Doubting Thomas | ExpatWoman.com
 

Doubting Thomas

Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 29 May 2014 - 09:29
Is it legal? I'm only getting her 6 hrs a week.... yes very illegal, there is a very big fine, deportation and jail..... everyone will suffer the consequences, the sponsor could be jail, deportation, the maid will be thrown in jail and deported and also the person using that illegal maid too. only legal way is to sponsor or use an agency Very illegal? Is that like being very pregnant? LOL LOL !! as opposed to a bit ? How can something be a bit illegal? Is this not a black / white thing? I was thinking more of being a bit pregnant...
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Latest post on 29 May 2014 - 09:25
Is it legal? I'm only getting her 6 hrs a week.... yes very illegal, there is a very big fine, deportation and jail..... everyone will suffer the consequences, the sponsor could be jail, deportation, the maid will be thrown in jail and deported and also the person using that illegal maid too. only legal way is to sponsor or use an agency Very illegal? Is that like being very pregnant? LOL LOL !! as opposed to a bit ?
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 22:25
http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/hiring-illegal-maids-random-checks-on-2014-04-27-1.547112
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 22:18
Is it legal? I'm only getting her 6 hrs a week.... No
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 22:06
If they won't be able to get back to base before change over they won't take you..Personally, I don't think that's unreasonable.
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 22:01
oh nooooooo...please don't mention names :( we've been using it for 4 years but it stopped working a few months ago...too many people mentioning it on public forums, probably !!
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 21:54
www.careem.com instead of taxi problems! Gets expensive it you have to do that all the time though...we've never had any problems with regular taxis...
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 21:49
My 10 year old still goes out to play after school..What is it you have a problem with exactly ? The distance or the heat ? My eldest son cycled to school and back for 4 years, a distance of about a mile and I see loads of kids cycling as we drive home... I doubt that this woman would be forcing her child to do this if it was causing him distress...my 10 year old has a tendency to go bright red the second he's out in the sun and always looks very hot and bothered even when he feels fine... I think if it was necessary for them to find a different way to get to school they would have already done so... You could always just stop and offer them a lift, then at least you might get to find out why they do this..
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 16:32
Take them home :D
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 09:38
are you not going to send her AED 10? sham on you DT :\: LOL !! I don't even know how to :D but no, even if I did know how even I can spot a scam !
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 09:37
you know i heard somewhre that the chemicals in sunscreen are actually causing skin cancers.... yes, there has been a lot of information about it in recent years - some brands are worse than others and some brands don't offer the correct protection that they claim on the label... my point was that Admin haven't updated the ticker bar yet !! lol
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 09:31
Thanks ladies !! Yes I knew it was a scam (though I thought it was the one where I've been sent credit, rather than asking for it), was just curious that I couldn't get it on google translate..so what language IS it then ? lol <em>edited by Doubting Thomas on 28/05/2014</em>
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 09:26
I'd say, if you have kids here then yes..I know quite a few ladies who don't drive but none of them have school age children. Even if you can get them onto the school bus (waiting lists, questionable safety and hugely expensive) there will still be play dates, birthday parties, all sorts of other things going on with school and you will find the logistics a headache.. Then there's the shopping, unless your husband uses up his free time to take you.. I'd say probably most things you can use a taxi for and we've found them to be mostly ok so without school to worry about, yes you can manage here with one driver. But to answer the bigger question - personally I have no issues with the driving here.. Buy the biggest car you can afford, go out when it's quiet (between 9 and 11 in the mornings or early on Friday) to practice, keep out of the outside lane when you can, keep your speed up with the traffic around you, eyes peeled at all times, expect the unexpected and you'll be fine..you'll end up wondering why you were ever worried... honestly... good luck !
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 09:09
.... was yesterday !!
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 09:07
My son is 10 and still doesn't have one though for the last few months I've let him borrow mine occasionally to play games or watch videos.. He asked for a phone for his birthday last week but we think he is still too young...why do 10 year olds need phones ? We've never had any problems flying with him - stickers and colouring are great. I buy an exercise book with plain paper (only a couple of dhs) and a pack of colours and it keeps him busy plus watching the movie - they usually have fairly new ones that he hasn't seen before... If anything toddlers would be easier to amuse with their favourite toys or books - plus they sleep !! (hopefully !! lol).. But the other posters are right - it doesn't matter what other parents do, all kids are different anyway, all that matters is you do what you feel is best for yours...
