Fake Dubai

It can be sometimes...but there are real people out there.

clarebugden wrote:

Am I the only person that thinks Dubai is pretentiuos, fake and phony. From people's smiles to their fake drunked lifestyles, to the malls with every type of fake plastic bling you could imagine.
Tell me I am not the only crazy person in Dubai who is not enjoying my experience.

You are not alone. I lived there when it was prime time back in 2007-2008 and everything was so fast and changing that I failed to cope with it. Dubai is one unique example in the middle east where its rulers have sold its original soul to the world ignoring the wishes of locals. My local friends told me several times that they never wanted dubai to be what it has become now..
It has a dark side, which is Adult Disney Land and its horrible...
There are many many stories of girls being smuggled into dubai and being put to escort business by force and eventually they will accept it as there is no way out.
People smile at you but they all have bad memories and are buried with in debts and hardly able to keep the status quo, forget about savings at all.
Expats are living for many years yet are not able to save much and it is a vicious cycle from which they cant get out..
Oh yes the property crises has worsen in the past few years, people lost billions, look at all those incomplete projects in dubai land, sports city, silicon oasis, etc. and most likely will remain so for many years to come.

In a nut shell, most of what you see is fake (trees, contracts, islands, even smiles).

I think what is not fake is you :-) chill out and try to make the best of your stay here and if you cant take it any more, you can always go back to the wonderful world that you left behind ;-)

cheers

clarebugden wrote:

Am I the only person that thinks Dubai is pretentiuos, fake and phony. From people's smiles to their fake drunked lifestyles, to the malls with every type of fake plastic bling you could imagine.
Tell me I am not the only crazy person in Dubai who is not enjoying my experience.

It is at times.. it looks like you speak from bad experiences… try and stay positive and you will start to meet the right people. I have met some amazing people I can call real friends out here, 90% from social networking sites like this one.. xx

I agree with clarebugden...i feel everyone around is only looking to make a fast buck... everyone is so suspicious...everyone is looking for accomodation everyday...If i meet a girl , she thinks i m hitting on her.. ,and they surely scan me to evaluate my net worth.. and no one has time for you if you are not of much use to them.
   I have never felt so lonely before... in a city of 5 million.

well i think dubai has what we r looking for so if u r looking for not fake things u will fiend it trust me.

Thanks for your responses.

Basma97, I agree with you that you can find alot of non fake things. But in essence what I am trying to say is that the soul of Dubai is completely laking in soul substance. Dubai is trying to be the outside face of beauty within the inside is rotten to the core.
That is really what is on my heart to share.

AZFAR I think you and I are perceiving the very same thing. There is no such thing as giving a pleasant smile to somebody because you feel like smiling at somebody. This is misconstrued.

Why we cannot find the authentic selves where all that matters in the soul of a human being, not what you look like.

May you both find happiness and peace.

Regards,
Clare

I agree with that statement of yours Clare and I was honestly glad you used the word "Plastic" because, since the second week of my "return" to UAE, I have been telling the people I meet... "I feel suffocated in this plastic bubble".
During my younger years, I used to think, a night in Dubai was all I would ever need. Then a few travels to "real" societies in a few countries abroad, India, Italy, Spain...etc., I realized one thing... life in UAE was one of a constructm, part of  plan. 

There is always a "you can look but don't touch..." tag to things and its just follows wherever you go. The paths are few and the ones beyond are under the sands.

I miss the days I used to have "inexpensive" fun with friends in places like Turin. Here, unless you belong to the super-elite you just don't exist. And here, I agree with you AFZAR.

And then, the discrimination. Its overwhelming, the difference in treatment determined by the echelons of wealth and ethnicity.

I honestly do hope I am wrong and that there is always a second side to the coin...so...I'll wait and see.

Cheers!

ceara wrote:

It can be sometimes...but there are real people out there.

true

billcfc wrote:

ceara wrote:

It can be sometimes...but there are real people out there.

true

don't know if its because its AL Ain... but I haven't met anyone so...

I will have to disagree with many in here, however I respect all opinions given above.

