Doubting Thomas | ExpatWoman.com
 

Doubting Thomas

Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 16:15
We've never had a maid...if you don't work it's not necessary.
Doubting Thomas
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 15:38
How sad that they resort to dragging up 2 year old threads on women's forums to get a free ad :( We've been here over 6 years and have never had problems with RTA taxis and you can book them ahead for any time or day you want.. lol @ Captain..
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 15:32
Sadly, Dubai is not the place to live on a shoestring especially if you have children. There will be endless expenses such as school uniform and school trips which the school will tell you are not compulsory but make you feel like the biggest Scrooge ever if you are the one parent who doesn't let their child go !! As an example we paid 11,000 dhs for our eldest to go to Vietnam and have just paid 3 thousand something for our 11 year old to go to Sri Lanka.. If you have to pay for your own visas that's another few hundred every 2 or 3 years, internet package (tv isn't necessary, you can get by with a v p n to watch iplayers), DEWA (electricity and water), groceries aren't as expensive as a lot of people will tell you, or at least I don't think so - many things we buy are cheaper here than at home..Alcohol licence is 200 dhs annually, ID card and driving licence cost, thankfully fuel is really cheap - I can fill a 4x4 tank for less than 100 dhs !! (would cost that much in pounds back home !! lol). Beauty treatments aren't necessary - I've been here for years and have yet to set foot inside a salon although I do get my hair coloured every 2 or 3 months. You can make savings in lots of ways but then an unexpected expense will come up and your savings have gone !! It's a fabulous place and bursting with amazing things to do so I would say, if you have the opportunity then take it, just don't expect to save much or do everything you want to do and keep an exit plan funded should it prove too difficult to manage. Just beware that most of us only plan to be here a short time but end up staying much longer and be prepared for the peculiar thing that happens to so many of us when we've been here for a while and our circumstances dictate that we really should head home yet we desperately look for ways to stay, at any cost !! Deciding to come will be a difficult decision but deciding to leave is virtually impossible !!
Doubting Thomas
2298
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 14:58
Facebook
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 14:52
I think Dubizzle charge to advertise now whereas facebook is free - if your community facebook group allows car ads it's by far the easiest option or there are loads of "buy, sell or swap" groups..
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 03 April 2016 - 23:19
Been here over 6 years and never used pest control yet..When we see a cockroach a good dousing in PifPaf kills it and that's it. Rarely see more than one at a time.
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 03 April 2016 - 23:11
You can feel "at" home in lots of places - we just had a holiday where we all felt very "at home" but when we left we said we were going home..I haven't lived where I spent my childhood since then but I still call it my home town and my house in the UK is home because it's still full of my things...My mum always used to say that family make a house a home so my home is where my family is - except that between the 4 of us we are in 3 countries !! so it's a difficult question to answer...a better question would be, what is the one thing you would only do in your own home !! lol (watch telly in my jarmies with a large glass of wine eating pizza out of the box lol)
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 21 March 2016 - 13:51
I've heard lots of recommendations for Springbok meats - and they deliver in a proper refridgerated truck !!
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 21 March 2016 - 12:25
Are you wanting to open one yourself or do you suspect there is one operating without a licence or qualified beauticians ? If the latter then you can raise a complaint with the Department of Economic Development and they will investigate. If the former, you will also need to go to the DED but you will need to engage qualified staff.
Doubting Thomas
2298
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 March 2016 - 12:43
It depends on the individual but watching tv from your home country can help - I know for some people it makes them feel worse and for others it can create a bubble that prevents them from fully engaging with their life here but in some cases it can be a comfort.. Dubai is a fabulous place and there is something here to cater for every taste so whatever you're interested in just search some of the "what to do today" type pages on facebook or look for community groups and get involved. More coffee mornings going on than you'll ever have time for and hopefully you'll connect with some like minded women..don't worry if you don't, ther'es plenty more !! All sounds a bit superficial but keeping busy will be the first step - actually second, you've already taken the first one by reaching out on here... :)
Doubting Thomas
2298
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Latest post on 19 March 2016 - 23:11
You could try checking the KHDA website - it's usually very helpful.
