Dear Dubai....I am divorcing you.....

'Boredom is an emotional state experienced during periods lacking activity or when individuals are uninterested in their surroundings' I don't think it can be described as a disease of the mind and soul of the sufferer aroha, everyone experiences a certain kind of boredom at some point in their live's. Dubai doesn't stimulate everyone enough to alleviate their individual boredom. My grandfather always says, only the boring are bored :)

'Boredom is an emotional state experienced during periods lacking activity or when individuals are uninterested in their surroundings' I don't think it can be described as a disease of the mind and soul of the sufferer aroha, everyone experiences a certain kind of boredom at some point in their live's. Dubai doesn't stimulate everyone enough to alleviate their individual boredom.

Great line Arohadxb!

So true aroha....:)

Dubai is devoid of intellectualism ! It's raison d'etre is to be an ego-massaging bourgeois paradise full of shopping and luxury. It's a machine designed almost exclusively for that single purpose by the state. It's a simulacra - an idealized, manufactured copy of something that never really existed - very Disneyesque. And workers don't even come into it really...they're considered capital and not human by the system, to be used and discarded as necessary. The only difference in how workers are treated is the level of transparency and care taken vis a vis the lifecycle of exploitability and expendability, which is of course dependent on class and race. IMO it's partially a product of the Conservative desire to maintain a stable, predictable, simplistic, patriarchial culture (the benign/benevolent monarchy in this case) as much as a total focus on economic interests...the desire for everything to run as smoothly as possible in much a way as to maximize profit without offending anyone. I'm always for dissection but you've got to know what you're dealing with and what you're getting into. For one the vast majority of people don't posess the intellectual skills to engage in high level sociopolitical/philosophical/political discourse - at best it would most likely be seen as threatening to the fragile bourgeois ego, which is intellectually unchallenged here. Pressed further, truly open intellectual discourse and self expression could well be seen as threatening to the dominant power structure here (government/culture) which is extremely sensitive to criticism. And in that case, action would likely be taken....if not by the authorities themselves then by the self censoring actors who depend on the system for survival. But anyone with intellectual portent coming here would most likely know all that up front. It's an interesting place to see interesting examples of various memes being played out in front of you however beyond that I wouldn't expect much in terms of actual culture, self expression, freedom of ideas, political discourse etc. This can be absolute purgatory for an educated individual, edited by our souls on 24/03/2011 This is to the last sentence my exact opinion of Dubai. I am also bored silly, it is a mental boredom which the bourgeousie don't understand ;) and last i heard, boredom was a disease in the mind and soul of the sufferer....

Waxmuch-Enjoy the spa! *jealous* ;) BC-need any help? Best of luck to you in your next adventure! Enjoy the new chapter! The only thing I need help on is offloading a Porsche, and Acadia, and a Prado before next week. Also need to get rid of a lot of potted plants.. :D Jeez, NYC when I offered to help you with your leaving arrangments you jumped down my throat. What makes it different when you do it?OH I GET IT> you don't like my tone. hmmmm Are you for real?[u'>[u'>[b'> I wished her best of luck and I was sincere, I wasn't being snide and rude like you. [/b'>[/u'>[/u'>I am sure deep down inside you know exactly what you did. If you are going to be mean, at least own up to it and don't back pedal when you get called out on it. I don't know why you have a personal problem with me, but I don't take it personal. It seems like you have a persona problem with a lot of posters. Thats all I have to say because you do a pretty good job of making yourself look bad on this forum. NYC you are right she does ....... Thanks Pepps, I knew it couldn't just be me! I don't understand where her anger comes from but I feel like she looks for an opportunity to say something hurtful for no reason to people she doesn't know.

Waxmuch-Enjoy the spa! *jealous* ;) BC-need any help? Best of luck to you in your next adventure! Enjoy the new chapter! The only thing I need help on is offloading a Porsche, and Acadia, and a Prado before next week. Also need to get rid of a lot of potted plants.. :D Jeez, NYC when I offered to help you with your leaving arrangments you jumped down my throat. What makes it different when you do it?OH I GET IT> you don't like my tone. hmmmm Are you for real?[u'>[u'>[b'> I wished her best of luck and I was sincere, I wasn't being snide and rude like you. [/b'>[/u'>[/u'>I am sure deep down inside you know exactly what you did. If you are going to be mean, at least own up to it and don't back pedal when you get called out on it. I don't know why you have a personal problem with me, but I don't take it personal. It seems like you have a persona problem with a lot of posters. Thats all I have to say because you do a pretty good job of making yourself look bad on this forum. NYC you are right she does .......

