Question about Dubai?

[bluesoul]

He thinks I should go. He said I'll be fine. But I'm worried. Honestly, more than anything I'd just be scared I'd break a law without even knowing or thinking about it and end up in jail. Lol. Also, I just don't want to cause problems for him.

have you told him all this? let him know your concerns then ask him how he knows you'll be fine.

also, note that the news stories anyone gives you are extreme cases. people have been traveling to dubai for years with no problems (many foreign gg's work there as prostitutes). however, there is truth to middle eastern countries being unfavorable to "alternative lifestyles".

i think a major question here would be whether it would be worth the trip. what does this bf mean to you? i think you should talk to him about it and also do a little research on your own. the more you know, the better

[Prospero]

I agree with bluesoul. For further info on what CAN happen you should read the blog of Asian Phoenix... Tia... who was imprisoned and raped in Dubai while working as a TS escort. I have personally seen a TS being beaten by the police where.

In both cases these girl were escorts which I know you are not.

But it is important to know what you are doing.....

[runningdownthatdream]

I agree with bluesoul. For further info on what CAN happen you should read the blog of Asian Phoenix... Tia... who was imprisoned and raped in Dubai while working as a TS escort. I have personally seen a TS being beaten by the police where.

In both cases these girl were escorts which I know you are not.

But it is important to know what you are doing.....

I think your affection for Arabic culture is influencing your advice. Let's be brutally honest here - it is a well-documented fact that women are repressed and marginalized in Arabic and Muslim countries. Dubai is both Arabic and Muslim. It's also well-documented that Western women are viewed in an even LESS favourable light than the aforementioned native women who are repressed and marginalized. One doesn't need to read only Western media to see the ignorant and frankly reprehensible treatment of women, LGT, non-Arabs, and non-muslims by Arabic Muslims all over the middle-east.

Frankly, a Western woman, unmarried, and non-Muslim would be taking major risks visiting any Arabic Muslim country without knowing a good deal about the culture and laws governing women even down to the local customs.

[Prospero]

I do not have an especial affection for arabic culture. (But a deep and professional interest in it and in Islam which is different. I am about to embark on a major trip to that region - including war zones - to make a series of documentary films) I have worked out there widely for nearly a decade. I fully realise the shortcomings of Muslim attitudes to women and i have spent a lot of time in Dubai with the community there - working with westerners and arabs. I mentioned the risks that transexuals especially face there. I do not know Maddy and do not know how passable she is ... a crucial concern in a place like Dubai. (If she is NOT passable then I would counsel against visiting) Of course attitudes are bad.... especially in Gulf states. Should we boycott places where women are discriminated against. That is an argument of course. But i re-iterate there are many hundreds, if not thousands, of women from the west who live and work there every day and socialize who enjoy perfectly safe lives (providing they observe the local rules. You do not party in public. You do not sexually misbehave in public at all.) My cousin for instance, a mixed race girl from the Uk (part white enlgish part afro caribbean) has lived and worked in Dubai for some years. First as a single woman and later marrying an englishman who met there. She has not had issues out there. Ever.

There is a lot of exaggeration in the reportage of what goes on in these places.

But yes Maddy should indeed be very careful. She will be moving in Emirati circles rather than expat ones by the sounds of things so that in itself places her outside the protective circle of the western community.

[bluesoul]

One doesn't need to read only Western media to see the ignorant and frankly reprehensible treatment of women, LGT, non-Arabs, and non-muslims by Arabic Muslims all over the middle-east.

yes, the western media. but have you read the middle eastern media to "see" how they view women?

also, i disagree about your claim that western women are viewed in a lesser light than their arab counterparts. in fact, westerners living in dubai earn a bigger salary than arabs. and most sheikh's who like to indulge in a little hedonism prefer western women (particularly blondes) for their entertainment.

coincidentally, so do i. fancy that!

[runningdownthatdream]

yes, the western media. but have you read the middle eastern media to "see" how they view women?

also, i disagree about your claim that western women are viewed in a lesser light than their arab counterparts. in fact, westerners living in dubai earn a bigger salary than arabs. and most sheikh's who like to indulge in a little hedonism prefer western women (particularly blondes) for their entertainment.

coincidentally, so do i. fancy that!

Uhhhh....read what I wrote again. I said you don't have to read ONLY Western media. If you read regional news - as I do - you'd learn that the Western media actually misses a lot more negative shit about women over there.

As far as you other comment - let me ask you this: do you know any muslims? have you ever visited a muslim country? have you read Arabic or muslim history?

What I've written previously is based on knowledge of Arabic and Muslim culture, of my own experiences, and from experiences of others related to me. Where are you drawing your advice/conclusions from?

[bluesoul]

Uhhhh....read what I wrote again. I said you don't have to read ONLY Western media. If you read regional news - as I do - you'd learn that the Western media actually misses a lot more negative shit about women over there.

As far as you other comment - let me ask you this: do you know any muslims? have you ever visited a muslim country? have you read Arabic or muslim history?

What I've written previously is based on knowledge of Arabic and Muslim culture, of my own experiences, and from experiences of others related to me. Where are you drawing your advice/conclusions from?

so, by this statement: "you don't have to read ONLY Western media" you actually meant middle eastern media as well? most americans, when they read this only consider the major north american news networks and maybe the british ones.

as far as do i know muslims. yep. actually grew up amongst some. visited the u.a.e. twice (once with my sister who is unmarried) as well as kuwait and saudia arabia (not with my sis on the last two).

i've not read arabic or muslim history. i'll admit ignorance on both those topics. perhaps the magnitude of my knowledge on both (or one of) is that i know all muslims must at least once go to mecca. and that muhammad is the prophet and allah is god. beyond that, i'm as blind as a bat.

i also know most middle eastern countries are hostile towards gays and transsexuals and some still practice marrying children to old men. and then there is the other side: the middle east is actually really beautiful, the women are extremely attractive, the land is wealthy etc.

you can't just concentrate on one thing and say "yeah, the middle east is a fucked up destination". i bought some pretty sweet gold stuff @ the gold souk in downtown dubai when i was there. i definitely came out winning-

oh and i'll tell you a really nice story about a party i attended in kuwait. it (the party) was amazing.

[LilyRox]

I think you would regret going there.

[bluesoul]

i disagree with lilyrox. this is your chance to meet the pink panther gang, and get their autograph (tell them i sent you):

[templeton_uk]

I think your affection for Arabic culture is influencing your advice. Let's be brutally honest here - it is a well-documented fact that women are repressed and marginalized in Arabic and Muslim countries

Have you actually been to Dubai... Saudi Arabia it aint.

I've been to Dubai many times, I have don't have 'affection' for Arabic Culture, but Dubai is about as far removed from 'Arabic' culture as you can get without leaving the Middle East.

I have more fun there than I do in London... just don't be a dick and you don't get in trouble.

Would I go to Saudi Arabia. Hell no.