
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 16:23 		By the way, I doubt that it is rice.
Probably Coos-Coos.
You'll find the same thing just about anywhere you go in the Gulf area.

Dubai was always my favorite port, but also liked Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.

If you get a chance nerve, get out and see as much as you can.

Things you'll never see anywhere else in the world.

They can drive you crazy there if you let them.

Cliff
 
85Motley Crue
      Dude
      ID: 439372011
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 16:41 		I know this probably occurred to you, nerveclinic, but you're the unusual one to them. Every customer they have at Starbucks, and the computer store, and the clothing store behaves in a way that you do not, and expects the salespeople to act the way that you described. In my opinion, they likely find you quite strange when you act confrontationally towards them.

I realize you aren't trying to be a jerk or anything, because you said that you're just having some fun. But your post read as if you thought maybe you could get them to eventually change their behaviors. That is likely one of the biggest exercises in futility you could ever participate in.

Glad to hear they're entertaining you, though.
 
86Perm Dude
      ID: 4711299
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 16:52 		Getting salespeople to act in the customer's best interest isn't being a jerk, IMO, even if they aren't used to customers like that.
 
87sarge33rd
      ID: 99331714
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 17:07 		I'd absolutely love for the average American shopper to go to Germany and try pulling ANY of the crap they traditionally get away with in this country. The German shop owner, will bounce that spoiled consumer right out of his store. He can do that, because the shop owner across the street will do the same exact thing.
 
88bibA
      Leader
      ID: 261028117
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 18:33 		I don't know Perm. To a salesperson who believes that his product is "light", and that he may be giving info that he believes is accurate, to be told by a customer that he doesn't believe him, because "in America" things are done differently (as in "correctly"), may come across as a bit condescending. Is it the job of Americans shopping in other societies to teach salespeople to act in what the American believes is a customer's best interest?
 
89Boxman
      ID: 211139621
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 20:01 		Reading thru the last dozen or so posts really clarifies for me why some foreign countries hate Americans and think of us as ugly Americans.

Isn't a benefit of being in a foreign country to enjoy the different customs? Yeah sure some of them are weird, but look at some of the stuff we do. We're not exactly that "normal" either.
 
90sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 21:19 		Agreed Box/bibA. I'm reminded of the time just prior to my enlisting in the Army while working as a grill cook at a local diner.

My "specialty" was steaks. They left my grill; medium rare...period. It made no difference (and still doesn't btw), what the "consumer" ordered. I refuse(d), to burn a steak and IMHO anything past MR, is burnt. I hung a sign over the grill that read;

"This ain't Burger King. You get it my way, or you do without."

We had any number of regulars who would bring their out of town family in KNOWING they would order "well done" and KNOWING I wouldn't serve it that way. We actually did a very good business and that little "trait" was no small part of the appeal.

All boils down to...the American consumer is like a spoiled rotten 10 yr old. If they dont get things juuuuuuuuuuuust so....they whine, they complain, they bitch and moan and groan until either someone loses their job or management gives them their shit for free, just to get rid of them.
 
91Perm Dude
      ID: 4711299
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 21:23 		the American consumer is like a spoiled rotten 10 yr old...

Maybe. But the American economy is the strongest capitalistic system on the planet. Coincidence? I think not.
 
92sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 21:28 		Maybe????? How long would you allow a 10 yr old child of yours, to act the way we see full blown adults acting in a JC Penny/Best Buy etc etc this time of year?

ie, your 10 yr old walks upto his/her 9 yr old cousin and takes away the toy the cousin was playing with, while screaming "I WANT THAT!" (A scene we see played over and over again, throughout this "holiday" shopping season re Wii, PS3, etc etc etc)
 
93Perm Dude
      ID: 4711299
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 21:34 		Is that what Nerve was doing sarge? Really?
 
94sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 21:50 		In the Starbucks? That argument could be made. Point is, the attendant was doing as per his/her instructions. Upon request for something outside those instructions, they checked with another and got the same input. Yet the consumer (NC in this case), persisted. End result? He got something for nothing. Typical American consumer ploy, though not necessarily Nerves intention.
 
95sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 22:04 		To further explain my point a bit PD:

In todays world of "just in time" inventories and computer projected sales, it is entirely within the realm of possible (if not probable), that "X" number of seasonal drinks were projected for sales and therefore a sufficient amount of seasonal ingredient was provided to the store for mixing of precisely "X" number of seasonal drinks. Use any of those seasonal ingredient without recording a seasonal drink...and you are suddenly off with your inventory.

I've never worked at a Starbucks, but way back when, I managed a Pizza Hut. The ingredient for each pizza, is weighed out to the 1/100th of an ounce. With your weekly inventory, that doesnt leave alot of room for deviation. If you sold "X" number of pizzas throughout the week calling for "pepperoni", and you started that week with 15 lbs of pepperoni and got 10lbs more in on the truck, then you had damn well better have 25lbs minus a very specific number of ounces of pepperoni still on hand.

That no arrangement had been made on the automated cash register (computer terminal), to allow that ingredient without logging the respective seasonal drink as a sold item, causes me to believe that this is precisely the case.
 
96GoatLocker
      Sustainer
      ID: 060151121
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 22:08 		Different cultures bring different things to the plate.
One of the first things that I learned in the Gulf was that shopping was like nothing I had every seen before.
And this includes an awful lot of other countries.
Luckily for me, I made a very close friend really early during our first visit to Bahrain.
He was back there living and working, but had been been state side going to college.
He put a lot of time and effort into explaining local customs to me and explaining how I was going to get the best deal I could get.

I spent a lot of time in different Gold Souks doing an awful lot of shopping, and felt that I got some very, very good deals.

But, they didn't come easy.
Drank a lot of tea that I really didn't care for and spent a lot of time talking about anything and everything that had nothing to do with buying gold.

Just the way it is.

Cliff
 
97Perm Dude
      ID: 4711299
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 22:36 		Again, I have to ask: Did Nerve request something for free? He spent a bunch of time trying to get the employees to charge him for something, as they should have.

Trying to get employees in an international company to act efficiently is not the act of a selfish ten-year-old. Nor is not wanting store help to lie to you.

Nerve wasn't asking for anything special to be done, nor was he asking to be treated any differently than he was at other stores for the same company. Its a sad day when asking people to do their job and not lie to you results in being told you are acting like a ten-year-old.
 
98sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 22:39 		He asked for something the attendant was told not to do. The attendant checked and was told NO, again. That should have ended it. But, sorry Nerve, in typical American "I'm the consumer and I'm right" fashion, Nerve wouldn't accept No.
 
