Here are some truths about living in the UAE:
The UAE is an amazing country. With beautiful beaches, huge malls, luxury hotels and excellent job opportunities, it’s one of the best places to live in the world.
However, like with most of the world’s great countries, the place certainly has its quirks. Here are a few things that might seem strange to visitors, but are merely facts of life for UAE residents:
20 Things Only People Living In The UAE Will Understand
From 50-degree heat to the famous Friday brunch, here are a few things that only people who live in the UAE will understand.
1. VVVIP is a thing
Think your VIP concert tickets are the best in the house? Not by a long way. In fact, there’s often a ‘Platinum’ or ‘Diamond’ level of ticket on offer that’ll include all manner of extra goodies – for an eye-watering price, of course.
I recently went to a Lionel Richie concert here at an outdoor venue. There was a "VVIP" section with white plush chairs and servers....not a better view but just service....service is big here!
2. You can never have too many rooftop bars
Because why would you bother drinking at ground level when you could be 124 floors up?
First thing you hear about the UAE is that it is a "dry" country. Yet there are bars everywhere and liquor stores are not hard to find. In fact, the best ones are behind hotels like the Hilton. Or go to Spinneys, a store here and get what you need. Liquor is very cheap too! Technically, you are supposed to get a liquor license to be in possession of liquor but very few people have gotten one.
3. Being half an hour late is considered early
There’s a rather more relaxed attitude to punctuality here than in most places.
This is the place for you to come if you are habitually late! Getting teachers (Arabic) to come to work on time is difficult- as well as trying to start a meeting on time.
4. Brunch is not simply a meal between breakfast and lunch
Expecting poached eggs on toast and a glass of orange juice? Try a lavish all-you-can-eat-and-drink meal followed by a crazy party through the night.
Eating well is a fine art here. Not only is it very inexpensive to eat (5 course 5 star meals will run you around 125 AED, about $34 USD!) but a lot of places include wine in that price. The only thing that is hard to find here? Traditional American breakfast. There is one IHOP in Dubai. Some people go there (an hour drive) just to have a good breakfast.
5. Getting a taxi at 12.30pm on a Friday is nigh-on impossible
Why? Because everyone’s using them to get to brunch!
Are you a night owl? Vampire? This is the place for you! Most Emerati dont even get out of the house til after 1-2 pm. Want the mall to yourself? Go early, and go on a Friday (their holy day). But if you go to Carrefour or LuLu's on a Thursday or Saturday afternoon....not wise! Will be packed! I made that mistake once, couldnt even find a shopping cart to use! Speaking of shopping carts- they are chained together. You have to put a dirham (coin) in a slot to get it released. You do get your coin back when you turn in the cart. Not sure of the point there...
6. The summer heat is extreme
If the wind doesn’t feel like a hairdryer and your sunglasses don’t steam up as soon as you step outside, it can’t be a UAE summer.
Lived in Arizona? Hated the heat there? You haven't felt heat! Try getting into your car and having to put on gloves to be able to touch the steering wheel!
7. The hot and cold taps swap places in summer
It can get so hot during the summer months that the only cold water you can get is what’s been stored in the hot water tank.
Cold water? Who has cold water?? Only cold water you will find is in your fridge!
8. During Ramadan, being on the roads before iftar is not advised
To be fair, the drivers causing the chaos haven’t had anything to eat or drink all day, so we can see why they’re in a rush to get home.
During Ramadan, they fast from 4 am-7 pm. Then Iftar is served. My wonderful landlord who lives next door would send me food each night (I had to learn to leave my gate open~I normally lock it at dark. No I am not afraid, just dont want anyone in my courtyard after dark. Sometimes kids will ride into your courtyard which is all paved). They eat and visit til 4 am then it starts all over again. This lasts about a month. It is hard being here during Ramadan as you are not allowed to eat or drink in public. You will be out and get hungry/thirsty and realize you have to get home! Restaurants cant be open during Ramadan hours so we are forced to fast ourselves or stay at home!
9. Shawarma is the best post-night-out snack
Some countries like pizza, others prefer a portion of fish and chips; in the UAE, shawarma is the ONLY way to go.
