Rude people | ExpatWoman.com
 

Rude people

138
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 14:09

I don't have a car - I have two small children and am pregnant with my third. I take taxis, the bus and the metro to get around. Today I was on the metro, it was somewhat busy and my 3 year old son was sitting across from me on a single seat, he stood up for approx. 3 seconds to look out the door or something and a man tried to take his seat. We were going a long way and I didn't want him to lose his seat so I very politely said, "Oh, my son is sitting there" and the man says, he's not sitting, tell your son to sit down! Very rudely and stormed off.

Two days ago I was getting into a taxi with 3 bags of groceries, a stroller, an 11 month old baby and my 3 year old. The taxi driver did not get out to help. It was taking me a couple of minutes to juggle all of this stuff. A taxi that was waiting behind us lays on the horn and motions for us to move forward as there were by now empty spaces in front of us.

I don't understand these people! It makes me feel so uncomfortable in this city. I can be in a perfectly good mood and someone like this can ruin my day. This is only a couple of examples there are many more. My husband says I need to stand up for myself, tell the taxi driver to get the bags, etc. We are buying a second car soon - I can't wait!!

502
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 September 2011 - 14:34
Oh I've had loads of experiences with rude people here! I was once trying to cross the pedestrian lane at The Greens with my 3 month old baby (in his pram) and a lady driver just refused to stop despite my son and I actually being on the road already. I gestured to her to make her try to understand that she has to stop to let pedestrians cross and she just ignored me completely! There was also one time I was grocery shopping at Choitrtams (again with my baby in tow) and this guy just rams my baby's pram with his shopping cart! My instinct was to shout stop! stop! and what does he do? he just ignored me as if we did not exist and nothing happened. I moved on to the vegetables section and I find him there again with his shopping cart right smack in the middle of the aisle. I asked him to please move the cart so I can pass with my baby's pram and he muttered something in his local language and did nothing! absolutely nothing! I told him in a very loud voice that he should show respect to people around him. Why oh why oh why have they not learned basic courtesy at home or in school? Is it a culture thing? I find that you get a lot of nasty people in The Greens Choithram but it's the local shop so have to put up with it some times. Have experienced queue jumping and rude people in there in the space of a week!
138
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2011 - 07:35
Pomegranate replied : No excuse for the man to be rude to you and to steal the seat during that brief moment is not fair but 'in my day' children were taught to give up their seat for adults........ and for the taxi driver - some help and some don't. I think their official duty is to just drive the taxi from a-b and anything else (assistance with bags) is a bonus. I agree with children giving up their seats when they are a bit older and it is safe. I believe a grown man standing in the metro is less likely to fall over due to motion, etc whereas I have seen kids get knocked over when the metro starts & stops. I don't care if it's the taxi driver's official duty! This is my point - it's plain rude to watch a pregnant woman struggling with bags and children and not offer to help. My biggest complaint was the taxi behind honking for me to hurry up!! <em>edited by CABear on 30/09/2011</em>
1601
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 30 September 2011 - 02:14
Lived in Japan for 3 years,one in Tokyo .Despite hearing about train pusher rumours at home never saw it in all my travels. One of the most polite and pleasant folk I have ever known. Arrived in DXB from Japan and what a shock. Had lived inthe ME in the early 90's loved every minute of it but must admit that DXB 2007 was huge wake up. I could never put my finger on the reason for the general rude behaviour just found it so sad.
993
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 September 2011 - 00:10
. Just be very careful your hand signal is clear and cant be confused with any other signalling! The problem is even if the signal is clear, nothing stops the other person from making a false claim...
993
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 September 2011 - 00:08
Few weeks back there was a thread on good things in Dubai and some posters felt Dubai had "very polite" people. I didnt agree then and dont agree now and feel that only people coming from Riyadh, Cairo or Delhi will think people here are polite. Many people jump queues, show no respect unless they feel they could be punished, throw rubbish etc with impunity. We were waiting for the Etihad coach to Dubai last night, and almost 20 people from the same country jumped the queue while banging people with their baggage trolleys. I dont care if you grew up in Manila or Chennai, if you behave uncivilized you are uncivilized and in my ideal world, would be beaten with a horsewhip in public. And its not like they grew up fighting for food from aid agencies. Most people who act like this are not poor but are simply undisciplined, nasty creatures who behave like animals unless there is the chance they will be fined. I was in KL last week and when a train door opened, peole simply pushed in elbowing people waiting to exit and didnt allow them to leave, its only when DH shouted "could we have some manners and common courtesy" that the people stopped pushing in. Funnily in such cultures its considered rude to shout or show anger, but its apparently not rude to push people or break queues. <em>edited by Arch on 30/09/2011</em>
867
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 September 2011 - 00:01
