HereComesTheSun | ExpatWoman.com
 

HereComesTheSun

HereComesTheSun
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 18:19
Is there a particular reason why you're interested in Sun and Sand, but not Golf House? I generally find S&S to have a very poor range of stock, and what they do have is usually overpriced. Golf House all the way for me.
HereComesTheSun
544
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 15:05
My friend in Oz posted her ticket condition for a concert saying "The band does not want guests without their tops on. If you arrive without a top you will be refused entry. If you remove your top during the concert you will be asked to leave." I mean, everything changes in increments. So while one may not believe that their just above the knee skirt is inappropriate, remember than in a few years it'll be an inch shorter as just above the knee will be conservative, then another inch, then another, to the point when it has to be told 'you must wear clothes'. I mean, when did we become animals that we need be told to wear clothing? But incrementally more and more became acceptable. If there weren't ppl digging their heels into keeping conservative norms then who knows what would become. This certainly isn't a new thing; plenty of women were going topless at concerts as far back as the 60s, and we're not all now walking around naked as a result.
HereComesTheSun
544
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 13:44
Here's a breakdown of the state of play in Europe: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13038095
HereComesTheSun
544
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 13:23
I actually think Europe is less tolerent than the UAE on things such as dress code since so many countries in Europe are pushing to ban the headscalf. Really? Can you name some of them please? France bans headscarves in any public place of work or school. In Holland there are many cases of girls being refused to attend schools because the school claims to be a catholic school and the girl doesn't fit the picture. It's hardly 'so many countries' though, is it? The main target in Europe is the full-face veil, not the simple headscarf.
HereComesTheSun
544
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 13:17
I actually think Europe is less tolerent than the UAE on things such as dress code since so many countries in Europe are pushing to ban the headscalf. Really? Can you name some of them please?
HereComesTheSun
544
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 12:23
I agree that if you just write 'bed', expect the question 'which brand!' But the rest is up to the buyer to find out with google as it isn't a store, it's the cheaper way to buy/sell so don't expect to have to get/give store standards. Whenever I sell anything on Dubizzle I simply Google the original specs and then copy & paste them into the advert. It makes dealing with over-inquisitive buyers very easy - "It's all there in the advert, so refer to that and call me back." Without even giving the brand name in this advert it would have been impossible for the OP to have done any of her own research on the product in advance of the call, so what on earth did the seller expect?
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 11:57
I don't think there is anything wrong in negotiating the price, in fact I think it's normal when purchasing second-had goods ! Don't think the OP did anything wrong at all ! Sounds like it was a very badly written advert if the caller had to ask what brand it was and how much they usually retail for. If the seller didn't want to have to answer any questions about the product, she should have put as much detail in the advert as possible. If I simply put an advert saying "Phone for Sale - AED600", I'd expect to have to field a few questions about it. Having said that, asking for a discount because you have to get a taxi would annoy me. I don't mind haggling over the price when I'm selling as it's just the way things are done over here, but using that excuse would immediately get my back up. A simple "Are you flexible on the price?" would suffice. The buyers on Dubizzle can be so annoying though. I had one guy offering me way below my asking price at 1pm on the day I listed the item and expecting me to hold it for him until the following evening. I told him he needs to join the real world. Another asked me what kind of warranty I'd offer him. I just put the phone down on that particular idiot.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 November 2012 - 16:45
Just seen these on Dubizzle: http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/tickets-vouchers/concerts/2012/11/19/jennifer-lopez-general-tickets-for-cheap-2/?back=ZHViYWkuZHViaXp6bGUuY29tL3NlYXJjaC8%2Fa2V5d29yZHM9TG9wZXomaXNfYmFzaWNfc2VhcmNoX3dpZGdldD0xJmlzX3NlYXJjaD0x&pos=1
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 November 2012 - 12:52
We went with Axa after the TECOM fire. It was around AED 650 for about AED 75,000 in total coverage. All done online, all very easy. Obviously you can spend more for greater coverage as it's completely flexible.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 November 2012 - 11:44
Why couldn't she just say: "Excuse me, can someone serve me please?" The member of staff obviously shouldn't have reacted the way he did, but she was never going to get great customer service with the "Oi, get off your fat lazy backside and come here" approach. Sounds like both sides involved in this situation have got terrible attitude problems.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 November 2012 - 17:16
Booking.com will match any rate you find elsewhere, meaning their own rates are extremely competitive. However, I find that the hotel's own websites are the best these days, especially if you're booking well in advance as they usually have very good 'early bird' deals on.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 November 2012 - 17:14
There was a similar one after the recent Enrique Iglesias concert, and I'm sure I read that he only showed his face for a few minutes. This one might be different, but I would lower your expectations just in case.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 November 2012 - 15:02
The quality problems over here stem from a number of widespread issues that impacted residential construction during the boom times: - The over-promotion of under-qualified staff at management level, and a reliance on incompetent labour on the ground (quantity over quality). - Impossibly tight time constraints, which meant many developments went up far too quickly. - Rampant corruption.