Whoever is complaining about Dubai, should have done his/her research properly before engaging on a such big change of life. If you are not happy, no one is forcing you to stay.. you may get a ban for a year or 6 months if you break your work contract, but if your happiness comes first this is a small price to pay.

I'm 40 years-old and have lived in all continents of the globe - but Oceania.

Nothing is black and white guys... what is fake for you, for others means an achievement of a dream. I found the UAE to be like love it or hate it... there's no right or wrong on this statement, we are all different and if you ask me I think that this this country is magnificent. In spite of you guys might think I talked to many different people from several parts of the world, rich and poor and most of them are grateful to be given the opportunity to embrace the UAE culture, and believe me.. most of those poor people were given a second life being in here.

Problems are everywhere and in all countries in the world, and I know the UAE is no different. You have to ask yourself what makes you happy, what triggers happiness in you.. for myself the UAE has got an edge towards the other countries, it fits my persona and lifestyle.

In my experience I absolute love this place, think that the locals are great (talked to many throughout the years) and hope that Dubai can progress even further.

Before anyone asks, I have been coming in here for weeks every year since 2000 but only now I decided to make it home, not just being in here.

Again, this is my solo opinion

Thanks Maluco for your comments,
Yes we all have our opinions and that is what makes it an interesting life!
Enjoy your time in Dubai.

In many ways, opinions regarding this subject can be debated both ways.
However, please keep in mind that Dubai is a relatively new city and cannot be compared with Paris or London or New York or Istanbul in terms of history and heritage.
@clarebugden: when you use the term "fake", if you mean the people... well Dubai is 85% expats. The composition of these expats is very dynamic because some return home while others replace them. Unlike other cities where you have a majority of local population that gives a flavor to the city. Even in cases where the city itself is cosmopolitan like New York, you still know what to expect. I have been in this wonderful city for 10 years and have met people from all walks of life in networking events. Individuals can never be fake... everyone has his story to tell. But the expat community might have different flavors depending on where you hang out. I have been lucky to mingle with Emiratis and taste their amazing and hospitality - and that is certainly not fake as it comes from the heart.
If you mean the city architecture is fake... well yes and no. Yes, there is little history and heritage as 90% of today's landscape was sand 10 years ago and is inhabited by new expats. Such fast-paced development can be seen as a fake shell since there is no sense of community yet.
No, because when you go and mingle with the people - they are real

Anyway that's my two cents worth...

in this world where ever you go you will find such peoples, and unfortunately Dubai got more but there is lots of goodhearted people in Dubai.

I lived in Dubai for 4 years, at the beginning I thought I found my eldorado ....then I just realised as time passes by so quickly that I lost a lot of my soul there ....it's just superficial ...I managed though to cope with for the needed time than I moved to Cairo ( thanks God) that I love and cherish because simply ppl here are so real and the country has defenitely a soul...and a BEAUTIFUL SOUL !

There's good and bad everywhere. Until we don't make the change in our own inner world there will bo no change outside in the superficial one.

Hi Fazilam,
I do agree with you completely.
We need to make the change.

I have lived in several countries around the world and my statement is based on experience and real life experience in Dubai.

So hopefully when you come to live in Dubai one day we can meet up and I will value your opinion on this city.

Clare

Hi Teacher13,

Yes I think Dubai has lost its soul!
Well said.

Clare

I have to agree with Maluco - the things I love about Dubai:
- multicultural - I've met so many lovely people from all kinds of backgrounds and nationalities, many of whom I regard as friends
- weather - I'm an outdoors sort of person and the weather has infinitely increased my options away from work
- food - relatively inexpensive, good quality and very diverse
- standard of living - I stay in a reasonable sized apartment which is a 10 minute drive from DIFC.  I can't think of many other cities I could ever do this
- salary - even without the tax-free element, I'm able to save more than I used to earn in my previous life. 
- social life - I find most expats very social and generally keen to get out and do things....possibly more so than home as people don't generally have the established networks and, I find, make more of an effort.
- location - coming from UK, I would never have the opportunity to do the sort of travel I've enjoyed since being here (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Hong Kong, India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Oman, Jordan, Beirut, Turkey, Egypt)
- shopping - I probably don't need to elaborate.