I don't have a car - I have two small children and am pregnant with my third. I take taxis, the bus and the metro to get around. Today I was on the metro, it was somewhat busy and my 3 year old son was sitting across from me on a single seat, he stood up for approx. 3 seconds to look out the door or something and a man tried to take his seat. We were going a long way and I didn't want him to lose his seat so I very politely said, "Oh, my son is sitting there" and the man says, he's not sitting, tell your son to sit down! Very rudely and stormed off. Two days ago I was getting into a taxi with 3 bags of groceries, a stroller, an 11 month old baby and my 3 year old. The taxi driver did not get out to help. It was taking me a couple of minutes to juggle all of this stuff. A taxi that was waiting behind us lays on the horn and motions for us to move forward as there were by now empty spaces in front of us. I don't understand these people! It makes me feel so uncomfortable in this city. I can be in a perfectly good mood and someone like this can ruin my day. This is only a couple of examples there are many more. My husband says I need to stand up for myself, tell the taxi driver to get the bags, etc. We are buying a second car soon - I can't wait!! No excuse for the man to be rude to you and to steal the seat during that brief moment is not fair but 'in my day' children were taught to give up their seat for adults........ and for the taxi driver - some help and some don't. I think their official duty is to just drive the taxi from a-b and anything else (assistance with bags) is a bonus.
4329
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 23:24
Oh my gosh the same thing just happened to me today..... there were FIVE men crossing and I stopped behind the give way/pedestrian/crosswalk line waiting for them to cross - the idiot behind me honked like a maniac, then ALL the guys stared at ME thinking I did that!!! Ridiculous!!! The next time someone does it, I think I'm actually going to get out my car and go and have a 'word'/ Open the car door to get out - you may well find they panic and run off! have had that happen! :D
1759
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 22:35
as for the person honking behind me. I have occasionally got out of my car and walked back to theirs and asked them civilly what they wanted (which irritates the drivers behind them). Usually the response is, to "get moving" to which I respond civally again, there is no break in the oncoming traffic (or whatever the reasonable response is) and get back in my car and proceed. The beeping stops. But I am a white European middleaged tubby female. I know that is an advantage in such situations. <em>edited by marycatherine on 29/09/2011</em>
26
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 21:49
Oh I've had loads of experiences with rude people here! I was once trying to cross the pedestrian lane at The Greens with my 3 month old baby (in his pram) and a lady driver just refused to stop despite my son and I actually being on the road already. I gestured to her to make her try to understand that she has to stop to let pedestrians cross and she just ignored me completely! There was also one time I was grocery shopping at Choitrtams (again with my baby in tow) and this guy just rams my baby's pram with his shopping cart! My instinct was to shout stop! stop! and what does he do? he just ignored me as if we did not exist and nothing happened. I moved on to the vegetables section and I find him there again with his shopping cart right smack in the middle of the aisle. I asked him to please move the cart so I can pass with my baby's pram and he muttered something in his local language and did nothing! absolutely nothing! I told him in a very loud voice that he should show respect to people around him. Why oh why oh why have they not learned basic courtesy at home or in school? Is it a culture thing?
3804
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 20:52
Oh my gosh the same thing just happened to me today..... there were FIVE men crossing and I stopped behind the give way/pedestrian/crosswalk line waiting for them to cross - the idiot behind me honked like a maniac, then ALL the guys stared at ME thinking I did that!!! Ridiculous!!! The next time someone does it, I think I'm actually going to get out my car and go and have a 'word'/
594
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EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 20:49
Sorry Mrs M but I hate that hand gesture. Oh, I hate it too, I find it rude and arrogant, but it has so worked for me!
557
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EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 20:46
Oh my gosh the same thing just happened to me today..... there were FIVE men crossing and I stopped behind the give way/pedestrian/crosswalk line waiting for them to cross - the idiot behind me honked like a maniac, then ALL the guys stared at ME thinking I did that!!! Ridiculous!!!
3804
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 20:43
Urgh people not stopping drives me insane. I stopped at the pedestrian crossing in the Springs the other day and the moron behind me is honking and waving etc as there is a person actually on the crossing. I made a gesture like 'what now?' He just didn't get it. People are so wrapped up in their own little worlds here, they have no care or thought for anyone else.
1759
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 20:37
Sorry Mrs M but I hate that hand gesture. A personal preference I know. However, I have found being direct and to the point effective. I will look directly at the person I either want to do something (that they should be doing anyways - like helping me with my luggage or my shopping) and tell them what to do - I'm not rude or dictatorial about it - I just say something like - take that and please put it there - thank you - and turn away as I expect them to comply (taxi drivers take the unsubtle hint right away) I am also very profuse in my thanks and a smile (and a tip if I have the small change and felt that their help was willing instead of dragged out of them - in the latter case, if I am peeved, I will say - I was going to tip but you were rude, etc. so not this time). As for the idjits behind the wheel while I am crossing the street I stop (and this was a local lady) and stand in front of the car and ask why she is honking at me - it's a great feeling.