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 19 March 2016 - 21:42
I wonder why comments referencing EW's facebook page keep getting removed...
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 19 March 2016 - 13:19
Thank you admin :cool:
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 19 March 2016 - 11:43
Only 14 users logged in - twice as many as when you first posted. Yes it's a terrible tragedy and of course our thoughts are with all those affected (but we all have tv and internet so maybe we don't come to EW for this kind of news anymore). Very sad :(
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 19 March 2016 - 04:23
The outstanding schools will be the most expensive, and if you choose a Good, they will be forever striving to improve as it affects how much they can increase the fees by !! As already said, there are different curricula and also profit and not for profit schools plus schools that are part of a chain run by a company such as GEMS or Taaleem - depends how you feel about that and you can research them and their core values.. Then there is location to look at - it's a juggling act with your husband's work location, where you live and where the school is !! Ideal is to have them all close but whatever happens you will almost certainly have a school run of minimum 20/30 minutes.. Personally I can't recommend Safa Community School highly enough - brand new building - only in its second year and I can't fault it. Staff are all lovely and it has a real nurturing feel to it... It's situated near Arabian Ranches which is a popular community but only a short drive from lots of other communities. Best to see how you feel once you actually visit - you can tell a lot more once you've visited and met the staff...but i'd definitely recommend putting Safa on your list..
Doubting Thomas
2298
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Latest post on 18 March 2016 - 22:13
wow...just wow...
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 18 March 2016 - 21:51
Sadly, the nature of social media is such that you will mostly hear negative stories because what would be the point in posting when everything is hunky dory ? I've learnt lots of things since being an expat but the OP wasn't clear about whether it's an expat in Dubai stories they want or expat in general but the phrase "personal experience" probably means they don't want the usual human rights complaints trotted out.... Also, it's now illegal to post anything that could portray Dubai in a bad light... In my 6 years here (not been an expat anywhere else), I've learnt than people can be fickle, Dubai seems to be the land of eternal self-promotion, and social media is both the best thing here and the worst. No point in elaborating because it will get deleted thereby proving the point lol My personal experience has been a good one, maybe we've just been lucky - life here is what you make it and I can contradict practically everyone on here who has complained of high prices, rude people, difficult driving, etc etc...and a smile goes a long way - wherever you live :)
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 03 March 2016 - 16:11
I was surprised to find that the women at the coffee morning had no knowledge of the forum and the host claimed to not even know there was one !! lol I guess it's a different type of woman - the ones who go to the coffee mornings use EW as an information web site and aren't forum "types".. the coffee mornings are great but I wouldn't recommend you go on your own - most of the women are regulars and it can be very cliquey. In my case once the host had taken my money and given me my name sticker I didn't see her again !!
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 03 March 2016 - 16:06
Daft idea - what's wrong with women reporting sick when they have period pains in the same way as any other illness ? Much easier to employ men these days - ok, so you have to pay them a bit more but save loads on not having to give maternity pay, breast feeding breaks and now period leave and they don't call in sick when their kids are ill or they have some other home emergency...
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 03 March 2016 - 15:59
If we're talking about DESS consider yourselves extremely fortunate to have got a place - give it up as an absolute last result !! Look for housing near school and let your husband have the worst drive !!
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 March 2016 - 10:39
charming
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 March 2016 - 10:38
start a carefully worded facebook group or google for other forums - have you tried googling the actual name ? maybe there are others looking for support...
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 March 2016 - 10:11
why did Admin remove my post when I just recommended a google search yet there are posts here actually naming other groups and clubs ?
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 March 2016 - 09:59
and Republicans ?
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 26 February 2016 - 14:20
There are more replies to this on facebook !! lol
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 26 February 2016 - 13:57
well you'll be pleased to know this post has just come up on my facebook newsfeed as a sponsored EW post (yes, they've paid money to have it targeted to thousands of facebook users !!) but sadly so far only two people have responded...