99Motley Crue
      Dude
      ID: 439372011
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 22:47 		PD, I know you're smart enough to understand the point that I'm getting at with my post. I never said, and do not believe, that it's not a good idea to explain your intentions and desires to the clerk in an effort to get what you want.

Clearly the different cultural standards in the Middle East are behind what nerveclinic experienced at Starbucks. I believe that he'll likely be the one who will need to get used to them, rather than them getting used to him. That's common sense. They do things their way and have always done so. Irritated and prolonged protestations will likely lead to him being labeled a problem customer, rather than have the desired effect of changing the employees' behavior toward him.

I certainly look forward to hearing the next chapter in the saga, however; maybe we can get a description of the golden bars in the local jail cells if he really pushes it.
 
100Perm Dude
      ID: 4711299
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 22:50 		I completely understand, MC. Really, I do. I simply don't believe, as sarge does, that nerve is a selfish child to ask for consistent service in a Starbucks, particularly when it doesn't appear that the clerk is actually right. It does appear, however, that the clerk, and management, are clueless, and the "customer is right" is not strictly an American trait.
 
101Perm Dude
      ID: 4711299
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 22:51 		Put another way, poor customer service shouldn't be explained away as a "cultural difference," particularly in an American company.
 
102sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 23:02 		nor does American custom apply, whether in Frankfurt or Paris or Bahrain.
 
103sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 23:03 		and for the record...truth be told, the "customer" is almost n-e-v-e-r right. The American business, simply caters to them as though they were.
 
104Motley Crue
      Dude
      ID: 439372011
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 23:05 		Yeah, that's all well and good, but the proper attitude is important in cases where you're trying to "help" the ignorant foreigners learn to do things the right way.

Patience. A basic understanding that one man a revolution does not make. That kind of attitude.

I love the American way. I'm sarge's worst nightmare. On the other hand, I have enough common sense not to sneer and be impatient with foreign salespeople when I travel overseas. A more effective strategy is to point out to them the way you'd like things done, and then maybe write a letter to corporate. Take it up the chain, if it's one of your typical American companies. That's the only way to practically affect anything in this instance.
 
105Perm Dude
      ID: 4711299
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 23:12 		Look, nerve isn't going into some marketplace and demanding they put price stickers on everything so he doesn't have to barter, or ask any special consideration for his business. This is an American company--presumably put there so a little slice of America can be set up there. He's going into an American company and asking to be treated as he has been in other stores of that same company.

Was he wrong? I don't care about people acting like ten-year olds, buying cars through impetuous demands, or some generalization that seems easy to fall back on as an excuse for poor customer service. I'm talking about in this particular instance.

The excuse that a monopoly on poor customer service should hold because it is some kind of local custom is terribly insulting to those countries. Essentially, telling them that they simply shouldn't even try to institute American-type customer service into their business model because Americans (who have no real economic experience or success to speak of, apparently), make them work for their money.

I'm all for sticking to local customs, or at least respecting them when different (which is where Nerve is going with his "being amused" comment--he's not getting upset at their differences, or trying to be a revolutionary). When I was in Barcelona, for instance, I tried to speak Spanish, kept local customs whenever I was aware of them in local and native areas, and generally tried to immerse myself into the culture so as to enjoy the difference.

But when I went into the Barcelona McDonalds, I expected American-type service. And got it.
 
106sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 23:15 		When in Rome, you do as the Romans do. Whether in an American company or not. This is Dubai. One had best learn Dubai custom and conduct themselves accordingly. THAT, will be the best way to get along while there. (wherever "there" happens to be.)
 
107Motley Crue
      Dude
      ID: 439372011
      Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 23:24 		Based on several of the posts from others above, I feel I'm not the only one that got the impression nerveclinic was walking a fine line between protesting respectfully and presumptuously patronizing the Starbucks people.

Writing an e-mail to Starbucks would probably generate much more desirable results than arguing with the 19-year-old Arab behind the counter. Hell, that isn't any different than here.
 
108nerveclinic
      ID: 531142101
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 02:53

to be told by a customer that he doesn't believe him, because "in America" things are done differently (as in "correctly"), may come across as a bit condescending. Is it the job of Americans shopping in other societies to teach salespeople to act in what the American believes is a customer's best interest?

Um I brought up the "in America" part because Starbucks is an American company, started in America, headquartered in America. They are working for an American company.

So if the American stores list each separately, it stands to reason that the normal listing on the board in the UAE must be a normal Frappacino.

Hoping this would sink into a Philippino working in a Starbucks in Dubai is likely the ultimate excersize in futility.

In truth I bring up the "in America" part at times because I am so annoyed it's a way to annoy them back, so if in this case it "may come across as a bit condescending." then my purpose has been served... 8-]

Please rest assured in most situations in Dubai I treat people of all nationalities with the greatest of respect and dignity. Something they are not used to from the locals here.

 
109nerveclinic
      ID: 531142101
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 03:04

PD I simply don't believe, as sarge does, that nerve is a selfish child to ask for consistent service in a Starbucks, particularly when it doesn't appear that the clerk is actually right. It does appear, however, that the clerk, and management, are clueless, and the "customer is right" is not strictly an American trait.

Well PD said it better then I did. It has nothing to do with "customs". It's just sort of a lack of common sense concerning customer service at times.

Please understand, I am polite when I discuss this with them. I am smiling, I am "amused", and of course I never raise my voice. I am never, ever, "ugly" about it. I often laugh as I say "your kidding, you won't put toffee in my espresso, literally chuckle and smile with an amused look.

I'm just so shocked that they will put 30 other flavors in my espresso, but not the toffee that I have to pursue the absurdity a bit.

I actually had told them "don't worry, just give me the two shots of espresso with no syrup" when suddenly she decided to give me the shot for free.

 
110nerveclinic
      ID: 531142101
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 03:14
Motley Writing an e-mail to Starbucks would probably generate much more desirable results than arguing with the 19-year-old Arab behind the counter. Hell, that isn't any different than here.

ARAB? Did you say ARAB? behind the counter???

HA HA HA HAH I don't think so.

Come over here and suggest an Arab should work at a fast food restaurant and you might be shot.

No sir there are no locals working at Starbucks.

There are no locals at McDonalds, Burger King or Subway.

That's why the expat is 80% of the population. They have Phillipinos and Indians work in these menial jobs, there is NO WAY you will ever, ever see a local Arab working fast food. In fact you rarely ever see any of them working anywhere.

The closest you see to Arab's working here is the displaced Lebanese working in their own restaurant's or high end boutiques and some locals working in government jobs.

Suggesting that it's an Arab behind the counter at a Starbucks is one of the funniest things I have heard in a long time.