Waxmuch-Enjoy the spa! *jealous* ;) BC-need any help? Best of luck to you in your next adventure! Enjoy the new chapter! The only thing I need help on is offloading a Porsche, and Acadia, and a Prado before next week. Also need to get rid of a lot of potted plants.. :D Jeez, NYC when I offered to help you with your leaving arrangments you jumped down my throat. What makes it different when you do it?OH I GET IT> you don't like my tone. hmmmm Are you for real?[u'>[u'>[b'> I wished her best of luck and I was sincere, I wasn't being snide and rude like you. [/b'>[/u'>[/u'>I am sure deep down inside you know exactly what you did. If you are going to be mean, at least own up to it and don't back pedal when you get called out on it. I don't know why you have a personal problem with me, but I don't take it personal. It seems like you have a persona problem with a lot of posters. Thats all I have to say because you do a pretty good job of making yourself look bad on this forum.

Dubai is devoid of intellectualism ! It's raison d'etre is to be an ego-massaging bourgeois paradise full of shopping and luxury. It's a machine designed almost exclusively for that single purpose by the state. It's a simulacra - an idealized, manufactured copy of something that never really existed - very Disneyesque. And workers don't even come into it really...they're considered capital and not human by the system, to be used and discarded as necessary. The only difference in how workers are treated is the level of transparency and care taken vis a vis the lifecycle of exploitability and expendability, which is of course dependent on class and race. IMO it's partially a product of the Conservative desire to maintain a stable, predictable, simplistic, patriarchial culture (the benign/benevolent monarchy in this case) as much as a total focus on economic interests...the desire for everything to run as smoothly as possible in much a way as to maximize profit without offending anyone. I'm always for dissection but you've got to know what you're dealing with and what you're getting into. For one the vast majority of people don't posess the intellectual skills to engage in high level sociopolitical/philosophical/political discourse - at best it would most likely be seen as threatening to the fragile bourgeois ego, which is intellectually unchallenged here. Pressed further, truly open intellectual discourse and self expression could well be seen as threatening to the dominant power structure here (government/culture) which is extremely sensitive to criticism. And in that case, action would likely be taken....if not by the authorities themselves then by the self censoring actors who depend on the system for survival. But anyone with intellectual portent coming here would most likely know all that up front. It's an interesting place to see interesting examples of various memes being played out in front of you however beyond that I wouldn't expect much in terms of actual culture, self expression, freedom of ideas, political discourse etc. This can be absolute purgatory for an educated individual, edited by our souls on 24/03/2011 This is to the last sentence my exact opinion of Dubai. I am also bored silly, it is a mental boredom which the bourgeousie don't understand ;)

Dubai is devoid of intellectualism ! It's raison d'etre is to be an ego-massaging bourgeois paradise full of shopping and luxury. It's a machine designed almost exclusively for that single purpose by the state. It's a simulacra - an idealized, manufactured copy of something that never really existed - very Disneyesque. And workers don't even come into it really...they're considered capital and not human by the system, to be used and discarded as necessary. The only difference in how workers are treated is the level of transparency and care taken vis a vis the lifecycle of exploitability and expendability, which is of course dependent on class and race. IMO it's partially a product of the Conservative desire to maintain a stable, predictable, simplistic, patriarchial culture (the benign/benevolent monarchy in this case) as much as a total focus on economic interests...the desire for everything to run as smoothly as possible in much a way as to maximize profit without offending anyone. I'm always for dissection but you've got to know what you're dealing with and what you're getting into. For one the vast majority of people don't posess the intellectual skills to engage in high level sociopolitical/philosophical/political discourse - at best it would most likely be seen as threatening to the fragile bourgeois ego, which is intellectually unchallenged here. Pressed further, truly open intellectual discourse and self expression could well be seen as threatening to the dominant power structure here (government/culture) which is extremely sensitive to criticism. And in that case, action would likely be taken....if not by the authorities themselves then by the self censoring actors who depend on the system for survival. But anyone with intellectual portent coming here would most likely know all that up front. It's an interesting place to see interesting examples of various memes being played out in front of you however beyond that I wouldn't expect much in terms of actual culture, self expression, freedom of ideas, political discourse etc. This can be absolute purgatory for an educated individual, edited by our souls on 24/03/2011 here we go...my vote for quote of the year :D I just need to get that smoke from up my a..... hahahaha WTF