Shawarma! I am addicted to it! I even ordered chicken shawarma pizza today from Pizza Hut!
10. All the explicit bits in films are cut out
Do not bother watching The Wolf of Wall Street in the UAE – it’s about 45 minutes shorter than the original and the plot is absolutely impossible to follow.
11. You know the route better than your taxi driver
It’s quite possible he only arrived in the country that morning, so you’d better know where you’re going.
This is too true! When I was still living at the Ibis Hotel in Abu Dhabi, I got a new driver unfortunately! I knew he was new to the area but thought he would be ok- til he missed the turn to the hotel. Since there are few stop lights, and only roundabouts here, if you miss a turn, you could go miles before being able to turn around. He wouldnt listen to me and I ended up on a ride that lasted one and a half hours when it should have been 20 minutes tops!
12. The roads change daily
With constant building works in operation, you could leave your house for work in the morning, and by evening the road you came to work on might well be closed.
Recently I came home to find the turn in to my street blocked...No warning that morning! I had to go down a mile then backtrack!
13. There’s no tax
Yep, that’s right, we pay zero tax!
14. But we almost make up for it in ‘fees’
Seriously, what on earth is a ‘housing fee’ if not a tax?
Yes, they get us tourists. 10% "service"charge, 16% tourist tax...it adds up!
15. You can easily spend a whole day in the mall
Breakfast, shopping, ice skating, lunch, aquarium, cinema, dinner, drinks. Whole day gone.
A day? How about a week!! The smallest malls here would dwarf the largest in the US! I have not been to the mall pictured above, Dubai Mall, but I have been to several. Mushrif Mall, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, and World Trade Center Mall (WTC)- all in Abu Dhabi. Huge 4 floors, wings that go forever! I dont think I have walked halfway through any of them! My favorite? WTC by far! It has wooden accents and a 2 story souk below it that has the best stuff!
16. Getting things delivered is never straightforward
Since there’s no proper address system, everything is done by landmarks, so you often have to describe your location to some poor delivery guy by describing how far it is from the nearest abstract point of reference.
This is no joke! Today, when I needed Pizza Hut to deliver I told them I am next to the NEW Zakher Police Station roundabout..I have also told them I am down the road from Zakher Kindergarten school. Getting a package delivered here is not easy. If you have a post office box (which are hard to get) then you put your phone number on it and the post office will call and tell you that you have a package if it wont fit in your box. If not PO box, then you can use "Shop and Ship" or some service like that, but it isnt cheap. Most ex-pats bring things back with them after going home for a visit.
17. When a car flashes its lights, it doesn’t mean what you think
In some cultures it’s a signal that you’re free to pull out, here it’s a warning to get out of the way or prepare to be shunted!
You have to keep an eye on your rearview mirror at all times! And NEVER drive in the left lane for long! If they want to go around you and dont have a clear lane- they will fly by on the left in the emergency lane! Flashing lights means "get out of my way!" I actually had a truck bump me one day because I did not get out of his way fast enough!
18. You need copies of your passport and visa to get anything done
Want to rent an apartment? Set up TV and internet? Get a phone contract? You’d better have your documents on you.
Forget sharing data! Even within the same company or even the same department! If you have to go see a different person that who you started with- you will have to give the new person another set of documents! They dont share!
19. Miss a turn off in Dubai and you might end up in Abu Dhabi
One missed exit is all it takes to add an hour onto your journey.
A GPS is a must have over here! But I will say that I have learned my way around much better since mine got stolen out of my luggage.
20. Some kids have maids, drivers and chefs
Because hiring people to look after your children is cheaper than taking time off work and doing it yourself.
Don't even get me started! Children here are rarely told "No," or that they have to do anything. They have nannies that pick up after them, carry their bags and things for them. Moms here will not do anything that makes "baby cry." Seeing a 3-4 year old tell mom "No," or refuse to do what she askes is shocking. The mom will stand there and tell you that "baby doesnt want to do it." If they get through with a water bottle or have trash, it goes on the floor for the nanny to pick up...
Dont think the UAE is a horrible place. It has its quirks, but it is a warm welcoming place most of the time! Most of the Emerati want to share with you and show off the good in the UAE. They will treat you well. There is a lot to see and do! Come on over!