 
111Boxman
      ID: 211139621
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 08:23 		Sarge: When in Rome, you do as the Romans do.

Thank you.

nerveclinic: Um I brought up the "in America" part because Starbucks is an American company, started in America, headquartered in America. They are working for an American company.

That has nothing to do with anything. You are in Dubai. If the manager (or Starbucks Corporate) has even one brain cell, they run the store to cater to the customers in their region.

It's why grocery stores on the south side of Chicago have pickled pigs feet while my grocery store wouldn't carry it if you paid them to. The clientele in one region buys it en masse while the other vomits when they see it.

They aren't running that Starbucks to cater to New Yorkers or Chicagoans. They should be catering it to Dubaians.

You always have the right to vote with your money, but don't expect every country out there to be like the United States.
 
112Mattinglyinthehall
      ID: 374522815
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 09:58 		Sarge

This is Dubai. One had best learn Dubai custom and conduct themselves accordingly.

I'm sorry, Sarge, which custom is it you are referring to here? The timeless tradition of open substitution between hazelnut and vanilla syrup - but never ever toffee syrup? How dare nerve be so obtuse! He had best conduct himself accordingly!

Nerveclinic! How dare you not accept the salesperson's claim that a 200g hard drive is better than a 300g hard drive?! Don't you know that in Dubai it is customary for consumers to simply accept that 200g drives are better if that is what the salesperson tells them? You fool! Hopefully you didn't insult the man's culture by not buying one!


Boxman

If the manager (or Starbucks Corporate) has even one brain cell, they run the store to cater to the customers in their region

That might be kind of hard since the majority of Dubai residents are not from the UAE. With over 100,000 westerners there I tend to think that a good bulk of Starbucks customers in Dubai are likely people who are familiar with Starbucks from thier home.

But I'll humor you. Please explain to me; exactly which customers are "Starbucks Corporate" catering with a policy of freely exchanging all syrups in their coffee drinks - except for toffee?

And then you can tell me exacly which customers are being catered to by the computer accessories salesperson who insists that the 200g hard drive in his store is better than any 300g model that he doesn't have in stock?

From Nerve's posts here and from what I've heard and read elsewhere, Dubai sounds like a virtual free-for-all orgy of a consumer market. Obviously, lots and lots and lots of money is being passed around. This is also obviously a reletively new phenomenon and I get the feeling that it is much more likely a lack of any long tradition of competition-drivern customer service (like we are familiar with in the USA) that results in salsepeople who focused on pestering or even deceiving you into buying something, rather than on providing a pleasant shopping experience. In other words, I think its the opposite of local customs being the reason for Nerve's experiences in the sunglass and computer accessories stores. Its more likely the fact that the culture has reletively little retail experience in such an enormous market, which largely sprang up over the course of a couple of decades.

Regarding the Starbucks issue, I tend to think that Starbucks corporate management would have their Dubai stores offer all of the same perks as their other stores, including exchanging vanilla syrup for toffee. Most likely the employees are trained to adhere strictly to company policy and will play it safe when faced with an issue that they haven't dealt with before. That's not difference from how service used to be in a lot of fast food restaurants in the USA, and probably often still is. I think it's likely exagerated by the fact that these employees from management-down, I assume, are living in a foreign country and working for a company from yet another country.

Or maybe they simply didn't have much of the toffeee syrup in stock and were told to only use it in the holiday drink so that they could make as many of the seasonal specials as possible.

In any case, this "local culture" argument is ridiculous.
 
113Boxman
      ID: 211139621
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 10:36 		But I'll humor you. Please explain to me; exactly which customers are "Starbucks Corporate" catering with a policy of freely exchanging all syrups in their coffee drinks - except for toffee?

Your smarmy attacks are actually funny. Perhaps they think toffee sucks in Dubai. They run their business that way for a reason.

And then you can tell me exacly which customers are being catered to by the computer accessories salesperson who insists that the 200g hard drive in his store is better than any 300g model that he doesn't have in stock?

When did I comment on that? Show me and I'll gladly answer your question. Otherwise shut up.
 
114Boxman
      ID: 211139621
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 10:45 		Here, Mith, just to highlight nerveclinic's alleged "polite" ignorance.

From his own post, #82:

STM: Sir we have regular Frapaccinos.

ME: You just said all your Frapaccinos are light.

STM: Yes Sir, Lite Sir.

ME: I think you are just confused, I think you only have regular Frapaccinos, if you had lite they would be listed as light.

STM: Sir all our Frapaccinos are light.

ME: (Becoming clearly annoyed) I don't believe you.

STM: Sir I tell you all our Frapaccinos are light.

ME: Look I've been going to Starbucks for many years in the USA and they always list them as lite on the menu board.

STM: Yes sir, can I get you a Frappacinno.

Clearly, from this except, nerveclinic believes that because the AMERICAN Starbucks list the lite drinks seperately that it must be so everywhere in the world. This is a classic example of an "ugly American" and I dare you to refute that.

Again from #82:

TM: Sorry sir, toffee only for special latte, company rule.

ME: Why? You have to be kidding?

STM: Rules sir.

ME (Turning to another customer in line) Can you believe this? This would only happen in Dubai.

STM: Sir the toffee isn’t in the computer, only a few days old so no way to order it.

Me: Are the other syrups in the register?

STM: Yes sir, which one do you want?

ME: Just charge me for an almond but put in the toffee instead, no problem.

STM: I cannot sir….

ME: This is really incredible, I have been going to Starbucks in America for years and nothing like this would ever happen there.

So again, because "nothing like this would ever happen there (America)" apparently means that it shouldn't be happening in Dubai?

Classic ugly American.

Again, I dare you to refute that.
 
115Mattinglyinthehall
      ID: 374522815
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 11:12 		Boxman

You are correct in that you have not commented on Nerve's computer accessories store experience. My apologies for the misrepresentation of your points. It was not deliberate.

Of course, I haven't commented at all on Nerveclinic, himself, his "polite ignorance" (sic) or status as an "ugly American" (sic). Interesting how in the same post in which you rather harshly (Otherwise shut up.) call me out for applying your points to arguments which they were not intended for, you did precisely that - right after you finished chastizing me.

That said, I will extend to you the courtesy of a reply to the only relevant portion of your response to me:

Perhaps they think toffee sucks in Dubai. They run their business that way for a reason.

If you you feel this is a more likely explanation for why Nerve couldn't get them to put toffee syrup in his coffee, you have every right to your opinion. Of course, that they not only stock the stuff but promote a holiday special product that features their toffee syrup would render your opinion questionable for most. But then you've made it clear over and over and over again that you'd much rather humiliate yourself by espousing some of the most ridiculous things I've heard than concede an argument to me.
 