I came across this post by accident and well am just lost for words. I am no longer in Dubai, but not far away. I'm embarassed to admit I am a Brit - and have to say that having lived in the middle east for the past 5 years, they have been the best years of my life. All I can say to new people coming to the middle east - don't hang round with the ex-pats - get to know the local people, and then tell me if you think they are rude and trying to kill you on the road. You just have to get used to the driving. I can tell you living in the UK - especially London - life is miserable - no one talks to you - you daren't go out at night because you're likely to be attacked, and you would have a fit if a stranger came up to play with your child. Yes these countries have their faults - but they definitely look after their own better than they do in the UK. I know after having been left for 2 years that Dubai has changed and gotten a lot quieter - but it is still a fun place to live with lots of excellent restaurants - I don't know how you could be bored there. Do some volunteering for charities - help out in the local community and then you'll definitely have a different attitude. I came to the middle east not knowing anything about the local culture or the muslim religion, but when you take time out to learn and meet people - you still might not afree with everything, but you'll have a better insight into how they tick. There is nothing more embarassing for me than going into somewhere like Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and seeing the Brits there on their cheap sun holidays tattooed and full of alcohol being loud etc. It's like anywhere in the world - your life is what you make it - if you sit and moan, then you'll have a horrible time, but if you make the effort to mingle - you will have a fantastic time!!

As far as I'm concerned I will never need to divorce a place. The only "thing" I'm married to is my husband and I'll follow him so that's why I'm here. I'll make the most I can of living here but I don't think I'll ever love the Dubai, just the same as I never loved Switzerland and the UK. IMHO you home is where your heart is and my heart is with my family not with a place. Good luck to the ones going and I guess good luck to us staying too! :)

Dubai is devoid of intellectualism ! It's raison d'etre is to be an ego-massaging bourgeois paradise full of shopping and luxury. It's a machine designed almost exclusively for that single purpose by the state. It's a simulacra - an idealized, manufactured copy of something that never really existed - very Disneyesque. And workers don't even come into it really...they're considered capital and not human by the system, to be used and discarded as necessary. The only difference in how workers are treated is the level of transparency and care taken vis a vis the lifecycle of exploitability and expendability, which is of course dependent on class and race. IMO it's partially a product of the Conservative desire to maintain a stable, predictable, simplistic, patriarchial culture (the benign/benevolent monarchy in this case) as much as a total focus on economic interests...the desire for everything to run as smoothly as possible in much a way as to maximize profit without offending anyone. I'm always for dissection but you've got to know what you're dealing with and what you're getting into. For one the vast majority of people don't posess the intellectual skills to engage in high level sociopolitical/philosophical/political discourse - at best it would most likely be seen as threatening to the fragile bourgeois ego, which is intellectually unchallenged here. Pressed further, truly open intellectual discourse and self expression could well be seen as threatening to the dominant power structure here (government/culture) which is extremely sensitive to criticism. And in that case, action would likely be taken....if not by the authorities themselves then by the self censoring actors who depend on the system for survival. But anyone with intellectual portent coming here would most likely know all that up front. It's an interesting place to see interesting examples of various memes being played out in front of you however beyond that I wouldn't expect much in terms of actual culture, self expression, freedom of ideas, political discourse etc. This can be absolute purgatory for an educated individual, edited by our souls on 24/03/2011 here we go...my vote for quote of the year :D

