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Bad experience with mums n babies group :(

9

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 31 May 2012 - 16:24

Hello!

I just moved to Dubai so thought I would try out mums & babies group this morning...went along with my 11 month old and no one spoke to me! No one introduced themselves, offered me to join a conversation or have a seat...

Initially I couldn't even get in to sit down as two women were blocking with their pushchairs, when I got a seat one woman had her back to me and the rest just ignored me!

Probably shyness on my part but I felt so uncomfortable I just left and I wont be going back...

Nikki x

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1848

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 03 June 2012 - 09:55

Hi all, We're not sure if this was an EW arranged group or not but we just wanted to comment. All our groups have hostesses who are lovely and friendly and very welcoming especially of newcomers- we all know what it is like to go to something for the first time on your own and how much courage it has taken to pluck up the confidence to go. This is why we have hostesses. We recommend if it's your first time to go a little early and introduce yourself to the host and they will make sure you are looked after. There are newcomers all the time at all of our mums events and coffee mornings and we are experienced in dealing with first time nerves. Here's a bit more info about the ExpatMums & Bumps groups and the ExpatBumps & Babes. http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_families_mums_groups_8090.aspx If you want to get in touch with us before turning up at an event to establish contact and we can let the hosts know you are coming and to look out for you you can email [email protected] Look forward to seeing you at an event soon. Warm regards, EW Admin

199

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 June 2012 - 09:51

I thought i was the only one now i am begining to think maybe allot of the people where like me - newbies maybe i might give it another go else if anyone in the marina area keen on a playdate my adress is sandboxtreasures @ gmail.com

489

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 03 June 2012 - 09:48

Expecting my little man in about 8 weeks and I was looking around for groups to join once hes a bit older. Reading this has just confirmed my fear and put me right off. I really dont understand why stuck up women who have no intentions of being a part of a group would actually waste their time to attend these things? Its truly pathetic. Anyway I hope you find the right group and when you do please send me some details too! Thanks xoxo

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 03 June 2012 - 08:53

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience nikki. :( My first visit to a group coffee morning was also an unfriendly disaster. I'm a confident, outgoing person and that experience almost had me locked in my villa forever-more! Do not give up! :D There are LOTS of wonderful people to meet in Dubai. If you'd like to give a meet a go (again??) perhaps you could contact the person who hosts it before you go? If she knows to expect you, she can introduce you to a few friendly regulars? Either that, or try to arrange someone else to arrive with you? I must add, that first coffee morning I attended was the only time I ever found a seemingly unfriendly crowd in Dubai. Every other experience I had during my five years there taught me that people are generally very welcoming and warm. You'll meet the right group of people soon.

106

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 June 2012 - 22:20

Must have been very hard for you :( I think many of us had a hard time when joining this groups. I found it very intimidating and honestly came home and cried couple of times. But I went back and met a few nice ladies. My DS was 7-8 months and I knew for sure that I want him to have a nice group of friends for his first birthday. Having no family or close friends that time I could have pictured him alone with his mummy only on his birthday and that gave me power to go back and try agan. In few months I have to go back and do the same for my DD and not really looking forward to it but I know it's worth doing it. I made a few steps and introduced myself. Some times it was a nice surprise and the ladies were very kind and the conversation flew instantly Paying a compliment to their babies is always a good conversation start If the group you join is very strong and they ignore you after a few minutes you can claim you need to change the baby, go for a small walk or to the bathroom and you can sit next to somebody else You'll find yourself at one point with a few mobile numbers and playdates for your baby. Good luck :) and remember we' all mums that need company for themselves and their little ones.

1530

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 01 June 2012 - 20:52

I dont have a lo but I also find Dubai expats can be quite unfriendly and sometimes downright unkind to each other, and Im sure its totally different in each of their separate countries. In Ireland where I lived before, and SA and UK, everyone is very friendly. You cant stand at a bus stop for more than a minute before you have told the person next to you what youve had for breakfast and a new person at a table is always welcomed in with open arms. And if you walk along a country road your arm aches from waving at strangers. Im sure its like that in parts of everyone on EW's home country's? I remember arriving for my new job back in 2007 to work for a design company in Al Sufouh and at work the only people who smiled back and chatted in the kitchen area were the Filipino staff ! A few days later they had their Thursday drinks session in the main boardroom / md's office and no-one introduced themselves or reciprocated my introductions. Even people who were going to be in my team stonewalled me and elbowed me out of the way. I found everyone so rude and cold at that office and left quite soon after. But then I started to houseshare and live in a big house of expats and we bonded immediately. Even today we were shopping in Geant and the ladies pushing and scowling at me to get their veggies weighed first were really depressing. Not a smile anywhere from the fellow expat ladies today. So, there are such extremes here and I have become used to it and take solace in the friendships I have made which are awesome and numerous. Something about Dubai seems to push us to be a little more suspicious, a little more wary of other people somehow. Sorry for the ramble but I was thinking the same thing today

217

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 31 May 2012 - 21:56

It is hard at 1st but you will make friends. I was like you a few years ago but have some great friends now and kids are also best buddies. Summer is coming so many things will stop but look for swimming classes either at Meadows or Lakes club after summer. I made some great friends there. Also if you like exercise google Pure Fitness UAE, they run mums n tots fitness classes, everyone is so nice and often head for coffee after. Look at the expat woman mornings with play. Less formal. Think there is one on Sundays at Ibn, you get to have a play and coffee & cake and meet other mummies too. Another one at Mirdiff. Info is on this website. Try Boogie Babies as well.

flydiver1136092

504

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 31 May 2012 - 21:55

It can be very daunting to break into he mums groups here, so you are not alone. Your LO only needs one or two friends at that age anyway, as they really don't interact much, just play along beside each other. So your probably better off with one or two nice people that you feel comfortable with. Then you could go to a mothers group together and make more friends. The ones with soft play, like Mini Monsters on a Wed Morning can be good as your kid makes friends whilst playing, so you meet people that way. Or like someone else mentioned, you could join classes. Also approach other mums sitting on their own, as I'm sure you are not the only one feeling left out. Good luck, there are lots of nice mums out there :)

9

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 31 May 2012 - 21:28

Thanks for the lovely messages girls, that really cheered me up! Tablair - hope I will meet some people just out and about, thanks :)

Tablair200443706

146

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 31 May 2012 - 20:46

Sorry Nikki you had this experience. I had the same experience when I first got here 3.5years ago so I avoided 'formal' mums and babes groups. I went to baby classes and walked around my area. I met 5 mums in my area, just by bumping into them at the local spinneys. (still friends now) also play areas you will meet loads of other mums who are up for a chat. :) HTH and I hope you can find some other lovely mummy friends soon. X edited by Tablair2004 on 31/05/2012 <em>edited by Tablair2004 on 31/05/2012</em>

Suz&Olivia57302

11

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 31 May 2012 - 19:52

Hi Nikki, I live in the springs with a 7 month old little girl. Feel free to drop me an email on suziemcbride @ hotmail . com would be very happy to arrange a play date :)

2725

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 31 May 2012 - 17:58

Nikki, sorry to hear you were ignored, some woman here can be really stuck up. Hope you find some friends soon.

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