116walk
      ID: 259313119
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 11:26 		Man, those exchanges noted in #82 were just very, very funny. Well transcribed, Nerve.

I do not think Nerve's incredulousness was "ugly." He may have been a tad persistent, and was clearly trying to make a point through logic and inquiry, but rules and norms, and exceptions I guess vary culturally. However, it is very interesting that NC was able to get his toffee and drink it too, for free. At the end of the day, his logic and persistence prevailed.

Customer service is clearly defined differently in different cultures...(d'oH!)

- walk
 
117WiddleAvi
      ID: 241137114
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 13:20 		Boxman -

STM: Sir we have regular Frapaccinos.

ME: You just said all your Frapaccinos are light.

STM: Yes Sir, Lite Sir.

It seems to me that the salespeople there will say anything in order to make the sale. Nerv was just calling him out on it. I see nothing wrong with nerv questioning how all the their Fraps could be light & Regular.
 
118sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 13:47 		Sure folks...


Lets all go to a foreign country,
insist that the retail clerks speak to us in our native language, not theirs,
insist that they comply with US standards/norms of kissing customers asses
question them, when their English isnt upto our own standards,

could we possibly do anything at all, which would more clearly illustrate the foreign held conception of Americans as conceited bastards?????
 
119Perm Dude
      ID: 3811561012
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 13:56 		Yes. We could have an exchange which contained actual conceit.
 
120Perm Dude
      ID: 3811561012
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 13:58 		Reminds me of a lunch I had with my wife in New York. We saw New England Clam Chowder on the menu, and I ordered a bowl. When the soup came, it was Manhattan Clam Chowder instead. When I pointed out that the menu said "New England Clam Chowder" the waiter said "Yes sit. Manhattan New England Clam Chowder."

I guess I was conceited to bring it up at all....
 
121sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 14:30 		The difference, shouldnt need to be pointed out but apparently it does, is that you were in the US. How odd, that one would anticipate US customs to be followed in NYC.

Customer asks for something out of the ordinary. (Apparently thats the case here, whether it would be considered so in Seattle is hardly appropriate. It was out of the ordinary n Dubai.)

Retail rep politely agrees with the customer repeatedly, but indicates that he cant comply with the customers wishes.

Customer persists.

Retail rep repeats their inability to comply.

Customer persists.

Retail rep checks with a co-worker and is told that they cannot comply. Relates this to the customer.

Customer persists.

News flash: The customer is WRONG in this scenario.
 
122Punk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 14:38 		No matter how much you think you were right in badgering the person in the starbucks to get your way, you're what we call the good ole american A-hole that comes into a convenience type setting and tells the person behind the counter over and over again "but the boss lets me do that." My assumption would be you've never had to deal with customers like that, but I guess you never know. I can fully understand how they were only supposed to use it in their "holiday drink" with them saying they didn't know when they could reorder it. I don't see how that wasn't a valid excuse on it.
 
123nerveclinic
      ID: 4611301014
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 15:32

Boxman: That has nothing to do with anything. You are in Dubai. If the manager (or Starbucks Corporate) has even one brain cell, they run the store to cater to the customers in their region.

So they cater to the customer in their region by agreeing to put any syrup they want in their espresso except tofee? Explain.

I swear to God I wrote this before I saw MITH say the exact same thing...

Clearly, from this except, nerveclinic believes that because the AMERICAN Starbucks list the lite drinks seperately that it must be so everywhere in the world. This is a classic example of an "ugly American" and I dare you to refute that.

Ok I refute that.

I can fully understand how they were only supposed to use it in their "holiday drink" with them saying they didn't know when they could reorder it. I don't see how that wasn't a valid excuse on it.

Well THAT might have been a valid excuse, except they didn't say that. Where did I say they did?

The funny thing is, this is what goes on every day here. This was not an isolated incident. This is just how you are constantly entertained in stores here.

I posted this thinking forum members would get a kick out of it. when I spoke to the team members I was polite, soft spoken, smiled, never rude. I just find some of the exchanges amusing and can't help but tweak them since I feel they are tweaking me first.

It never occurred to me I would be labeled an "Ugly American" since for the most part I treat everyone I meet here, down to the lowest workers on the totem pole with complete respect while they are treated like sh*t by many others.

You just never know what will set some people of here I guess.



 
124nerveclinic
      ID: 4611301014
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 15:45
I feel like after all this I owe Dubai some respect.

I am going home for Christmas in less then 2 weeks. I'm really excited to be headed back to the USA. I am also really excited I am coming back here.

I thought for a while that I might not want to come back. Now I am really hoping things work out here because I am generally having a good time.

There's a vibrant night life here. People are generally friendly. The weather right now is incredible, 70's during the day 60's at night. I'm walking around tonight (midnight) in a shirt, no jacket.

There's a certain easy way of life that doesn't exist in any "big city" in the states I've encountered.

There's no real crime to speak of, no fear walking down any street in town. Beautiful beaches, and have I mentioned before, more beautiful women from all nationalities then I have ever seen in one place in my life.

It's really refreshing meeting women/men who grew up in India, Africa, China, Pakistan. Frankly also getting a new perspective on how fortunate we all were to grow up where we did.

Some of the stuff I post is just the differences between here and the USA that I think will be amusing. No one wants me to write dry reports about how wonderful it is here do they?

But it's pretty cool in a lot of ways. I am in no hurry to leave. I can see spending several years here if things work out, and it seems to get better every day.

So there props to Dubai.

There's plenty to joke about, but some of you would be mighty envious of the way of life here that you probably can't really imagine. I couldn't even imagine it even after I was here a few weeks. You just have to get into the Dubai groove.



 
125Punk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 15:46 		STM: Sir the toffee isn’t in the computer, only a few days old so no way to order it.

Unless you are saying they didn't know how to put it in the computer to ring it up, when I read it I took it as them saying they couldn't order more of it.
 
126nerveclinic
      ID: 4611301014
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 15:52 		STM: Sir the toffee isn’t in the computer, only a few days old so no way to order it.

Unless you are saying they didn't know how to put it in the computer to ring it up, when I read it I took it as them saying they couldn't order more of it.

It's your second explanation. Since there wasn't a button on the computer that could ring up the toffee like the other 30 syrups they could ring up on the computer, she simply decided instead I couldn't have it.

Honestly guys, it's all in fun. No team members were yelled at. I smiled the whole time. I didn't threaten to write to corporate. I didn't tell anyone they were stupid. I said don't worry about it just give me two plain shots (My normal drink). Honest

 
127nerveclinic
      ID: 4611301014
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 16:02 		Here's props to the locals.