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 17:00
Sorry, but why should the school give you a discount when so many of us are struggling ? Best advise is to move to a cheaper school or consider returning to your home country.. sorry, hope you can find a solution..by all means ask the school...those who don't ask don't get !! lol
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 16:57
Yes.
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 16:56
wow !! A recruiter recommends lying on your CV, using a false name and disowning your nationality !! Not good advice... Wind 777 is referring to a maid's position although the OP clearly said she is a graduate... Sorry, no advice but to just keep applying for jobs, I'm sure there is nothing against your nationality just a very competitive job market here.. good luck !!
Doubting Thomas
2298
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Latest post on 04 February 2016 - 22:45
It's the Tour of Dubai Cycle race - Stage 3 tomorrow http://dubaitour.com/
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 04 February 2016 - 22:36
Don't know where 'bomb threat' came from - at no point was that ever mentioned. A threatening phone call was received that sparked an evacuation. Probably because they're linking it to all the others which were bomb threats - Schools across Australia and 14 UK schools 2 weeks ago were evacuated for threats by the same organisation.. http://www.educationjournalme.com/news/dubai-school-evacuated-after-bomb-threat_368
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 February 2016 - 17:40
No pleasing some people... lolol
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 February 2016 - 16:37
wow Im late to the party, and LOVE a good rant! OP- you go girl, don't like her treat u like that. to others, how would YOU react to being treated like a second class citizen?! Are you saying maids or nannies are second class citizens ?
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 February 2016 - 16:35
None of us wear pyjamas !! lol Makes for a different Christmas morning picture then ;) Haha !! yes, we'd be on those terrible photo collections that do the rounds on facebook.... Ten most obscene family photos...can you spot Rudolf's red nose ?....:lol:
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 February 2016 - 13:41
Have had "mayo man" in Park n Rob's car park a few times - I just close the window and refuse to look at him as he shuffles away...Am more than happy to slip a few dirhams extra to car washers or street sweepers etc as I go about my day but will never feel obliged to support a scam.
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 February 2016 - 13:35
None of us wear pyjamas !! lol
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 February 2016 - 13:33
Hard to see how it isn't a money saver when you only need to use two brunch vouchers or a brunch and an attraction such as Wild Wadi and the book is paid for...Unless you don't do brunch, in which case why would you bother with it in the first place ? lol
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 February 2016 - 13:24
From my understanding dressing your children matching (either to yourself or other children) can be a sign of luxury /wealth here, as it means you had enough money to buy them the clothes very recently (before 1 of them grows out of it or stains it), and enough time to ensure both outfits were clean and pressed at the same time etc. I don't understand this - what difference does it make whether the outfits are the same or not ? You have still managed to clothe both children... In answer to the OP - a definite NO from me, dressing parents and children to match looks weird but if the idea is Russian then you will obviously do well with the huge Russian population here and it seems other non-European types...Maybe this isn't the best forum to ask..
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 02 February 2016 - 13:01
well, at least you brought all the old-timers out of the woodwork !! Well done GB, and CP is happy now EW is back... lol Clearly some people here aren't familiar with GB's style but her heart's in the right place and I second the posters who said we should be more supportive.. As an aside, this doesn't apply here as she said it's her first time but parents picking kids up late is really annoying for teachers - I was in school the other day 40 minutes after the end of the day and there were still 2 kids waiting while the receptionist was ringing the parents..one of the fathers had said he'd be 10 minutes over half an hour ago and meanwhile the staff were wanting to get on but had to sit in the reception essentially playing babysitter...we all have one-offs with the car breaking down or whatever but these two were habitual...it's like the parents just expect it to be ok...and before anyone jumps in with the white privilege excuse, neither of these two children were..
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 28 January 2016 - 19:30
I recommend you check the legality of this first - I understood only related/sponsored people are allowed to live together in villas...Maybe look for an apartment ?