Dubai is devoid of intellectualism ! It's raison d'etre is to be an ego-massaging bourgeois paradise full of shopping and luxury. It's a machine designed almost exclusively for that single purpose by the state. It's a simulacra - an idealized, manufactured copy of something that never really existed - very Disneyesque. And workers don't even come into it really...they're considered capital and not human by the system, to be used and discarded as necessary. The only difference in how workers are treated is the level of transparency and care taken vis a vis the lifecycle of exploitability and expendability, which is of course dependent on class and race. IMO it's partially a product of the Conservative desire to maintain a stable, predictable, simplistic, patriarchial culture (the benign/benevolent monarchy in this case) as much as a total focus on economic interests...the desire for everything to run as smoothly as possible in much a way as to maximize profit without offending anyone. I'm always for dissection but you've got to know what you're dealing with and what you're getting into. For one the vast majority of people don't posess the intellectual skills to engage in high level sociopolitical/philosophical/political discourse - at best it would most likely be seen as threatening to the fragile bourgeois ego, which is intellectually unchallenged here. Pressed further, truly open intellectual discourse and self expression could well be seen as threatening to the dominant power structure here (government/culture) which is extremely sensitive to criticism. And in that case, action would likely be taken....if not by the authorities themselves then by the self censoring actors who depend on the system for survival. But anyone with intellectual portent coming here would most likely know all that up front. It's an interesting place to see interesting examples of various memes being played out in front of you however beyond that I wouldn't expect much in terms of actual culture, self expression, freedom of ideas, political discourse etc. This can be absolute purgatory for an educated individual, <em>edited by our souls on 24/03/2011</em>

My apologies, I must have read too quickly and didn't take in when you said 'for the most part'.

I do find it quite amusing how people can so passionately hate a place. Dubai really isn't that bad is it? And for the most part we CHOOSE to come here, and we can just as easily CHOOSE to leave, so why make such a big deal about how much you hate it? Not always. We CHOSE to accept the job in Oman, we didn't CHOOSE to relocate everybody from Muscat to Dubai. DH had a good job, and to keep it we had to move. I've had some fantastic times here and met some great people but I want to leave. Unfortunately we made a wrong decision in buying property. It was the right thing to do at the time but circumstances can change, and ours have. To walk away would severely limit our choices so although we COULD leave, we'd be daft to do so. Hence the use of "for the most part" SD I know not everyones situation is cut and dry, but most people do choose to come out here, and most people do have the choice to go home, however they choose not to leave as they don't want to give up xyz that they have which is provided by living and working in Dubai, yet they complain about how terrible it is... I'm not a massive dubai lover, and there's a lot of things that do my head in on a daily basis but I know that I've chosen to live here, and for whatever reasons have chosen to stay, and if I'm the one who chooses to stay here then why complain about my own choice...

Waxmuch-Enjoy the spa! *jealous* ;) BC-need any help? Best of luck to you in your next adventure! Enjoy the new chapter! The only thing I need help on is offloading a Porsche, and Acadia, and a Prado before next week. Also need to get rid of a lot of potted plants.. :D Darn, I'd love a Prado but don't think we can run to it. BC, it had completely slipped my mind whilst I was worrying about whether or not I hate Dubai, whereabouts are you so I could come and have a look at your plants, please? simpleasanniebc at gmail dot com if you want to contact me by email. Thank you. edited by simpleasabc on 24/03/2011 <em>edited by simpleasabc on 24/03/2011</em>

I have this image of the OP typing the final word of her post, slamming shut her computer, tossing it into a removal box and walking out of the door; her head held high and never looking back. She's gone, leaving us to bicker amongst ourselves.;) Goodbye Mamaballs and good luck. Oh yes! That is the only way to get satisfaction.....I like the idea.

Waxmuch-Enjoy the spa! *jealous* ;) BC-need any help? Best of luck to you in your next adventure! Enjoy the new chapter! The only thing I need help on is offloading a Porsche, and Acadia, and a Prado before next week. Also need to get rid of a lot of potted plants.. :D Jeez, NYC when I offered to help you with your leaving arrangments you jumped down my throat. What makes it different when you do it?OH I GET IT&gt; you don't like my tone. hmmmm

I have this image of the OP typing the final word of her post, slamming shut her computer, tossing it into a removal box and walking out of the door; her head held high and never looking back. She's gone, leaving us to bicker amongst ourselves.;) Goodbye Mamaballs and good luck.

Waxmuch-Enjoy the spa! *jealous* ;) BC-need any help? Best of luck to you in your next adventure! Enjoy the new chapter! The only thing I need help on is offloading a Porsche, and Acadia, and a Prado before next week. Also need to get rid of a lot of potted plants.. :D

Why hasn't this thread died? Says a lot about posters on EW. LOL

I do find it quite amusing how people can so passionately hate a place. Dubai really isn't that bad is it? And for the most part we CHOOSE to come here, and we can just as easily CHOOSE to leave, so why make such a big deal about how much you hate it? Not always. We CHOSE to accept the job in Oman, we didn't CHOOSE to relocate everybody from Muscat to Dubai. DH had a good job, and to keep it we had to move. I've had some fantastic times here and met some great people but I want to leave. Unfortunately we made a wrong decision in buying property. It was the right thing to do at the time but circumstances can change, and ours have. To walk away would severely limit our choices so although we COULD leave, we'd be daft to do so. Good point SD