I took a shot at getting home internet today. You can't get it until you have full residency and because of some complications I am not there yet. I brought lots of paperwork showing that we were working on it, copies of passport, visa, apartment lease company letter etc.

I sat down with a local UAE bureaucrat (the internet is government and this is one of the only jobs they work at).

I was offered internet if I put down a $1,300.00 deposit. I passed. (The internet cafe is about $1.50 an hour)

The local, who knew I was an American from my passport was polite. He apologized. He explained the rules and the reasons for it in great detail (foreigners ripping off the phone company in the past).

He was genuinely and sincerely sympathetic to my case and rather then being purely bureaucratic went out of his way to be polite, respectful and sympathetic to me. Not the first time this has happened so maybe some over due props from me to the local UAE citizens.

 
128Punk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 16:05 		And to think people bitch when they have to put down $100 on a cell phone to get it set up ;'P
 
129nerveclinic
      ID: 4611301014
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 16:52
Bili How ya' gonna find the raves!?!?

Raves you ask?

And trust me this is just a few of the clubs last week














Welcome to the Conservative Middle East.

 
130Boxman
      ID: 211139621
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 17:10 		So they cater to the customer in their region by agreeing to put any syrup they want in their espresso except tofee? Explain.

Because it is entirely possible that toffee is not popular unless if it's part of the Holiday Drink. I would imagine that if toffee was indeed popular, they'd offer it. If they had a ton of people asking for it, it only makes sense for them to offer it. Otherwise, that's a stupid business decision on their part.

Considering that it's ONLY available in the Holiday Drink, that implies to me they have limited quantity on hand and have only so much of it to cover what they expect to sell of the Holiday Drinks. (Sarge covered this specific point earlier, but since you asked me I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.)

I'm sure you are a generally polite and well mannered person, especially when you're out of your comfort zone a tad.

Yet just try and be open minded that you are in a foreign country and that perhaps how you appear to others reflects on all of us. :)
 
131sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 18:05 		FTR, at no time did I say or imply that NS was necessarily "rude". Only, that by persisting after having been told the option he wanted wasnt available, he fed into the stereo-typical view of Americans.

As I understand it, Nerve has a fairly lengthy background in retail, so I rather doubt that he would be overtly rude to the retail floor worker. I still hold however, that by persisting after having been told no, it reinforces the negative view on Americans in general.

As to why the clerk may not have said that the mix is available strictly, solely and ONLY for the special holiday drink; (assuming such is the case)

1) They did. They said the terminal isnt programmed to allow the adding of the Toffee mix to anything but that one drink.
2) Further explanations of company inventory policy, isnt generally owed to the consumer here in the US either. Why would it be overseas?


And finally, re the "lite" order:

As I understand it, XXX-Lite, is a predominantly American "thing". I dont recall in my 7 years in Europe, ever seeing a Pilsner Lite, or a Heineken Lite, or Jagermeister Lite.
 
132Perm Dude
      ID: 3811561012
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 18:23 		And yet they insisted it was "Lite."
 
133sarge33rd
      ID: 76442923
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 18:56 		No, they repeatedly agreed with the customer. Whatever NC said, they said, "Right". Not exactly atypical of a foreign speaker of English, working in a customer service environment now, is it?????

C'mon Fred. You're smarter than this.
 
136bibA
      Leader
      ID: 261028117
      Sun, Dec 10, 2006, 22:57 		My interpretation of events was that possibly the salesperson believed that all of their products were "lite", and that he may not have been aware of the caloric differences that we in the US take for granted with our products.
 
137Perm Dude
      ID: 3811561012
      Mon, Dec 11, 2006, 00:04 		sarge, you seem to be missing nerve's point. Maybe your efforts to portray the whole thing to match your own bias about the rights and wrongs of customer service, perhaps.

It is poor customer service. I don't believe that nerve raised much of a stink about it--I thought it was amusing, and you'll note I didn't jump in until people started taking nerve to task for not being sensitive to the cultural differences in which he should simply excuse the service as being part and parcel of his culture.
 
138nerveclinic
      ID: 201039265
      Sun, Dec 17, 2006, 10:47

I need this like a hole in the head...

link

The United States warned the United Arab Emirates on Thursday it may take action against the Gulf state if it fails to halt the flow of technology to Iran and Syria that can be used to make improvised bombs.

"We continue to discuss this issue with UAE authorities but time for action is running short," Chris Padilla, assistant secretary of commerce for export administration, said in a speech to an industry group.

 
139katietx
      ID: 3810431417
      Sun, Dec 17, 2006, 12:28 		Geez...just when you thought rude retail help was a big problem. Be safe nerve!
 
140biliruben
      ID: 52014814
      Tue, Jan 23, 2007, 15:39 		I stumbled across this piece on present and future development of Dubai. Unfortunately it's in German, and my Deutsch is sehr rusty. Cool pics, though:





 
141boikin
      ID: 59831214
      Tue, Jan 23, 2007, 16:05 		Article today in USAtoday about Dubai and tourism
 
142nerveclinic
      ID: 27051103
      Wed, Jan 24, 2007, 02:53
Yeah that article will pretty much give you an idea of the progress. They don't stress how bad the traffic is enough though, and it leaves out the huge parts of Dubai that are still second world.

It's still a relatively "small" city. I was struck when I went back home for Christmas how much bigger and denser Atlanta is then Dubai.

The night clubs are world class and full of eye candy and a really, really sexy energy that I've never experienced in the States, but then I didn't go to the commercial clubs in the States and all the clubs here are commercial.

My current favorite club is Zinc. The cabin crew for Emirates airline gets all drinks at half price. (All Emirates airline cabin crew live in Dubai, all 3,500 of them and they are 90% female)

Let's just say cabin crews in this part of the world are a bit different then the USA. They don't bother with the politically correct laws about allowing the crew to age and gain weight.

It's a very young, good looking, international cabin crew thus a pretty nice looking night club.

Nerve
 
143nerveclinic
      ID: 12032610
      Fri, Jan 26, 2007, 11:10 		The latest controvesy in Dubai. Ex Pat Construction workers who make about $500.00 a month tops, have been accused in a local paper of eating stray cats.

Here are some "letter to the editor" reactions to the story. I think the letters explain more then I could...