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 28 January 2016 - 19:27
Why do so many people on this forum compare things here to "the UK". We are not in the UK. Most of the people who make up the 300 nationalities in the UAE are not from the UK. Surely part of the experience of living abroad is to accept other people's cultural differences, whatever they may be. Having the ability to accept and appreciate other ways of life is the most important part of becoming an expat. Couldn't agree more CP, it annoys me intensely too and is not something I would normally do..however, in this case Rectangle was right - I said it to explain why I have the opinion I have ie in replying to Tessa (not the OP) I was trying to explain it can be cultural and obviously I myself am of a different culture to the OP..anyway...I'm always being judged on here for being judgemental !! LOL !! Actually, I don't have to appreciate other cultures here, just tolerate them, which is different, (unless you mean to accept that that's the way they are, which I've always done).. and keep my gob shut about it :biggrin: There's plenty of room for all of us..but it did get you to log back on and a few others I daresay ;):cool:
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 28 January 2016 - 10:32
Sorry admin, but is there anything more annoying that you do than break into conversations to advertise those meetups? I've been to them and never met another American. This woman is looking to meet a specific group of people ... if you want this forum to be useful and thrive, you would be better off backing away from advertising every time someone says something remotely linked to meeting up! Ditto !!! The link doesn't work and I've searched for American moms in Dubai, could you give the actual name of the group ?
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 27 January 2016 - 20:11
Redrectangle, I wasn't addressing the OP - I was responding to Tessa..sorry my opinions aren't the same as yours... and I've never heard of Emla cream, would you like to make something of that too ? lol
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 25 January 2016 - 23:30
http://dubai247.ae/dubai-roads-get-new-speed-limits/ I also read something else somewhere that said they have abandoned the grace amount so now the cameras will go off on the limit... That's not what I read. From what I understand, they have lowered the speed limit in several areas and as a result have also lowered the speed limit at which the radar goes off. Also, people think that there is a general "grace" bumper at which the radar goes off on all the roads (either +10 kph or +20 kph over the speed limit). This isn't true. Each road has it's own specific bumper so you really have to be careful. RTA and Police should do a better/wider awareness campaign to make sure the public knows the changes in the speed limits. I can't remember where but I did read that grace limits were being reduced... Personally I don't think it matters what the "grace" is - drivers should just stick to the limits...not rocket science !! lol
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 25 January 2016 - 17:10
Tessa, I think you'll find it can be a cultural thing- personally, being British I find babies or young children with pierced ears totally bleurghhh and would no way inflict such pain on my own children, not to mention the general faff they are too young to understand (keeping the wounds clean, remembering to turn the earrings, not getting them caught and tearing the lobe etc..) but here you will see other nationalities who find it quite normal...Ironic that mums complain about their precious babies having to endure horrible sharp needles for vaccinations lol but each to their own !!
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 25 January 2016 - 15:45
http://dubai247.ae/dubai-roads-get-new-speed-limits/ I also read something else somewhere that said they have abandoned the grace amount so now the cameras will go off on the limit...
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 24 January 2016 - 13:50
Also not keen on the new idea of quoting posts across the site as a sort of click bait - look what our ladies are saying about such and such... feels a bit tacky....
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 24 January 2016 - 12:54
Tired of all but the most boring posts getting removed...yes there is elsewhere but suffering similar fate mainly due to the popularity of facebook groups...although the one thing forums offer which facebook can't is anonymity and I've discovered recently by way of a number of extremely unfortunate incidents (thankfully not involving me personally !!) that baring your soul to a few thousand strangers, even in a closed group, can cause no end of trouble.... so maybe the days of the forum aren't quite over yet !! lol
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 24 January 2016 - 12:42
There's a pets section you know where Izzy - feel free to share your story :cool:
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 24 January 2016 - 12:39
PAW PALS [url=https://www.facebook.com/pawpalsdxb/?fref=ts'>Facebook Paw Pals[/url'> http://www.pawpals.ae/ Since we are genuine posters and Izzy has contributed 'immensely' to this board in the past, and she was the first to get 5 stars which was deserving of a prize, please admin keep this thread as a kind gesture to help kick start her business. If you really care about Izzy I'd recommend removing your original post - it's doing her no favours....
 
 
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