594
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EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 20:24
I don't have a car - I have two small children and am pregnant with my third. I take taxis, the bus and the metro to get around. Today I was on the metro, it was somewhat busy and my 3 year old son was sitting across from me on a single seat, he stood up for approx. 3 seconds to look out the door or something and a man tried to take his seat. We were going a long way and I didn't want him to lose his seat so I very politely said, "Oh, my son is sitting there" and the man says, he's not sitting, tell your son to sit down! Very rudely and stormed off. Two days ago I was getting into a taxi with 3 bags of groceries, a stroller, an 11 month old baby and my 3 year old. The taxi driver did not get out to help. It was taking me a couple of minutes to juggle all of this stuff. A taxi that was waiting behind us lays on the horn and motions for us to move forward as there were by now empty spaces in front of us. I don't understand these people! It makes me feel so uncomfortable in this city. I can be in a perfectly good mood and someone like this can ruin my day. This is only a couple of examples there are many more. My husband says I need to stand up for myself, tell the taxi driver to get the bags, etc. We are buying a second car soon - I can't wait!! I've perfected the 'wait' gesture of closed hand fingers together. I was crossing the carpark in Mirdiff CC last week ( got to love mall carparks with no walkways!), and was manoeuvring the children to cross safely when a guy wanted to turn into the entrance we were crossing. He edged closer and closer to the kids and then blasted the horn making my little one bust into tears with shock, so I ushered them all along, then I went and stood right next to his front bumper and yapped 'wait'. I then stood there for an extra few seconds to watch him pick his mouth up off the gear stick. Worked wonders. Just be very careful your hand signal is clear and cant be confused with any other signalling!
350
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 17:25
I absolutely cannot bear it when you are on the metro with a pram and you have to wait to use the lift because it's full with able-bodied people who are more than capable of using the escalators. It absolutely does my head in. Same here but the one advantage of the pram is when people want to walk in the metro/lift before I get out... I just drive straight at them with it and they run out of my way (must be the murderous look in my eyes!) Saying that once I'm in the lift people will often press the hold button for me to make sure I have time to get out. :)
36
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 17:15
I absolutely cannot bear it when you are on the metro with a pram and you have to wait to use the lift because it's full with able-bodied people who are more than capable of using the escalators. It absolutely does my head in.
107
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:59
It isn't the UK either I agree! that's what I'm trying to say too. It's not here. It's not there. So we need to meet in the middle somewhere. Agree! But its never going to happen when the majority rules.
57
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:55
It isn't the UK either I agree! that's what I'm trying to say too. It's not here. It's not there. So we need to meet in the middle somewhere.
3901
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:52
Sometimes it is hard to get where this attitude has come from, especially if you have been brought up in a country which queues politely and in order etc. If you spend a week in a city like Bombay you come away realising *why* people act like this - in some places it is a dog-eat-dog mentality, if they don't push in, someone else will, they'll take their space and they've had it. Just saying. :) I do understand where they mentality comes from but why must we always adapt to their mentalities? Why cant they improve on theirs. Grow as a person? [b'>This isnt Bombay after all[/b'>? It isn't the UK either
31
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:46
Sometimes it is hard to get where this attitude has come from, especially if you have been brought up in a country which queues politely and in order etc. If you spend a week in a city like Bombay you come away realising *why* people act like this - in some places it is a dog-eat-dog mentality, if they don't push in, someone else will, they'll take their space and they've had it. Just saying. :) I do understand where they mentality comes from but why must we always adapt to their mentalities? Why cant they improve on theirs. Grow as a person? This isnt Bombay after all? Too true
1238
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:45
I do understand where they mentality comes from but why must we always adapt to their mentalities? Why cant they improve on theirs. Grow as a person? This isnt Bombay after all? Some people just do not know how...that's the thing. They have to learn to queue, we have to learn not to mind when they haven't learned yet... We have to realize that its our *responsibility* to teach them!!!
57
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:43
I do understand where they mentality comes from but why must we always adapt to their mentalities? Why cant they improve on theirs. Grow as a person? This isnt Bombay after all? Some people just do not know how...that's the thing. They have to learn to queue, we have to learn not to mind when they haven't learned yet...
135
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:32
:cool: thanks ladies .. i really just couldnt' contain myself..they stood there just staring at me waiting for ME to figure out a way to de-sandwich myself from the two massive steel structures!! as if to notion that i had been wasting THEIR time by getting stuck. grrrr..funny enough though, this happened AFTER i read the thread on here..while i was standing there, all i could think of, (aside from slapping the four weirdos), was this thread! Anyway, again, hope the rudeness in this city doesn't affect everyone too much...especially mums with little ones or expecting mums...its such a stressful thing to experience rudeness here although i have to say, when i went to visit my hometown (Moscow) for the first time, Dubai in comparison was the nicest city ever...Dubai doesn't come close to Moscow's insensitivity in certain places..especially in service sectors...and you can't tell anyone off or complain like you can here..i guess its what keeps me relatively quiet during rude moments
3220
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:32
Sometimes it is hard to get where this attitude has come from, especially if you have been brought up in a country which queues politely and in order etc. If you spend a week in a city like Bombay you come away realising *why* people act like this - in some places it is a dog-eat-dog mentality, if they don't push in, someone else will, they'll take their space and they've had it. Just saying. :) I do understand where they mentality comes from but why must we always adapt to their mentalities? Why cant they improve on theirs. Grow as a person? This isnt Bombay after all?
57
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:27
Sometimes it is hard to get where this attitude has come from, especially if you have been brought up in a country which queues politely and in order etc. If you spend a week in a city like Bombay you come away realising *why* people act like this - in some places it is a dog-eat-dog mentality, if they don't push in, someone else will, they'll take their space and they've had it. Just saying. :)
502
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EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:21
Good for you!!! needs to be said! maybe one day they'll get the idea.
4000
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:21
Had an elevator related issue happen to me today, and it was the first time i actually rudely spoke out to someone i dont know..guess im in one of those scary moods today :) Was waiting for a lift with four other guys...office building where i work...and as the doors opened, everyone started running in without a care in the world for the elderly couple trying to come out of the elevator...anyway, once the order was established and they let the couple out, they again started to pack in like sardines into a can, and the last guy who was right in front of me (yes thats right the men had no clue that its best to let a lady with two laptops and a huge briefcase enter first), decided he wanted to stand out and slowly WALTZ into the elevator...by the time he got in, the doors were starting to shut, and of course as i was making my way into the lift, the doors started to shut, slamming me and my bags into a sandwich (old elevator and the doors are not fitted with sensors)...the four just stood there like a bunch of clueless id*ots...not a clue what the "door open" button does....so there i stood, wedged in...and in a split second i just got so angry i yelled at the mor*n who was so slow "cannot believe your mother refused to teach you any bl*ody manners! please press the button to open the door!! im a woman carrying three heavy bags, it should be common sense to hold the door for me or at least walk fast enough to consider the person behind you needs to make it inside as well!!!" ugh..they just stood there in silence...of course i felt horribly awkward right after as im usually a very quiet person when it comes to these things...oh well..still can't shake the feeling of all this anger. Good on you!
135
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:18
Had an elevator related issue happen to me today, and it was the first time i actually rudely spoke out to someone i dont know..guess im in one of those scary moods today :) Was waiting for a lift with four other guys...office building where i work...and as the doors opened, everyone started running in without a care in the world for the elderly couple trying to come out of the elevator...anyway, once the order was established and they let the couple out, they again started to pack in like sardines into a can, and the last guy who was right in front of me (yes thats right the men had no clue that its best to let a lady with two laptops and a huge briefcase enter first), decided he wanted to stand out and slowly WALTZ into the elevator...by the time he got in, the doors were starting to shut, and of course as i was making my way into the lift, the doors started to shut, slamming me and my bags into a sandwich (old elevator and the doors are not fitted with sensors)...the four just stood there like a bunch of clueless id*ots...not a clue what the "door open" button does....so there i stood, wedged in...and in a split second i just got so angry i yelled at the mor*n who was so slow "cannot believe your mother refused to teach you any bl*ody manners! please press the button to open the door!! im a woman carrying three heavy bags, it should be common sense to hold the door for me or at least walk fast enough to consider the person behind you needs to make it inside as well!!!" ugh..they just stood there in silence...of course i felt horribly awkward right after as im usually a very quiet person when it comes to these things...oh well..still can't shake the feeling of all this anger.
3220
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 16:11
Don't get me started on queues.. we are lined up patiently then someone walks straight to the front. I used to be too scared to say anything but not anymore ;) Agree- and add to that the non existant concept of 'personal space'. Lol! I dont understand how people cant feel as uncomfortable as I am when they stand too close especially when theres loads of space.Or when they park their cars close next to mine in an empty parking lot!
 
 

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