Newbie - what is it like in Ramadan? | Page 2 | ExpatWoman.com
 

Newbie - what is it like in Ramadan?

65 posts / 0 new
Last post
280
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 12:15
It is not in the DIFC labour law. Muslims are only allowed to work up to 6 hours per day by law. Not everyone Ow, waw. Bad luck.. I guess it only applies on the mainland, not in freezones then... But then I guess you work for a bank and your salary is better than mine, so that equals out :). Nope, wrong again LOL :D
374
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 12:14
It is not in the DIFC labour law. Muslims are only allowed to work up to 6 hours per day by law. Not everyone Ow, waw. Bad luck.. I guess it only applies on the mainland, not in freezones then... But then I guess you work for a bank and your salary is better than mine, so that equals out :). Nope, wrong again LOL
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 12:14
1) It will be 45 degrees during the day 2) all the food outlets are closed until sunset 3) half od Dubai will not be around 4) you will go crazy Oh my SG. Have you actually been in Dubai through Ramadan yet? I've not read any further in the thread but, apart from it being hot, I can't agree at all with your thoughts here. Have you asked Miss Balamory :D about that tour of 'the soul of Dubai' yet? Seems to me you need to discover the beauty of the place you live in.
280
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 12:13
It is not in the DIFC labour law. Muslims are only allowed to work up to 6 hours per day by law. Not everyone Ow, waw. Bad luck.. I guess it only applies on the mainland, not in freezones then... But then I guess you work for a bank and your salary is better than mine, so that equals out :).
374
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 12:11
It is not in the DIFC labour law. Muslims are only allowed to work up to 6 hours per day by law. Not everyone
280
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 12:10
This post about working hours made me check if it is the law to have shorter working days. And yes, it is in the labour law. Company is obliged to deduct 2 hours of normal working hours. Yippie! So that is another positive note on the subject :). I do not like Ramadan very much, but I think it has mainly to do with the heat, more than with the fact that it is Ramadan. I always stick around as well. And it's so nice that all roads are empty, and there's all the discounts and festivities as the girls have already mentioned.
2322
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 12:06
Ew is always really useful in Ramadan as the coffee ladies search out places that are open. Each day someone comes on here with a new find and with instructions how to get there! Except of course you do run the risk of asking a question as simple as "is anywhere open for coffee" on here and getting shot down in flames by a certain few, with the old "just stay at home" and "can't you cope for 8 hours without coffee", "you're in a Muslim country, what did you expect?" ... and my all-time favourite, "If you don't like it, leave" as happened to me last Ramadan (my first in Dxb) when I wanted to take my visiting daughter for a shopping day ;) really sam? shocking. so uinlike EW, lol! Mind you...what I find during the summer particularly and it's exaggerated during ramadan is that some women on here do go a bit feral. all that being stuck inside going 8 hours without their coffee must go somewhat to their heads :D
374
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 12:05
This will be Ramadan number 10 for me. I never go away during Ramadan because I love it. It will be very warm this year, it is true, but it is just going to be heavenly. the roads are quiet, there are discounts everywhere, more house parties than you can shake a stick at, you get to meet all sorts of new people because of said house parties, shorter working hours for some, cheap hotels in the UAE, meal deals, shopping discounts. Down side is not eating/drinking.smoking/chewing gum in public in the day but its only for a month. no big deal, and for me, the office is unchanged. We can still eat and drink etc and there is a designated hidden smoking area in the DIFC so people can go there. You cannot eat in the outlets but they deliver. Iftar is wonderful and if you get a chance to go to the house of a muslim family, you will have a wonderful time!