I'm of the view that if someone is unhappy with being here, nobody is forcing them to stay.  So I'm a little confused as to this chain!

Jen

I agree with JEN,, you have avenues here to have a leisure time,, its just you need to have sometime for yourself and think what make you happy,,
Also i feel, its the people who makes the Place lively or soulful ,, and tat has nothing to do with place,climate or geography.

KR
Robin

I'm new here! I came a month ago and I agree with Clare..
I'm from Paris and I spent 1 year and half in Africa before moving in Dubai.. So it's a little shock to live here..

At the same time, I think that good people are everywhere.. It's just a little bit more difficult to find them in this big city.. That's it! Let's be optimistic!

you will be happy when you had developed your own personal lifestyle...

interesting topic, everyone notice the bad one's first

Let's face it, we're all in the UAE to make money. To that extent Dubai and the rest of the sorry Emirates are about as genuine as Pammy's boobs.

Sandman are you male/female or 50-50?

Sandman6 wrote:

Let's face it, we're all in the UAE to make money. To that extent Dubai and the rest of the sorry Emirates are about as genuine as Pammy's boobs.

teacher13 wrote:

I lived in Dubai for 4 years, at the beginning I thought I found my eldorado ....then I just realised as time passes by so quickly that I lost a lot of my soul there ....it's just superficial ...I managed though to cope with for the needed time than I moved to Cairo ( thanks God) that I love and cherish because simply ppl here are so real and the country has defenitely a soul...and a BEAUTIFUL SOUL !

Hi all, am a newbie and looking forward to reading your threads and hopefully contributing from time to time.

The above post made me smile as I spent time living in Cairo and hated it - found it so oppressive and claustrophobic.  Was so relieved to escape and find my niche in Dubai!!!

Just a sobering point as to how we are all different and what suits one person doesn't necessarily suit another......

Hi petrolhead!

Welcome to Expat.com

Armand

Thanks Armand

i don't think dubai is fake, for that matter any consmopolital city has got its gud and bad things.

Hey vaheeda,, you are correct ,, but the city needs people
to really make it alive,, and dubai has people like you and me and other in the forum to make the fake into reality.

TRUE STORY !

iam doing my business here for the 6 years...and iam into telecom...when my business in full boom earning good money ..i feel therz no place on earth like dubai..its rocking...but when bad days low income then its shocking..ha ha ha..i think its all abt ur inner feeling ..i was in london..but somehow i dont like small houses, small hearts there...but weather was gr8 there..actully it deoends ..few plus points of dubai..global market is here..u can find good business opportunities
here...global hub u can say.. stay happy guys :-)

Absolutely all fake and greedy traps all around. Ask me, I have born and raised here. My father has entered UAE when it was under British rule..till todate we are not having any rights and benefits..We being second generation believes that my father had made biggest mistake to enter and selected this country to raise his children. My father who is dying in hospital without any insurances and health benefits and we do not have any future in UAE..All are dark even after spending 46 years here we are facing hell of problems related to basic needs like education, accommodation, visas, health insurance etc..
I advice to the whole world think 10 times before basing their career and future in this country.
Sorry if my comments had  anyone, it is reality and we are living with.
Simi

Dear Clarebugden,

I do agree with you. From my first day in Dubai (in 2008) I noticed Dubai is plastic and the sad part is even some people that consider being your "friends" are plastic. However I have met some of the most amazing people in this world and I have seen some amazing things.
I have to say, Dubai has the most beautiful sunset and when we go to RAK or just drive around, all i want to do is go sit in the clean desert. I almost feel home in the desert.
The one ting that is missing in Dubai, matter of fact the whole of UAE is some that keeps us grounded. back hoe we have nature, real trees and animals that connects us with the earth and here in Dubai the trick is do get or do something that grounds you. Weather it be an animal or have a few plants in your home and when the weather allows it, open your windows and let the sun shine in.

I love Dubai and I am very happy here and I am probably one of the few people that likes Dubai summers, .
Yes there is a lot of negative things but dont surround you with it, life is to short.

Have a blessed 2014 for all of you.......

Sometimes it can be... but it is better to say "people are fake" at that time..!!