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 08:58
Will be sold out by lunchtime !! lol Actually, if anyone's desperate, the lime cordial from Spinneys is much nicer and available most of the time...
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Latest post on 28 May 2014 - 08:54
We had to hand ours in several days early for the school to get visas..never even occurred to me to question it... ETA as I recall, they returned the passport once the visa was done and he took it with him.. <em>edited by Doubting Thomas on 28/05/2014</em>
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 27 May 2014 - 13:54
When you first came on here, I envisioned that your sofa was still wrapped in plastic and had just been delivered so I advised you to pursue exchanging it. Now that I have more details, I am actually really surprised that the store agreed to exchange the sofa. the OP said "just ordered and had delivered.."
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Latest post on 27 May 2014 - 13:48
And on top of all this I actually saw someone post a photo of their female dog on a facebook group asking for a male dog to mate with her because she wants to make "cute" puppies ... I now DT, it's never ending! It seems to be worse than ever, streams of puppies in pet shops, puppies every where! Responsible pet ownership seems to be very rare these days. But they got very indignant when met with a negative response and can you believe she said she works as a foster volunteer at one of the dog charities !!
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Latest post on 27 May 2014 - 13:41
I'm confused - we were just going to go by the time on the ticket....
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Latest post on 27 May 2014 - 13:39
And on top of all this I actually saw someone post a photo of their female dog on a facebook group asking for a male dog to mate with her because she wants to make "cute" puppies ...
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Latest post on 26 May 2014 - 17:36
Have you asked at school ? There are two Russian mums in our class and more across the school i'm sure..
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Latest post on 26 May 2014 - 15:25
Demand that they let you exchange it and offer to pay the transport fees for the extra work incurred? Why should they ? It's not their mistake ... edited by Doubting Thomas on 25/05/2014 Have you ever heard of an exchange policy? Even the stingiest stores here tend to give you three days to exchange unused merchandise if you change your mind... Yes, I've heard of a returns policy - they have them in the UK but they are not a legal requirement.. Consumer law in the UK says quite clearly that unless the shop has a returns policy (and like I said, they are not legally required to do so), they are not obliged to exchange items unless they are faulty or not fit for purpose... Could it be argued that a wrong-sided sofa is not fit for purpose ? No idea...And even if there is a returns policy the time limit is usually 28 days. I appreciate we are not in the UK - maybe the consumer laws are more generous here...but as lots of posters have suggested, you could try contacting the Consumer Rights people.
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Latest post on 26 May 2014 - 11:04
It would be nice to just to have a carrerfour hypermarket in another location. The main reason I ever go to MOE is for Carrefour. They have one in MCC and Deira City Centre and smaller ones all over - Satwa and Oasis mall plus the new one just opened at Motor City
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Latest post on 26 May 2014 - 00:04
Demand that they let you exchange it and offer to pay the transport fees for the extra work incurred? Why should they ? It's not their mistake ... edited by Doubting Thomas on 25/05/2014 As ever, a helpful posting DT......not sorry
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Latest post on 25 May 2014 - 23:12
Hi does anyone know where I can buy these other than get them made at Satwa? Many thanks Perhaps ask the nursery - my son has just graduated (from 6th form !!) and the school organised the gowns, we just paid !!
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Latest post on 25 May 2014 - 21:11
Demand that they let you exchange it and offer to pay the transport fees for the extra work incurred? Why should they ? It's not their mistake ... <em>edited by Doubting Thomas on 25/05/2014</em>
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Latest post on 25 May 2014 - 21:07
I've often wondered this too - especially when you see people selling things on Facebook that look shabby... "Excellent condition but sun damaged", "child's puzzle - good condition with one piece missing"... child's shoes that show more signs of wear than some I've thrown away, even too worn to donate to charity .... What type of person sells these things and more to the point who buys them ? lol But if you're able to make a few dirhams from your old tat why not ? as Jessp says, 15 dhs is a decent amount to some people.. The OP should feel fortunate that she doesn't need to do this...