(I think this first guy is just having a bit of fun with the story)

Further to today’s front page article, I request that Dubai retains a little perspective on this matter. Cats are lazy, dirty animals that offer very little to humanity at the best of times, and the strays that are being eaten are a menace to society and no better than common rodents. Those eating the cats are doing Dubai a public service by ridding the city of this menace, thus reducing accidents on the roads and relieving the burden on feline charities. So why deny Dubai’s hard working labourers a hearty meal every now and then?
Tim B
Dubai

How could people do such a thing .. eat a pet! there is not enough meat on the markets that human have to eat everything or anything who don't have the power to defend them self? I'm so ashamed to be a human being sometimes really! and now i fear even more for my friend ’s cat who disappeared last month! who knows what might happened to her knowing that people who lives around us eat cat like they would eat any other meat! shame on you! to whom it might concern!delicacies or not!!!
Laetitia.R
Dubai

Horror of Horrors in Today’s 7 Days front page. Cute little pussy cats, enemies to no man, been slaughtered and BOILED to appease the appetites of hungry laborers. These are my thoughts as the maid brought me in my breakfast this morning. Unable to swallow my caviar, I run down 2 flights of stairs in my mansion and jump onto my computer to scribe this diatribe. How can people boil cats? Its disgusting. The only way to cook cat is to fry it. Add loads of garlic, a smooching of lemon, perhaps chopped tomatoes (I never really know what my head cook puts into these dishes) and fried onion. Adorn the dish with decapitated snake entrails and eat. Yum yum gorgeous. Sometimes I actually fly this dish in from South China but it tends to cool on the flight. Best bet is to buy the Chef and bring him over permanently. If other readers like their food different please let me know. My authors are currently working on a cook book for cockroaches and termites. But please folks. Boiled cat is a no no.
Cool Hand Luke
Dubai

To the people of Dubai of all nationalities I would like to tell you that animal treatment here is very offensive.To those of you who mistreat animals like cats,I would like to tell you proudly that you really don’t have a heart .Ive heard a lot of stories of what people do to cats and other animals but this has really gotten too far. I’ve heard throwing cats on cars as a game, kicking, hurting, scaring, but this is the worst treatment I have ever heard of. As a local in Dubai I have never heard this happen in my country. Eating cats is not only going to take you strait to hell, it is going to be very mean and cruel of you to eat these domestic animals who can be your pets. Don’t you think before eating these animals ? I really think that Dubai Municipality should not stand for this. They should not ignore the fact that people who don’t have feelings are eating stray cats .Dubai labor camps should not allow this . I think that it is fair enough for anyone who eats a domestic animal such as a cat should be punished .For the labor camps in Jebel Ali house workers from the countries China, Vietnam, Korea, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh who those of you who eat cats should really be stopped and punished and stop this dirty habit especially in an Islamic country. If I see any person mistreating any poor, stray, domestic creature I will certainly not stand for this and I will report them to Dubai police.

 
144Punk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Thu, Feb 01, 2007, 05:29 		Just caught a show on Discovery last night about the 150+ story building they are putting up. It ended about 90 stories up, how many have they built to date Nerve? Looks like it will be a marvel there.
 
145nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Fri, Feb 02, 2007, 08:44 		Punk

I think they are still a about 90 sories last time I read a few
weeks ago. The do one floor a week. There's been a delay with it
lately though.

They are not officially disclosing the final hieght because they
don't want competitors to simply build a slightly bigger one.
They are also designing it so that additional hieght can be added
later.

Dubai does a really good job of creating these mega projects
that get a lot of press. Strip these away (And granted it's a lot to
strip away) and it's still just an average place.

They are really good at self promotion though so they are
getting lots of press.

The latest I've heard is they are building the biggest amuesment
park in the world. It will be double the size of Disney World.
Also a hotel that will be completely under water.

The sheik claims the current projects are only 10% of what will
be here in the end.



 
146nerveclinic
      ID: 714549
      Sun, Feb 04, 2007, 10:53 		I posted this in the golf section but I thought I would post it here too.

Saturday I went to the Dubai Desert Classic.

I got a late start but I followed Tiger's back 9 holes.

What a difference to an American tournament. Maybe 5% of the size an American gallery would have been. I doubt there were even 10,000 people. Some players literally had no one watching since everyone was following Woods group or Els.

Woods put one of his shots close to the spectator ropes and it was easy to run over and get the closest spot on the rope about 10 feet away from him to watch his shot.

I inadvertently walked into the players walk area at the end of a hole and was politely asked to step out just as I watched Tiger walk by a few feet from me.

2 treats. The 17th hole is a short par 4, only 359 yards. The only problem is it dog legs to the right and there's a group of palm trees blocking the shot to the green.

I was waiting for Woods to hit and couldn't understand why the guy who controls the pace of play was keeping the red flag up. Yes there was a group on the green, but come on, no one is going to actually put it on there I thought, no way.

As soon as the green was clear he raised the green flag and Woods astonished everyone by putting the ball around the palm trees and onto the green in one on a par 4. He missed eagle by a foot or two.

The other players with him both were 30-40 yards short of the green.

Then the par 5 18th. This is a very skinny green with a viewing building directly behind it just a few feet from the green and a lake directly in front of it. There is no room for error.

The other two with Woods, Derksen and Jimenez both laid their second shots up in front of the lake. Woods pulled out a fairway wood and dropped the ball onto the green. Another thrill for the crowd.

Except for the palm trees and a lot of sand you would have thought you were at a European tournament. Mostly Brits and other Europeans attending. Any Middle Easterners blended in wearing western clothing. It seemed to be all Brits running the tournament.

It was a nice experience seeing such a great player but being able to get very close to the action very easily.

50 Bucks to get in.

Next year I will try not to party the night before and get there a little earlier...8-}

 
147Pancho Villa
      ID: 37154320
      Sun, Feb 04, 2007, 11:21 		Nerve,
I was thinking about you when I read about the tournament this morning. Thanks for the story.
 
148Pancho Villa
      ID: 37154320
      Sat, Mar 03, 2007, 09:27 		Last month you got to see Tiger Woods in action. I hope this weekend you get to see the Tiger Woods of tennis, Roger Federer, play in the Dubai Open. Federer will be considered one of the all time greats in tennis, right up there with Conners, McEnroe, Laver and Sampras. Actually, he's more dominant than any of them, as there's really no one on his level right now.

Hope you get a chance to check him out.
 
149nerveclinic
      ID: 27051103
      Sun, Mar 04, 2007, 03:37
I have no interest whatsoever in Tennis but I would go to see Federer had it been "easy".

There was a chance I could get a free ticket and I was going to go if I did. That fell through and now the $27.00 tickets are selling for $270 from scalpers (and that was the semi finals) so I won't be going.

I did get free VIP tickets to Cirque De Sole about two weeks ago. These were $200.00 tickets that included a party before and during intermission (Yes booze was served.)

