Dubai Issues New Rule For Expatriate Behaviour

[george]

Not directly Thailand related, but interesting...

Dubai issues new rule for expatriate behaviour

The latest message for western visitors to Dubai from the authorities is that a chaste peck on the check is probably acceptable, but a passionate embrace in public is not.

In the country’s latest attempt to bring the public behaviour of western tourists in line with Middle East sensibilities, Dubai has released new guidelines through the local media. It is not yet clear whether the suggestions will become law.

The flashy Gulf city promotes itself as a destination where the Middle East meets the wilder West. Its new guidelines address a range of issues from wearing miniskirts to showing anger, and could in fact offer police more leeway in fining or arresting “offenders” on beaches and at malls.

What the “suggestions” reveal is the schizophrenic nature of Dubai, which has an international allure that attracts westerners, yet is governed by rulers who are traditional and conservative.

“Dubai has been walking a fine line by being all things to all people,” commented Valerie Grove, an art and culture blogger who is based in neighbouring Sharjah. “Concerns over Dubai’s image are split between its Western-style economy that includes tourism, and regional norms of conservative culture.”

If the guidelines are approved and enforced, this move could be seen as another strike against Dubai’s image as an easygoing and tolerant oasis in a region characterized by a lack of tolerance.

-- dubaitourism.ae 2009-03-17

[pampal]

Boycott Dubai

[PhilHarries]

Dunno, substitute "Thailand" for "Dubai" and what do you have but a future item for the News Clippings forum.

[Zpete]

Dubai rulers gunna sink the city in quicksand.

Nobody gunna wanna go there.

Wot's there anyway?

Flash buildings, NO history, no nuffin else of interest.

Thailand has heaps to see and do, don't knock, LoS.

Edited March 29, 2009 by Zpete

[mahtin]

Dubai is a very good reason to fly non-stop.

[neverdie]

Dubai rulers gunna sink the city in quicksand.

Nobody gunna wanna go there.

Wot's there anyway?

Flash buildings, NO history, no nuffin else of interest.

Thailand has heaps to see and do, don't knock, LoS.

Very Nieve to say there is 'no history' there. Are you sure? Have you ever been to Dubai? Do you know where Dubai is?

[StreetCowboy]

Dubai rulers gunna sink the city in quicksand.

Nobody gunna wanna go there.

Wot's there anyway?

Flash buildings, NO history, no nuffin else of interest.

Thailand has heaps to see and do, don't knock, LoS.

Pretentions to poor education don't give you credibility.

For your information, Dubai is an entre-pot comparable to Hong Kong or Singapore, and there is plenty to see and do there; I enjoyed myself immensely, but guidelines like those mentioned will help tourists who don't have time to understand the cultural situation. And hopefully help reduce embaressment for some of the pakistani taxi drivers, for example.

Of more relevance to you, perhaps, Dubai has a lot of schools that teach English....

SC

[suiging]

The old " starting a sentence with a conjunction " trap.

[zaza]

Boycott Dubai

I'd say it is better to nuke em

[Lost in LOS]

they are like the government here, no clue about foreigners. put rules against foreigners wishes and then scratch their heads when the tourists don't show. their country and they can do what they want, sure, just don't be surprised when tourism is way down

[skippybangkok]

If you wanna live by your western rules - stay in the West ! Simple.

Every country has its values, which should be respected whilst visiting.

Can just imagine a main land Chinese insisting on killing dogs and eating them in down town Melbourne "cause we do it at home"

Get real !

Edited April 3, 2009 by skippybangkok

[Lost in LOS]

If you wanna live by your western rules - stay in the West ! Simple.

Every country has its values, which should be respected whilst visiting.

Can just imagine a main land Chinese insisting on killing dogs and eating them in down town Melbourne "cause we do it at home"

Get real !

then dont invite western tourists and they dont need to conform

[skippybangkok]

If you wanna live by your western rules - stay in the West ! Simple.

Every country has its values, which should be respected whilst visiting.

Can just imagine a main land Chinese insisting on killing dogs and eating them in down town Melbourne "cause we do it at home"

Get real !

then dont invite western tourists and they dont need to conform