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Latest post on 25 May 2014 - 20:59
just ordered and had delivered a lovely leather sofa - but silly me ordered a right hand corner unit and not the left and the company wont let me return ;-( any ideas swap with the house next door ? :)
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Latest post on 25 May 2014 - 20:50
Do you ever just feel fed up with your DH or dislike them? Feeling that at the moment :-( No Hope you feel better soon :)
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Latest post on 25 May 2014 - 14:26
Just to carry on the thread a little longer, I went for my haircut today and I do not have ruined hair - yay! It was all in all a fine experience. However, I did not tip. I know some people are of the opinion that this is possibly the worst thing ever. However, I am a tight northerner!!!!! I have spent my life in small towns in the UK. People do not tip hairdressers etc. Therefore, I actually have no experience of doing so. When I moved here I had only experienced tipping in posh restaurants so I am on a whole new learning curve here! Can someone who tips hairdressers please tell me what you do? Do you just give it to them and say "lovely haircut, I've just paid for it but here's a load more for you personally" ?!! Or if tipping a hair washer do you take money in your hand to the sink so you can pass it over to them as they towel dry your hair? Sorry but in all seriousness I would have felt very awkward doing this. I couldn't see an opportunity to tip the hair washer as she disappeared after washing my hair and I have no idea what her name was. I watched someone else leave the washing basins to see if they passed money over but didn't see it. I may sound a bit dense but new experiences and all that!!! When I pay I put my change back in my purse then take out the tip money and hand it to the stylist..if i'm also tipping the hairwasher I do the same and say here's something for the hair washer or whatever.. I have no idea why I've always tipped - I can't remember the first time I had to pay for my own hair.. I think it's because I feel that i'm paying the salon so it's nice for the stylist to actually receive something for her efforts (yes I know she gets paid !! lol).But I see it as a service and I've always been brought up to tip when receiving a service..(unless the experience was rubbish in which case they don't deserve a tip)..Maybe it's a southern thing...
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Latest post on 24 May 2014 - 13:05
Thousands of military families have to manage... Personally I hate it when my husband is working away ad he's done so for as long as we've had children, but only for a few weeks at a time here and there.. The worst period was the 12 months he was working here before we decided to move..that was hard for all of us... But all families are different and the effects of an absent parent will be different for everyone..
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Latest post on 23 May 2014 - 18:46
Why would anyone thumb down the posting of information that could save the OP from receiving a hefty fine or worse.. ??
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Latest post on 23 May 2014 - 15:26
I've had that happen to me, but it taught me a valuable lesson too that whatever I put out thr or whoever I'm with while sharing little snippets of my life, what ever gossip I participate in, at the end it's all fair game, I can ask people to respect my privacy but I can not reinforce it, law or not. Hardly fair game when someone tells lies about you though is it ? ...
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Latest post on 23 May 2014 - 15:12
I have made an appointment for my first ever Dubai haircut. However, I would like to ask people's opinions on tipping. Are you meant to do this here or do you just pay and go as in the UK? I don't want to make a faux pas here!!! I'm from the UK and have always tipped at the hairdresser - don't know anyone who doesn't !! I also tip here, usually some for the hair washer as well.
Doubting Thomas
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Latest post on 23 May 2014 - 13:20
Have you completed the sponsorship paperwork for this maid? If she is not sponsored by you or through an agency then she is an illegal maid - if she is in the country have you spoken to the previous sponsor? found out why they let her go if she is illegal and caught working you may face a 50,000aed fine - maids are not allowed to have their own visa Be very careful here - if she is not under your sponsorship you have no idea about her past - whether absconded from her previous sponsorship? Whether there were problems etc I read in the press that the potential fine has recently been doubled to 100,000
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Latest post on 23 May 2014 - 11:30
Here is another interesting article.... http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-residents-warned-over-social-media-rumours-2014-05-18-1.549457
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Latest post on 23 May 2014 - 10:14
just think by the time she gives birth she will be 44 so to think she will be mid 60s at its 21st just cant see it Can't see what jessp? Your sister happy and proud as she celebrates her child's 21st? That's a lovely image to me. What would you rather picture, her mid 60's and full of regret for not taking the chance to have children while she still could? Stop being so judgey about what you consider the ideal circumstances to have a child. Age is just one of many factors and not the be all and end all. Too old, too young, too fat, too thin, too selfish, the list could go on. If a woman is physically able to have a child, wants a child and can support that child then who is anyone to judge? well done Daza for saying what I suspect many of us were thinking (hence the long gap since Jessp's last post)..I didn't want to say it but to me it seems it would be a lot nicer if she could just support her sister and be happy for her...
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Latest post on 22 May 2014 - 22:10
the best thing we ever done - we pay less in mortgage than rent and we dont have to be at a greedy landlord what happens to it when you retire ? Or are you not expats ?
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Latest post on 22 May 2014 - 17:51
I've never worn jeans here and I feel hot just looking at anyone who does !! lol
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Latest post on 22 May 2014 - 17:00
I always think the younger the better! You don't wanna be 64 when your child turns 21.... You'll be more like a grandparent than a parent to them! I'll be 63 !! Kids don't care - they'll see you as their parent, they won't see you as a grandparent...mine has never said anything to me about being older than some of the other mummies but actually, there are lots of others who are my age or older....Age is just a number and I know some women who are old before their time, others who are young at heart for ever !! lol Health plays a big part I think - the mum in her late 40's who alledgedly struggles to keep up may have medical issues, who knows ? Of course you will struggle with young kids if you are in poor health but that can happen for young parents too... I agree with Izzy, the only person this should matter to is the OP's sister and her partner.. I would never criticise a person's choices, it's none of my business.
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Latest post on 21 May 2014 - 22:50
Construction happens literally overnight here !! Couldn't say if it will be 100 % complete but i'm sure it will be completed enough to function ...
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Latest post on 21 May 2014 - 22:31
Not at all !! I was 42 when I had my youngest...
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Latest post on 21 May 2014 - 22:16
I had someone copying my profile photo on FB and making a fake account with it. Didn't know the person, we were part of a same group and she started slandering me, saying I was a fake Muslim and a Mossad agent. Some people have way too much imagination. I don't have any pics up at all. I also don't get why people think it's ok to post pics of other people or with people in it on FB without their consent. Forget about tagging. Hope you get things resolved soon, Doubting. Must be awful. That's really bad Marroosh, what did you do ? Sadly, there's no resolving my problem - the woman has been telling so many lies I reckon she believes them herself now !! And once someone has lied about you to people and they believe it there's no rectifying it... All I can do is ignore and continue to be the better person...
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Latest post on 21 May 2014 - 20:59
As someone who has been on the receiving end of a particularly unpleasant smear campaign for the past few months, I'm finding the defamation reference interesting... Sorry to hear this DT. Hope all is well now. Nope, afraid not, but thanks :)
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Latest post on 21 May 2014 - 20:36
Was just going to say the same, and dragging up 8 old threads, some from last year, to advertise your 'friend's' business is as DT says not going to endear you any. But while we are on the topic of skill candy I cannot find any address or contact details on the website. You might tell your 'friend' that does not inspire any confidence when you are offering a ecommerce platform to process money between sellers and buyers. And none of the required licencing/registration details either...
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Latest post on 21 May 2014 - 20:06
@ Nayls85 a friend of mine has started up an online site to sell/buy skills... you could think about advertising on there? www.skillcandy.com good luck... :-) i'm sure you're only trying to help but spamming doesn't go down too well on here and if anything will most likely have a negative impact on the business... just saying...
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Latest post on 21 May 2014 - 17:40
As someone who has been on the receiving end of a particularly unpleasant smear campaign for the past few months, I'm finding the defamation reference interesting...
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Latest post on 20 May 2014 - 20:31
How many people would say they COULD afford it when their LL tries to increase the rent..? She's lucky you even gave her the choice...
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Latest post on 20 May 2014 - 16:50
I am sure you have already looked at this and it certainly has got a bit more complicated than it used to be with the straightforward 90 day rule : http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/international/residence.htm Why don't you just get someone in the UK to do it? e.g. The Tax Team. Have you or anyone else used them? I am looking for advice prior to finding him resident so we can avoid it not a company to simply do a tax return. As said "Can anyone recommend an expert in Dubai or UK on UK residency so that DH can get some professional advice regarding how much time he can spend here without being subject to UK residency and tax rules etc.?" We think based on information we have he can spend up to 90 days as he will be classed an 'arriver' and has no more than 3 ties to the UK (possibly less). But we would like to employ a professional to give us some concrete advice. So has anyone had sought any advice like this from financial advisors/accountant/lawyer in UK or Dubai that they can recommend please? well, i'm not an "expert" as you requested, but my understanding was that he can stay in the UK as long as he likes, it's how many days he WORKS that counts...
 
 
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