They were literally front row seats in the middle of the stage. It was a real thrill to see the show only 4 feet from the stage. Another one of those things that you can do here that would be much harder to pull off in the States.

I went to a party this weekend (50-60 people) where I was the only Caucasian and one of only 2 non Muslims. Everyone was gracious and polite and didn't as much as flinch when I said I was American. These weren't locals but Muslims of Indian and African descent.

As anticipated, while plenty of people here don't like Bush, there's been zero hostility toward my nationality.

Of course that could all change if we bomb Iran which is right across the pond from here. There's even been talk that if they hit radioactive targets it could have an effect on us (Although I don't know how much truth there is to that.)



 
150Nerveclinic
      ID: 30245138
      Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 11:15
Quick Update

Well summer is here.

Thursday and Friday the highs will be 87 degrees.

I'm sure you saw the headline. Halliburton is moving it's world headquarters here. Seems they want to be closer to the oil...and maybe the next war zone they'll help rebuild.

Finally, I've discovered a new club. It's been here all along I just didn't pay attention. The kicker? It's literally 3 New York blocks from my house. An easy (and safe)walk.

The main dance floor is outside and holds about 600-700. It's the first photo on their web page. Interior rooms are nice also including the bed room...

here's the Link

Chi @ the Lodge

I heard the drum beats getting home late lots of nights (Outdoor dance floor) and finally made it over. Quite the scene. Mostly Europeans with a smattering of other nationalities thrown in. The place was packed.

I'll be back.

 
151Nerveclinic
      ID: 30245138
      Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 11:23

here's the Halliburton story.

link

 
152Punk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 11:26 		Since you said it's a "Safe" walk, does that mean alot of places seem mid 80's seedy NY?
 
153Perm Dude
      ID: 20252136
      Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 11:26 		Sweet pic of the dance place. So I should probably fax stuff to you c/o them, now?

:)
 
154Nerveclinic
      ID: 30245138
      Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 11:38

Since you said it's a "Safe" walk, does that mean a lot of places seem mid 80's seedy NY?

Actually pretty much everywhere is a safe walk here.

Although it definitely has it's share of "seedy", just without the drug dealers.

 
155Baldwin
      ID: 3503618
      Tue, Mar 13, 2007, 14:08 		Haliburton has announced they are moving their headquarters to Dubai.

Send them a warm Poliboard greeting when they show up, Nerve. 8]
 
156nerveclinic
      ID: 232321615
      Fri, Mar 16, 2007, 17:50 		Sandstorm today, actually the last two days. Looks like pollution, stings the eyes. You have to constantly rub stuff out of them.

Cuts visibility, diverted 5 flights from the airport today

It's the second one since I moved here but the first one was not this bad.

It hit 99 degrees yesterday (Hot even for here in March) and I was going to hit the beach today but changed my mind when the sand - dust storm hit.

So the Northeast is getting hit with snow, and I'm getting hit by sand.



Nerve

 
157nerveclinic
      ID: 232321615
      Fri, Mar 16, 2007, 18:01
No that's not me in the picture... 8-}

 
158Baldwin
      ID: 14358177
      Mon, May 14, 2007, 02:41 		The people who hijacked Iran naturally don't like 'west friendly' spirit of Dubai so naturally...
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran's president led a raucous anti-American rally in this tightly controlled U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf, a day after a low-key visit by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney aimed at countering Tehran's influence in the region.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a cheering crowd Sunday that America was to blame for creating instability and robbing the region of its wealth.

"We are telling you to leave the region. This is for your benefit and the benefit of your nation," Ahmadinejad shouted to the crowd of thousands at a soccer stadium. "The nations of the region can no longer take you forcing yourself on them. The nations of the region know better how to create peace and security."

Ahmadinejad's visit was the first by an Iranian head of state to this Sunni-led Arab country since its independence in 1971 and his rally was remarkable in a country where political parties are banned and power is held solely by tribal families.

Cheney's quiet visit Saturday to the Emirates, which hosts three American military bases, was part of a tour of the region to try to curb Iran's growing influence. On Friday, from an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, Cheney warned Iran that the U.S. and its allies will keep it from restricting sea traffic as well as from developing nuclear weapons.

The Iranian president has ratcheted up his nation's assertiveness in the Persian Gulf, capitalizing on the Bush administration's unpopularity to challenge Washington's alliances with Arab countries in the Persian Gulf.

Sunni royal families in the Emirates and elsewhere in the region also fear Iran's growing influence, especially the Shiite country's nuclear program, and worry about being sandwiched in a U.S.-Iran war.

Ahmadinejad wants the Emirates, Oman and the other Persian Gulf Arab countries to drop their military alliances with Washington and join Iran in a regional effort to maintain stability in the energy-rich region. Washington maintains 40,000 troops on land bases in Persian Gulf countries outside Iraq and has 20,000 sailors and Marines in the region.

"Every time your name is mentioned, hatred builds up," Ahmadinejad said of the United States. "Go fix yourself. This is Iran's advice to you. Leave the region."

One woman in the crowd shouted "I love you!" and Ahmadinejad paused to respond with a polite "thank you."

"God bless you for loving Iran so dearly," he told the crowd. "I love you."

The crowd, many of them expatriate Iranians, cheered Ahmadinejad and waved Iranian flags. One group carried a black banner bearing a yellow symbol seen on nuclear fallout shelters. Chants of "Down with the USA!" and "Nuclear energy is our right!" frequently interrupted the speech.

Washington and Tehran said Sunday that the two countries would hold talks in Baghdad about Iraq's security situation. But Iran remains locked in a standoff with the U.S. and its allies over White House allegations that Tehran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies the claims, saying its program is for generating electricity.

The Iranian president received a red-carpet welcome at Abu Dhabi International Airport, where he was greeted by Emirates President Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dubai leader Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the country's prime minister.

During his two-day visit, Ahmadinejad is to meet with government leaders in Abu Dhabi as well as Dubai, one of the world's fastest-growing cities and home to most of the 500,000-strong Iranian expatriate community.
The question that occurs to me is what is the true makeup of that expatriate community? They could arguably be predicted to contain mostly wealthier element refugees escaping the Islamist revolution, or conversely poorer economic refugees. Iran's 'secret service' [whatever they may call theirs] surely spends a great deal of effort infiltrating and influencing that population.

If I were Nerve I'd be getting a handle on this.




 
159nerveclinic
      ID: 504531413
      Mon, May 14, 2007, 15:43

This rally took place literally directly across the street from my apartment.

It is less then 50 yards away. I could hear the cheers but didn't know what it was.

There couldn't have been too many people...it's a small soccer "stadium" it's closer to a high school football bleacher set-up made of cement.

The pool on roof of our apartment building was closed and made off limits by Dubai police. Obviously worried about snipers. The apartment guards looked nervous when I asked what was up and they wouldn't tell me. Played dumb.

I'm not at all concerned. You have to be here to understand. In the last 6 months I haven't had anyone look at me even slightly cross eyed when I say I am an American.

Please note the article states most of the crowd was Iranians.

I was in a government office today waving my passport around giving them a hard time because they won't take my $1,500 internet deposit by credit card, they want cash.

They looked sheepish that it was the rule. Three separate government officials all knew I was American and they were pretty apologetic about the deposit issue. I had some fun with them.

The first time I went in there I was actually nervous. Ha! Now I walked right up to the supervisor while she was with another customer and asked her why the internet company in the free zone (Corporate owned) doesn't require a deposit but you do? I told her it's because she works for the government. I know, ugly American again but if you had to deal with some of the crap I've had to deal with.... Funny they all agreed with me, one of them told me to go talk to the supervisor to see if I could change her mind and he encouraged me to do it even though she was with a customer.

It was obvious to me none of them were bothered by my nationality.

The rally is a pretty logical reaction to what America has done in the region...hello.

If it was a rally in America there would have been over turned cars and tear gas.

They hate Bush and Cheney, not America or Americans. They love Bill Clinton, which may be why Hillary wins this next election. A lot of the world feels that way about Bill.

If the US actually invades Iran...then I might get a little more concerned, probably more about nuclear fall out then anything.

Baldwin you may want to get a handle on it, it will probably be more dangerous in US cities if we invade Iran then here brother.

Until you come here...Ya really don't know. I feel safer here then San Francisco.





 
160Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Mon, May 14, 2007, 16:08 		Screw politics.....I want more fun curry-and-rice stories, eating monkey brains, or any other funny/awkward culture clash stories, nerve! ;-)
 
161Great One
      Sustainer
      ID: 053272014
      Mon, May 14, 2007, 16:11 		I want video of some these crazy drivers! Nerve, can you videotape a morning commute to work one day?! lol...
 
162Baldwin
      ID: 14358177
      Mon, May 14, 2007, 16:28 		"You have to be here to understand". - Nerve

Understand I in no way meant to imply I was imparting some knowlege of Dubai over and above your own.

That such a secular, west friendly country exists so close to Mecca and the home of Islamism blows my mind. There is some very strange disconnect going on that I haven't got close to the bottom of...either Islamism is far more unpopular in the muslim world than we are led to believe or there is something very very atypical at work in the power elite of that country and history that hasn't been explained anywhere I've seen.
 
163nerveclinic
      ID: 27051103
      Tue, May 15, 2007, 05:33
Species Screw politics.....I want more fun curry-and-rice stories, eating monkey brains, or any other funny/awkward culture clash stories, nerve! ;-)

And then Species there's the stories I can't even talk about here because it's a PG rated forum.

Great One I want video of some these crazy drivers! Nerve, can you videotape a morning commute to work one day?! lol...

Great One they are on You Tube. Try a search of something like Dubai Diving.

It's not as bad as when I first got here because what I didn't realize at the time is some of it was Ramadan related.

Everyone fasts all day (4AM to 6PM) not even water and then rushes to get home to eat with family by 6PM. They are dizzy and in a hurry. This goes on for a month.

Also it's not as crowded here since low season has started, it calms down when the heat starts up. The last few days have hit 110 degrees.

The driving is still bad though.

I was planning on starting a part 2 for this thread and updating some recent experiences. If I get the internet which is starting to look good, I will really get more info out.

I went back to the internet office today and spoke with the head manager. He was great. Very polite, soft spoken, anxious to help. As soon as I get a form signed by our local partner he is giving me the internet without any deposit. That's $1,500 I can hang on to and really the guy was more polite and professional then most American business people you deal with.



 
164Perm Dude
      ID: 2447187
      Fri, May 18, 2007, 08:50 		Drag racing in Dubai.

I'm not so sure if this is a good release for those drivers, or just going to get them geared up for their commutes...
 
165Pancho Villa
      ID: 42231410
      Wed, May 23, 2007, 00:04 		I hope nerve doesn't mind if I semi-hijack his thread, but I had an experience this evening that fits the thread title perfectly.

In my business, I deal mostly with new homeowners, most of them at least fairly upscale. Many of my customers are immigrants. Recently, I have done jobs for Mexicans, Chinese, Taiwanese, Laotians, Pakistanis, Ecuadorians, Argentines, Vietnamese, Columbians, Italians and Bosnians.

This evening I had an appointment with a man named Peter, who, on the phone, had a heavy accent. I arrived at his home a few minutes before he did, and his wife met me at the door. I introduced myself, she apologized for knowing little English and introduced herself as Ludmila.
I asked if she was from Russia.

Yes.

Where in Russia?

Uzbekistan.

Tashkent?

No, south of Tashkent.

Her husband came home and his English was very good, though heavily accented. His sister-in-law arrived. They had lots of questions for me, which was followed by conversations between them in their native tongue. When I was finished there, would I like to follow the sister-in-law to her new house and give her a bid?

Of course. Then I asked if they were speaking Uzbek.

No, Russian.

These folks, mid-40s, had grown up in Uzbekistan when it was part of the USSR. They still consider it Russia, and say things were better when it was Russia. The Muslims are now in control.
I have no idea what kind of business these folks are in, but they spent a total of $13,000 between the two houses on plantation shutters. Moving to the other side of the planet seems to have been quite rewarding for them, as well as most of my immigrant customers.
 
166Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Wed, Jun 20, 2007, 13:14 		You like Disneyland? How about Dubailand!!
 
167nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Wed, Jun 20, 2007, 15:54
Per species post.

It's hard to imagine what's taking place here right now.

It's not all fun and magic but I will tell you I have no desire to leave.

Let me be more clear...right now I don't want to leave. (The paycheck helps)

There's something special happening here. I'm watching an experiment.

I'm watching a country change so dramatically it's like being there for a revolution. It's a cultural change for a whole region.

It's the link between East and West.

It's the Middle East evolving.

It's fascinating to watch.

By the way it's midnight and still 97 degrees.



 
168 AK
      ID: 4912013
      Sat, Oct 20, 2007, 15:02 		No Updates?
 
169nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sat, Oct 20, 2007, 15:08
Hi AK

No I haven't updated in a while. Things that seemed different to me no seem mundane and ordinary so I've been less inclined to comment.

Since you asked though I will add a quick update but I will do it in the new thread here...

Moving part 2