577
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:52
Ew is always really useful in Ramadan as the coffee ladies search out places that are open. Each day someone comes on here with a new find and with instructions how to get there! Except of course you do run the risk of asking a question as simple as "is anywhere open for coffee" on here and getting shot down in flames by a certain few, with the old "just stay at home" and "can't you cope for 8 hours without coffee", "you're in a Muslim country, what did you expect?" ... and my all-time favourite, "If you don't like it, leave" as happened to me last Ramadan (my first in Dxb) when I wanted to take my visiting daughter for a shopping day ;)
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:49
Another positive: Working hours are reduced by 2 hours a day :) in some places not all
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:49
I find that Dubai has become stricter during Ramadan. We were driving through the Greens last year( we dont have tinted windows) A policeman saw me take a sip of water ( in the car) and signaled for me to put the bottle away. It was just a sip and I was in my car! They are also stricter on dress etc in the Malls. I thought your car was deemed private like your house so were allowed to e & d???? Get your windows tinted for this years!!! nope you are not allowed and of course if you go over the 30% tint you could be in more trouble. only pregnant or breastfeeding mothers can get away with drinking etc. and children under puberty yep forgot them
1579
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:47
i absolutely LOVE ramadan! i couldn't care less about food/drink restrictions, i find it a lovely time, when we are reminded that we live in a muslim country (can be easy to forget). i love spending time with muslim friends at iftars and feeling closer to them as they usually invite us to their homes and to spend time with their families. it's amazing being near mosques and seeing the food being given away, the general feeling of charity and thankfulness. i really look forward to it. Exactly :)
743
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:47
I've never really minded Ramadan, but then that was living in Dubai. Now I'm in RAK I'm not looking forward to it as I think it will be just dead here :( yeah it will be. Although I had my first Ramadan there so hopefully its a bit better now.
5499
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:44
I've never really minded Ramadan, but then that was living in Dubai. Now I'm in RAK I'm not looking forward to it as I think it will be just dead here :(
743
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:41
this is going to be my third Ramadan. DH wanted me to go but such a pain flying to our home country with a 3 and 1 yr old. Plus little DS's 1st birthday is just days before Ramadan this year. We always try to make shopping trips short or we keep it til later in the evening so the restaurants are open. Lots of places like starbucks are open but for take away and appear closed.
2362
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:24
i absolutely LOVE ramadan! i couldn't care less about food/drink restrictions, i find it a lovely time, when we are reminded that we live in a muslim country (can be easy to forget). i love spending time with muslim friends at iftars and feeling closer to them as they usually invite us to their homes and to spend time with their families. it's amazing being near mosques and seeing the food being given away, the general feeling of charity and thankfulness. i really look forward to it.
228
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:17
I find that Dubai has become stricter during Ramadan. We were driving through the Greens last year( we dont have tinted windows) A policeman saw me take a sip of water ( in the car) and signaled for me to put the bottle away. It was just a sip and I was in my car! They are also stricter on dress etc in the Malls. I thought your car was deemed private like your house so were allowed to e & d???? Get your windows tinted for this years!!! nope you are not allowed and of course if you go over the 30% tint you could be in more trouble. only pregnant or breastfeeding mothers can get away with drinking etc. and children under puberty
252
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:17
Another positive: Working hours are reduced by 2 hours a day :)
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:17
I find that Dubai has become stricter during Ramadan. We were driving through the Greens last year( we dont have tinted windows) A policeman saw me take a sip of water ( in the car) and signaled for me to put the bottle away. It was just a sip and I was in my car! They are also stricter on dress etc in the Malls. I thought your car was deemed private like your house so were allowed to e & d???? Get your windows tinted for this years!!! nope you are not allowed and of course if you go over the 30% tint you could be in more trouble. only pregnant or breastfeeding mothers can get away with drinking etc.
228
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:15
you see....this is EXACTLY why a seminar and booklet for new people to Dubai would be soooo useful! Everyone will now give their opinions, suggestions and recommendations on this thread and confuse the poor girl....whereas if she had a definitive guide she could refer to, which was written by people who actually live through Ramadan year in / year out then that would be priceless I don't see how it can be definitive though. Don't get me wrong a guide is great but I know many people who love being in Dubai for Ramadan and others who absolutely hate it. I just can't see how a guide can be so definitive on something that people feel so very different about. I'm in the I love Ramadan camp for example! edited by Clairehdp on 12/04/2011 Its not a guide about whether you love or hate it...its a guide about what you can and can't do, where you can go, where you can't go, what is open and what is closed etc Oh ok so it will need to be updated all the time as new places put up their screens and start serving food behind curtains! Ew is always really useful in Ramadan as the coffee ladies search out places that are open. Each day someone comes on here with a new find and with instructions how to get there! My favourite is the cafe at the organic supermarket where it looks all closed up but if you go behind the meat counter you can get in through the curtain !! Good luck with you guide/seminar sounds a good plan and I'm sure people on here can report on new findings for you. its not instead of EW..its as well as....the more info the better!
108
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:13
The malls are pretty quiet during the day, so that's the best time to go shopping.
