18 October 2015
| Last updated on 19 October 2015
Meet Sophie: The Personality Behind Only in Dubai
While her book has got the entire Emirate in a buzz, we grabbed the chance to chat to Sophie Robehmed herself and delve deeper into her thoughts on the Emirate's expats.
When someone asks you what kind of expat you are, what do you respond? Now the brainchild of the conscientious Sophie Robehmed, Only In Dubai, might be able to lend you a helping hand.
Only in Dubai: An Essential Guide to the Emirate's Expats identifies twenty key expat communities, and we're sure you'll relate to at least one or two. So when we had the chance to pick the mind of Sophie herself, we couldn't help ourselves when asking where she belongs, the story behind the book and where she'd place the ExpatWoman team!
Of course, the first question is: what inspired you to write this book?
I loved meeting Emiratis and expats from all over the world every day while living in the UAE. Even the most fleeting of encounters could lead to amusing anecdotes, interesting stories, and memorable day-to-day experiences that provided more than enough inspiration to write Only in Dubai. On top of that, Dubai is a city with about 90 per cent expats. It’s a one-of-a-kind bubble that can often feel far removed from reality, or certainly the reality that most expats know before moving to the Sandpit. Residents, visitors and the downright Dubai curious need a light-hearted read to guide them around town. Hopefully my book can offer that insight while tickling readers’ funny bones, too.
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The book is aimed at expats: have you taken into consideration all nationalities of expats living in Dubai?
It’s funny. I’m often asked about nationalities and whether Emiratis feature in Only in Dubai. When I initially thought about the 20 most obvious expat tribes to write about, I didn’t think in terms of ethnicity. I thought of the people I know, knew, met, who were integral to my Dubai experience. But, as it happens, I’d say it covers most, if not all, of the inhabitants of the city in some way, in so much as this: if you struggle to see yourself in any of the expat tribes, you’re guaranteed to recognise at least one person you know.
We love your sense of humour! Do you feel that there’s a lack of it while living as expatriates here?
Thank you, I’m glad you do! I know Dubai might get a ‘serious’ press for its conservative laws but in the same breath, it’s the only city I know that endeavours to be the biggest and best at something – and then attempts to beat its own record once it has achieved it. That’s pretty funny. But, in all seriousness, how can a city that provides golf buggies to travel a short distance within hotel premises – a journey that would take barely a minute on foot – be lacking in comedy? Seriously.
Are the 20 stereotypes based on people you know closely, or mostly based on general observations?
I’d say Only in Dubai is predominantly inspired by real people, observations and fictitious thoughts I plucked out of my head.
How did you manage to profile all the types of expat groups?
I haven’t written about all the types of expat groups – 20 expat tribes wouldn’t cover it for most cities, let alone one as multi-cultured as Dubai – but for me, these were certainly the ones I had to write about. I’m sure it could differ from person-to-person, depending on his or her day-to-day life in Dubai. Also, it’s important that readers smile knowingly, guffaw (preferably from deep within their gut) and don’t take each ‘profile’ seriously, literally, or sue me (see answer to question four, above).
Which of the expat groups do you feel best fits yourself and your social group?
I don’t want to speak for them but I’d say most of us are a mixture of various tribes. Personally, I relate most to the Media Moguls, Explorers, Culture Vultures and Foodies.
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If you could put yourself in any group you love the sound of, which would it be?
Definitely the Explorers, especially when the Middle East is your base – such a brilliant springboard to throw yourself into travelling in a multitude of different directions. And then there’s the authentic avenues to experience on your doorstep, as well – I enjoyed unearthing ‘real’ Dubai, and getting underneath the surface of as many of the other Emirates as I could, too.
Do you have any plans to return to Dubai and/or write another one?
I’m really looking forward to visiting Dubai, soon I hope, and seeing how much it has changed since I left in August 2013. I can’t believe it’s been that long already. I’d love to see what a follow-up Only in Dubai would look like in as little as 10 years. People love describing Dubai as a ‘melting pot’, and I see that element of life in the Emirate only increasing – new expat tribes, diasporas even. The country will be just 44 years old in December – it will be fascinating to witness its evolution in another 44.
Lastly… Where do you think the ExpatWoman team would fit in these groups?
Haha, I wouldn’t dare make any stereotype assumptions about the ExpatWoman team. But I imagine there might be some Jumeirah Janes reading this interview on their smartphones, while getting a pedi in Tips & Toes, as they psych themselves up to buy half of Spinneys (either that, or they’re about to call their maids to do it for them instead). *Ahem*.