HereComesTheSun
544
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EW GURU
Latest post on 18 November 2012 - 14:44
Sorry to say this, but for a new country, I would say that the standards are quite high. The construction standards here are undeniably appalling, and not helped by the highly flammable cladding that is used on many of the towers.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 15 November 2012 - 01:04
No I wouldn't settle for it. In our building the rule is that noise is considered excessive if it can be heard within one of the adjacent apartments. This is clearly the situation in your case, so you are not being at all unreasonable. I'd complain to security, then to the building management, and then to the police. People need to understand that they can't behave like that if they live in a shared building; it's just not fair.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 November 2012 - 15:38
We just bypass them these days and go straight to the actual vendor. They will all be prepared to extend the same deal directly to you and there's no hanging around waiting. In fact we did just that with a new phone this morning.
HereComesTheSun
544
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 November 2012 - 11:13
With regard the 12 month notice, does anyone know if the LL can give this at any point or does it have to be done at the expiry of the current contract? It can be given at any time, but it will not apply until the next contract begins.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 November 2012 - 11:11
Everything CBinDubai says is correct as I understand it. I went through all of this a few months ago and it was certainly the case then, as I was advised by RERA. The thing is, though, I don't see how this law is workable. Assuming he waits for a while, how would you know if it was back on the market without going back every week to check who's living there? Besides, you would have already moved out. Could you really be bothered with the hassle of bringing a case against him? Also, my understanding (and I may be wrong) is that the 12 months' notice must be done via notary public. A simple letter or email is not legally binding.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 November 2012 - 11:39
We used these guys: http://www.continentaluae.net/Handyman_Services.html I think it was AED150 per hour and they did a good job.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 November 2012 - 11:12
She clearly means that this is the upside of a very bad situation, and she's right. People who litter are the lowest of the low, but this selfish attitude is so entrenched among certain sections of society over here that you may as well look at the positives it creates rather than get upset about something you have no control over. If you go to this beach at night / early morning - you will see that those creating the mess / leaving rubbish are on the whole Philippine and Indian nationals. - those on low incomes. I don't really see what that has to do with it. Maybe that's the case on that particular beach, but I've seen plenty of 'rich' people who are equally as inconsiderate in this country. It's terrible no matter who does it and I wish it didn't happen at all, but the very slight silver lining is that someone somewhere is able to benefit from it.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 November 2012 - 11:04
She clearly means that this is the upside of a very bad situation, and she's right. People who litter are the lowest of the low, but this selfish attitude is so entrenched among certain sections of society over here that you may as well look at the positives it creates rather than get upset about something you have no control over.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 November 2012 - 21:45
Sounds like you should get a Kindle Fire HD or a Google Nexus 7. Both are getting rave reviews in the UK. They're smaller than the iPad so more portable, much much cheaper and just as capable performance wise. I've got an iPad and love it, but my next purchase will be one of the above.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 November 2012 - 15:03
I thought owners paid as a percentage of the total value of the property, not a percentage of the rental value. But if you need to know the rental value, you could just check RERA's rent calculator.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 November 2012 - 09:30
They go around every 30 mins and the crossing takes about 10 mins. But you have to book, and the earlier the better. Give their reservations desk a call and they'll advise on best times and availability. Fortunately, the bars at either end are both fantastic and lovely places to have a pre- or post-dinner drink, which gives you plenty of flexibility regarding boat times. Enjoy.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 November 2012 - 12:50
The huge sports shop near the cinema in Ibn Battuta has quite a lot of cycling gear.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 November 2012 - 11:15
Thanks, excellent find! I see it stipulates that the landlord is prohibited from stopping services and utilities that benefit the tenant, it makes me wonder in the light of what is happening with the garbage collection problem in the Springs and Meadows. Reading this it would seem that the developer is flying in the face of the law. These laws only govern the relationship between landlord and tenant. Developers, presumably, have their own set of laws governing their relationships with landlords.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 November 2012 - 11:12