71
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:13
I have been in Dubai for three years and it's not that bad! Yes, it is frustrating if you want to go for dinner early, have a drink before sunset or meet a friend for lunch but the rest of it is fine. Last year there were more food places open in the malls but with curtains covering the windows (Time Out had a list of places to eat during the day). The Iftar meals are a great way to relax with friends and actually find out a little bit about the culture here. The one thing I would suggest is making sure you don't have visitors during ramadan because it can be difficult doing all the touristy things.
351
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:07
I find that Dubai has become stricter during Ramadan. We were driving through the Greens last year( we dont have tinted windows) A policeman saw me take a sip of water ( in the car) and signaled for me to put the bottle away. It was just a sip and I was in my car! They are also stricter on dress etc in the Malls. I thought your car was deemed private like your house so were allowed to e & d???? Get your windows tinted for this years!!!
2958
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:06
you see....this is EXACTLY why a seminar and booklet for new people to Dubai would be soooo useful! Everyone will now give their opinions, suggestions and recommendations on this thread and confuse the poor girl....whereas if she had a definitive guide she could refer to, which was written by people who actually live through Ramadan year in / year out then that would be priceless I don't see how it can be definitive though. Don't get me wrong a guide is great but I know many people who love being in Dubai for Ramadan and others who absolutely hate it. I just can't see how a guide can be so definitive on something that people feel so very different about. I'm in the I love Ramadan camp for example! edited by Clairehdp on 12/04/2011 Its not a guide about whether you love or hate it...its a guide about what you can and can't do, where you can go, where you can't go, what is open and what is closed etc Oh ok so it will need to be updated all the time as new places put up their screens and start serving food behind curtains! Ew is always really useful in Ramadan as the coffee ladies search out places that are open. Each day someone comes on here with a new find and with instructions how to get there! My favourite is the cafe at the organic supermarket where it looks all closed up but if you go behind the meat counter you can get in through the curtain !! Good luck with you guide/seminar sounds a good plan and I'm sure people on here can report on new findings for you.
213
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:02
I find that Dubai has become stricter during Ramadan. We were driving through the Greens last year( we dont have tinted windows) A policeman saw me take a sip of water ( in the car) and signaled for me to put the bottle away. It was just a sip and I was in my car! They are also stricter on dress etc in the Malls.
228
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 11:01
you see....this is EXACTLY why a seminar and booklet for new people to Dubai would be soooo useful! Everyone will now give their opinions, suggestions and recommendations on this thread and confuse the poor girl....whereas if she had a definitive guide she could refer to, which was written by people who actually live through Ramadan year in / year out then that would be priceless I don't see how it can be definitive though. Don't get me wrong a guide is great but I know many people who love being in Dubai for Ramadan and others who absolutely hate it. I just can't see how a guide can be so definitive on something that people feel so very different about. I'm in the I love Ramadan camp for example! edited by Clairehdp on 12/04/2011 Its not a guide about whether you love or hate it...its a guide about what you can and can't do, where you can go, where you can't go, what is open and what is closed etc
228
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 10:59
do not play loud music in your car do not show any public display of affection to your husband . boyfriend do not eat or drink in public, even in your own car do not smoke in public do not chew gum in public do dress conservatively
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 10:58
1) It will be 45 degrees during the day 2) all the food outlets are closed until sunset 3) half od Dubai will not be around 4) you will go crazy thats not quite true, in dubai there will some places that you will find is open for food, or take away. it may be nearer 50 degrees! the water parks are open etc and they sell food, but quite often places will be behind a curtain or a closed area etc. it used to be quite quiet but not so much nowadays. dubai is less strict about it as abu dhabi.
2958
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 10:58
you see....this is EXACTLY why a seminar and booklet for new people to Dubai would be soooo useful! Everyone will now give their opinions, suggestions and recommendations on this thread and confuse the poor girl....whereas if she had a definitive guide she could refer to, which was written by people who actually live through Ramadan year in / year out then that would be priceless I don't see how it can be definitive though. Don't get me wrong a guide is great but I know many people who love being in Dubai for Ramadan and others who absolutely hate it. I just can't see how a guide can be so definitive on something that people feel so very different about. I'm in the I love Ramadan camp for example! <em>edited by Clairehdp on 12/04/2011</em>
213
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 10:55
I have lived through 4 Ramadans and I never enjoy them. They are very difficult, particullarly if you are new and don't know anyone. I am forcing myself out of Dubai for the month of August as I know that I will not survive another nor will my kids. This is a forum for opinons
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY