Random Dubai

I can't think of another way to say it, but just wanted to write a little about ... just Random things in Dubai! Just to give a little preview of life here:

• The more I'm here, the more I feel I'm becoming.... how should I say? Un-politically correct? People can be quite racist and discriminatory... and it can rub on you when everyone is like that.  I think even after 6 months, I've become a lot more cynical than I have ever been. 
• BIG ideas, little follow-through. People have BIG ideas (lots of over-promising) BUT.. .little follow through. If you can imagine how simple things are fairly complicated, you can only imagine how BIG things might be! :-) Especially with the ever-changing logistics here, and of course there is an element of laziness (sorry to say, mostly from the local population, if they are involved).
• Which, speaking of, if one wanted to open up their own business, good luck. The logistics and red tape here is changing daily. The other thing is that a local MUST own 51% of your business. Yes, you read that correctly. And no joke, they don't have to do ANYTHING! Just sign a few papers that they are co-owners, and you get plenty of pocket change!
• Medicine. So at home it's not abnormal to get different opinions, and generally you may go to 1-2 different docs, and it's more or less in the same ballpark - diagnosis, interventions, etc. Here... it honestly is night and day difference and people go up to 4-6-8 different docs. Some of it is going till they find someone that will tell them what they want to hear, others it's just "why not?" because insurance pays usually pays for it. 
• Speaking of, insurance is generally pretty good here and I do see abuse from patients where they come because they can and "why not?" and other times it's just really random of things they cover and things they don't. 
• Activities - here you REALLY can find everything. They have every sport/activity you can think of. Which is great of course, BUT it's the $$ of it all that makes the difference.
• Life here is... expensive. They say "no taxes" but they have different ways of throwing in charges and fees. Sometimes it can be quite ridiculous. Having said that, it is REALLY hard to save because it's easy to get succumbed to the "comfy" life here. 
• This may sound funny, because at home it would be a BIG deal, but here most complexes have pools and gyms. At home it's such a luxury, but here it is super common. Which actually has been good for my line of work because generally swimming is recommended for rehabilitation and is not a far-fetched request to ask for. 
• Superficial and fake. That is the way many people describe Dubai. I can see why. Aesthetic wise, very much so, people wise - not so bad. Yes, there are people who of course will do anything in their power to show off, but it's not that bad. 
• Clean and neat - that's Dubai. When I went to Ras al Kheimah a couple of weekends ago, I literally almost exclaimed out loud that there were potholes. Potholes! In Dubai I have yet to see one! Ha! 
• Gas here... SUPER cheap (finally, something cheap!). I do have a small car, BUT to fill it all the way from empty is a whopping $20-$25. Yessssssss! 
• Dubai is fairly liberal.... at first I was fairly conservative, but now I walk around with tank-tops and shorts, and it's fine.
• I've mentioned it before, but it still take me by surprise how... comfy it is. You literally don't have to go anywhere, they have delivery for everything and also things like people to hand-wash your car when you park at the malls. It just goes on and on!
• The mean age here is 25-35, really, young, motivated, and ambitious people that have great work ethic. I feel at home (maybe I'm mistaken?) we work to live, here it is you live to work... people except loooong working hours and I rarely rarely hear complaining. 
• Having said the above, about the age group, believe it or not, there is a "party" scene here. Only thing is that it has to be affiliated with a hotel because that is the ONLY place you can serve alcohol, a hotel! Also, the only way you can buy alcohol is either at Duty Free at the airport when you arrive, or get an actual "Alcohol License" that you pay for and have a limit on how much you can buy a month. I find that pretty funny. And no, I am NOT part of that "party" crew and literally can count on one hand how many times I've had alcohol since I've been here! Gasp! 

Okay, those are my thoughts of the day. I'll try to write more as they come! :-) 

Top #25 Dubai Expat Lessons

Oops... it's actually 27, I realized I had some doubles, but eh, too much effort to go back and change them. :-) Soo... wanted to take this time to review the Life as an Expat Lessons that I started in my earlier blogs. I did this as a little reminder to myself and hopefully will give some tips to people coming to Dubai! After looking at it, I see I have some repeats, mostly to be patient! ha ha!

Top #25 Life as an Expat Lessons:

Lesson #1: Patience is your Friend

Lesson #2: Always, always be as polite as possible when dealing with locals here. I can't emphasize that enough. Whatever sounds the most cheesy and fluffy to you, that's how you communicate.

Lesson #3: Per other expats or people that have moved to new places: It takes 6 months to a year to get adjusted to your new life.

Lesson #4: If you want to show off, this is the place to do it.

Lesson #5: At all costs, network and make connections as much as you can. Here it can really get you places.

Lesson #6: Always make a good first impression.

Lesson #7: Arab nations are typical very disorganized, and Dubai is no exception. Be patient.

Lesson #7:  Take advantage of what's in front of you (i.e. me working in a medical hospital and getting free-bee consults and getting 'worked in' for medical needs like radiological imaging).
Lesson #8: If you can avoid it, NEVER have a local drive you! It is a death sentence waiting to happen. They are known to be horrible drivers.
Lesson #9: Any race, whatever distance, is pretty much referred to as a 'marathon' here.  Find out beforehand what the actual distance is (5K, 10K, actual marathon) if you plan on running a race!

Lesson #10: Things in Dubai are always changing, logistics, procedures, so always do your research!

Lesson #11: There is no such thing as "straightforward" here, if you need to get something done, expect to do it in about 5+ extra steps than what you are used to.
Lesson # 12: It's not what you know, it is WHO you know.

Lesson # 14: Be careful with overpromising. It is fairly common to that here... and nothing usually pans out. 

Lesson # 15: Dubai is all about Titles... and stamping. Pretty much everything has a VIP section so people can feel important, and pretty much every formal document has to have some kind of stamp on it.  They looooooooooooooove stamps. 

Lesson #16: Don't assume you will get information because you asked for it. You have to keep asking, otherwise you will NOT get any answers and whatever you asked for will not happen. 

Lesson #16: You cannot start a life in Dubai without your employment visa.

Lesson #17: Hardly anything in Dubai takes less than 3 tries.

Lesson #18: It is customary to tip for any service if you are a sheikh or uber rich local. 

Lesson #19: Take advantage of the central location to the world here in Dubai, and try and get out and see something new! 

Lesson # 20: DO NOT come to Dubai without a fair amount of money in your pocket! 

Lesson #21: One word: Downsize!

Lesson #22: It takes 6 months to a year to get used to living in a new environment.

Lesson #23: Once moving to Dubai, you have a VERY good possibility of getting the Dubai Stone - basically gaining 5-10 lbs. Ouch.

Lesson #24: Here in Dubai it is a bit of a workaholic atmosphere.... still try to ENJOY and take time for FUN!

Lesson #25: In a land of luxury, indulge!!! Take advantage of it and treat yourself every now and then!