Remember that this law was amended in 2008. Both are linked below: http://www.awf.ae/law-26-2007.html http://www.awf.ae/law-33-2008.html
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 November 2012 - 19:13
We used the handyman service from www.continentalUAE.net when we moved in. They put up all our lights, pictures, curtains etc and told us to give them a call when we move out to take it all down and do the necessary touch ups and painting. Not used them for that yet, but we were happy with the job they did for us.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 November 2012 - 11:34
Do u know the big NBD bank on the corner behind MoE? If you continue up that street away from MoE you will come to Barsha Mall. Glad to hear there is a Daiso there. They are brilliant for bits n pieces. I do know there yes, thank you so much. I used to work near Lamcy and miss Daiso! i can spend hours in there! There's also one in Ibn Battuta and the Oasis Centre, in case you didn't already know.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 November 2012 - 11:18
I once (late at night) went to a shisha bar in the Madinat, where we sat outside with lovely views and alcoholic beverages were also served. I can't remember exactly where it was, except it was above the waterside and I don't know if it was the Koubba bar I mentioned below. Does anyone else know? I remember that one too, did it have big cushions and a comfy seating area? Don't remember big cushions, but there were lots of sofas and armchairs and low tables.. I do remember it but cannot for the life of me remember the name Definitely sounds like Koubba, as it has shisha, alcohol, and a big comfy area under a large cabana in the middle of the terrace. The terrace overlooks the canals, with Pier Chic directly ahead and the Burj Al Arab to the right. It's a great spot for watching the sunset. <em>edited by HereComesTheSun on 08/11/2012</em>
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 November 2012 - 12:15
We use the one in Ibn Battuta that does all the on-site tailoring for the clothes shops there. It's at the back of Persia Court. Go into the corridor that leads to the toilets between Nautica and The Athlete's Foot. Turn left at the end (it says Staff Only, but go through that door anyway) and the tailor is right there in front of you. It looks like a bit of a sweatshop but the guys in there are great at what they do and all the Ibn Battuta shops use them. It's around AED 20 a piece (skirts, dresses, shorts, jeans, shirts) and they will usually be ready within 3 or 4 days. They're open til about 10pm as well, so ideal for after work. If you zoom in on this map, it will appear as a pair of scissors between shops 104 and 105: [url=http://www.ibnbattutamall.com/Directory/Directoryone.html'>link[/url'>
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 November 2012 - 01:04
You can usually negotiate a penalty clause for early termination to be included in the contract. Mine is two months' rent.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 November 2012 - 00:24
It's quite simple really - the landlord must give you 12 months' notice in order for you to vacate for the reason of him selling the property. That means that you as a tenant come with the property if he wishes to sell and they must compensate you if you agree to waive your rights. Familiarise yourself with Dubai Law 26 of 2007 and Dubai Law 33 of 2008, and formulate your response accordingly. Call RERA or the Rent Committe if you want any confirmation of these laws (they are both surprisingly very helpful), but the law is 100% behind you in this case. I recently went through something very similar and the landlord backed down once the law was quoted to him. So many of them are trying it on at the moment, and they're relying on people not knowing what their rights are.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 November 2012 - 16:49
I don't think Mr. R would make good president.It seems he is all about developing further financial and political elite in the country. Indeed. This sums him up nicely: [url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A7BAiIbCcAAIeLM.jpg'>link[/url'> <em>edited by HereComesTheSun on 06/11/2012</em>
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 November 2012 - 10:43
As Gege said, they must give 90 days' notice to change any aspect of the contract. My concern in your position would be that it sounds like this issue wasn't actually stipulated in the original contract. Call their bluff by replying with something like this: [i'>As per Article 14 of Dubai Law no. 33 of 2008 (amending Article 14 of Dubai Law no. 26 of 2007), 90 days' notice must be given by either party to amend any of the rental conditions previously agreed to. As we are now already within that 90-day period, I do not accept the change to the conditions of rental that you have proposed.[/i'> You can read more about the two laws in question here: http://www.awf.ae/law-26-2007.html http://www.awf.ae/law-33-2008.html
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 November 2012 - 21:54
Cerruti isn't a watchmaker. It's a 'fashion' watch so you're paying for the brand and the way it looks. It's the same for any of the 'designer' watches - Armani, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, DKNY, Diesel etc etc. These companies don't actually make watches, they just license their brand out to standard mass manufacturers in Asia and then charge way over the odds for them. The man in the shop is telling the truth, but as long as you both like it, don't let it bother you.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 November 2012 - 15:24