I find it sad that at times this is almost like a brainwashing on this site. Everyone trying to force those who don't like Dubai into a forced love. The relentless attack on those of us who don't like it is amazing. I think it works both way, no? There are ppl who hate Dubai and look at ppl who love Dubai as desperate, probably come from an awful country to begin with, materialistic as they chose to be here instead of with family back in their country, etc. Like I said, I neither love nor hate Dubai. [b'>The thing that I don't get it is ppl who hates it and had left and enjoying their life in their home or new country but still keep on coming to bash dubai. When my time come, I just bid goodbye to friends, leave and that's it. Like everywhere I had been to, somethings are good, somethings are not.[/b'>edited by blimey on 24/03/2011 *Like* and agree!

I think everyone is entitled to their opinions, of course there will be varying experiences. HOWEVER I think that constantly comparing Dubai to your home country is mostly going to lead to negativity. Changing your lifestyle is hard, but it's nearly impossible if you aren't open-minded and are constantly living in the past. It's like when you are in a long-term relationship with someone, you get used to how they move, speak, act, etc. You develop a routine just how you like it and this becomes your lifestyle and you are happy. Then for whatever reason you guys break up. When you get into another relationship is it right to constantly pick on your new boyfriend about all the things your ex did better or differently from him? Of course not, so doesn't it make sense to stop comparing Dubai to (insert home country here)? Dubai is different from (insert home country here) -- in some ways worse and others better. Focus only on the negative and you will ensure your misery. Personally, when I stopped comparing the US to Dubai that's when I found things to be happier about.

I never said you had to shut up about loving Dubai. I have seen multiple comments on here from people telling people that they don't know what they are missing, or they don't know how to enjoy dubai, or how they must be pathetic human beings because they can't find the love of this place. The first several comments to the now MIA OP were goodbye, good ridance, can't stand moaners, blah blah blah. I am happy to be leaving next week. I will not let the door hit me on the backside on my way out. I would never consider living here again simply because the backwards laws of this place do my head in. I can't stand the rude pushy people in stores. I can't stand how we are supposed to live in fear of the locals and they LIKE it that way. Heaven forbid we offend the wrong person or they have a wild hair up their backside and decide to turn you in for some ficticious offense. It is pathetic that the majority of the police force is too intimidated to do any real work for fear of peeving the wrong person. So they pick on labor workers and other domestic types of help just because they can and feel as if they have some form of authority. All of this talk about "wasta" is ridiculous. NO ONE should be exempt from upholding the laws. However some just seem to flount them because they know they can just go talk to he good ol police chief and walk away scot free. I look forward to knowing I am going to a place where the law enforcement is respected, laws are upheld and NO one regardless of nationality is exempt from upholding them. *LIKE*

Waxmuch-Enjoy the spa! *jealous* ;) BC-need any help? Best of luck to you in your next adventure! Enjoy the new chapter!

I do find it quite amusing how people can so passionately hate a place. Dubai really isn't that bad is it? And for the most part we CHOOSE to come here, and we can just as easily CHOOSE to leave, so why make such a big deal about how much you hate it? Not always. We CHOSE to accept the job in Oman, we didn't CHOOSE to relocate everybody from Muscat to Dubai. DH had a good job, and to keep it we had to move. I've had some fantastic times here and met some great people but I want to leave. Unfortunately we made a wrong decision in buying property. It was the right thing to do at the time but circumstances can change, and ours have. To walk away would severely limit our choices so although we COULD leave, we'd be daft to do so.

Good idea, NYCDoll. I'm off to Atlantis for a spa *she brags* :D

Ladies, we agree, love it or not, best to make the best of it while here! Travel to places nearby, eat tons of good ME food, hit the beaches and enjoy the good weather 6 months out of year. And so...its a beautiful day out today. I am going to take my kid out to the park, with a blanket, some snacks and a good book. ;) Lets stop staring at these glowing boxes and enjoy the weather before its too hot to do much outside :) Sadly I have closets to clean out and things to eliminate before the movers come in a few days.. :(