Jamie's Italian (King's Street), Bem Brasil (Northern Quarter and Deansgate), San Carlo (King's Street West)
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 November 2012 - 12:21
I am in Bay Central. Just moved in and got an amazing deal! 70K for marina view on the 12th floor. One bedroom. Assuming it's the same one, I had a look at your apartment in August. Very nice. When did you move in? I hope you didn't get it through FHS, because it was them that showed it to us and they've since done a runner along with Marks Falcon. <em>edited by HereComesTheSun on 01/11/2012</em>
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 November 2012 - 10:13
We used to live around the Yacht Club area and loved it. It's finished so there's no construction going on, easy (walking) access to nearby bars/restaurants, supermarkets (Al Maya/Carrefour/Waitrose), pharmacies, cinema and shops (Marina Mall), SZR (both directions), JLT metro station, etc. The Marina itself is right on your doorstep, so good for walking/jogging, everything at JBR is just a 5-10 minute walk over the nearest bridge, and JLT is just over the metro walkway. Traffic was never an issue going out in the morning, and was never much of a problem in the evening due to the proximity of the SZR entrance/exit. There's also a constant availability of taxis. I'd definitely recommend it. There's a nice Emarr development there called Al Majara, but plenty of other towers to choose from as well. Just have a walk around. I always find this map useful for when scanning Dubizzle: http://www.dubaimarinarealty.com/images/DubaiMarinaBuildingMap.jpg edited by HereComesTheSun on 01/11/2012 <em>edited by HereComesTheSun on 01/11/2012</em>
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 October 2012 - 17:44
I was in Virgin MoE yesterday and they only had the Kindle Fire not the Kindle Fire HD, which is what I was looking for.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 October 2012 - 09:34
I had mine done at Vision Express next to Debenhams on the ground floor. No complaints.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 October 2012 - 17:57
Single guys don't randomly 'hook up' with other single guys while out in a bar/club on a Thursday or Friday night; it just doesn't happen. He'll need some sort of 'in' first. Tell him to start watching football/rugby in some of the more popular sports bars, even if he's not interested in either. He'll soon start speaking to plenty of single guys that way, then they'll introduce him to their friends and it snowballs from there. Any sort of hobby/interest will have the same effect, but the above is the easiest. He certainly won't get anywhere by hanging around bars and trying to chat to random strangers on a normal night out as most simply won't be interested.
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 October 2012 - 15:21
I've used Arabian Dubai a few times for various sports events/concerts in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi and never had any problems with them. <em>edited by HereComesTheSun on 29/10/2012</em>
HereComesTheSun
544
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 October 2012 - 15:15
My friend just walked in and said her landlord called her and asked if she's heard about the Marks Falcon scam because she used Marks Falcon, then I googled it and found this http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/loophole-hits-dubai-victims-of-dh80m-marks-falcon-fhs-property-scam She is so worried now....any idea what will happen to tenants? She didn't 'use' Marks Falcon, the landlord did so it's his responsibility. Sadly, the first reaction of so many landlords in these recent cases has been to immediately shift blame onto the tenants, when the tenants never had any choice in the matter as it was the landlord who chose to deal with Marks Falcon/FHS Properties in the first place. Fortunately, our landlord realised this and told us not to worry as we've done nothing wrong and it's 100% his responsibility. He's now pursuing his money through the sponsor of these two companies and through the deposits they had lodged with RERA. Search for 'FHS Properties Scam' on Facebook and you will find LOTS of information about this issue. Providing her documents are all in order, she shouldn't have anything to worry about. Her number-one priority should be to register with Ejari if she's not already done so, although it might already be too late to register Marks Falcon contracts with them. Does your friend want to stay for another year or move on at the end of the contract? If she wants to stay, I'd advise her to negotiate some sort of agreement with the landlord on this AED15,000 just to keep the relationship amicable and then agree to renew with him directly for the following year. Perhaps offer him AED7,500 (bear in mind that she has now lost her original deposit). If she doesn't want to stay for another year, I'd advise her to sit tight and ignore his demands, because she certainly isn't liable for any of it. Edit: And if she wants to stay but doesn't care about keeping things 'amicable', she can just ignore his demands and pay the same rent she is currently paying on renewal for the second year. This was the advice given last week by the Rent Committee to someone on the Facebook page I mentioned earlier. It's never helpful to be in conflict with your landlord though. <em>edited by HereComesTheSun on 29/10/2012</em>
 
 
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