Lolacat | ExpatWoman.com
 

Lolacat

Lolacat
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Latest post on 09 February 2014 - 20:58
I can highly recommend Diverse. They do musical theatre classes which involve an hour each of singing, drama and dance. I think this is the closest to Stagecoach. They are very professional and train the students brilliantly. The students are even offered chances to perform and earn a bit of money on occasions too. Second this and you will probably find it stronger more like a top drama/musical theater school in the UK .
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Latest post on 09 February 2014 - 20:54
Hi ladies, Do you know if there are any school following any of the above methods AFTER Kindergarten / Foundation Stages as we'e looking for alternatives for our children. If not, which schools do you advise for an education that is more arts-led and with a stronger component on the kids skills and talents rather than a more academic one. Thanks. If you don't what academics then look at any of the IB type schools for primary.
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Latest post on 09 February 2014 - 20:52
Why? It's so bad for you and sooooo last year, this year it's the 2/5 diet.
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Latest post on 09 February 2014 - 20:51
Dislike them all and can not stand it when a company who is advertising an educational component has massive grammatical and spelling mistakes or Americanism in their advertising/titles etc. What's wrong with "The little peoples Nursery?" or something of that type? Say what you mean and what you want parents to feel about the place.
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Latest post on 09 February 2014 - 13:20
Hi Everyone, Anyone had any experience of this and can offer any advice on treatment, one heel is much worse than the other and I have a swelling in the area, really getting tough now to walk my dog 1st thing in the morning, then it eases up, I want to avoid surgery at all costs... Many thanks Dolly doo, don't even worry about surgery! Get yourself booked in to Up and Running on AL Wasl road and they will be able to correctly diagnose you, treat you and help manage the pain. Don't bother wasting our time on other things or treatments, just get yourself there.
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Latest post on 09 February 2014 - 13:19
Give up caffeine. Seriously? What a ridiculous comment of no help what so ever.
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Latest post on 06 February 2014 - 11:36
Has this actually been made a rule or is it 7 days ? It is definitely a rule and the signs are posted when you enter the Jumeirah Beach Park on the Ladies Days. The guard also looks inside your car... Male guards looking inside females cars.......would love to see some of the responses.
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Latest post on 06 February 2014 - 11:32
I have to say that having recently found this pet shop i am mighty impressed with their policy of not selling cats or dogs. I also loved they had a pet stray cat in the shop, they certainly have my business from now on!
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Latest post on 06 February 2014 - 11:29
But what right do you have to use the facilities if they have not been paid for? She paid the rent in good faith. It's the property owner that is the trouble. They should allow her to move out but put a block on renting of the property until all fees are paid for. In fact, owners should be required to have an NOC before they rent their property - after all, you need an NOC for everything else! It's irrelevant if she paid the rent in good faith - this is nothing to do with the Owners of Burj Khalifa - they have not been paid and they have every right to withdraw services. I agree with you on all other points BUT tennants have to at least share responsibility, it's not a new issue and it's the responsibility of tennants to see proof of payment prior to signing any leases... Withdrawl of servics is not made for being a little late, this is made when you are years in arrears.... edited by IzzyOnTheSeat on 06/02/2014 I disagree the agents should be doing the leg work not tenants and the tenant is very much the innocent victim in this. In Dubai, you would have to be a complete idiot to trust an agent. And the tennant needs to take personal responsibility - they sign the lease, they need to demand proof of payment before they do so. But nothing should be about trust when it is about business, there should be criteria, paperwork and responsibility, otherwise why is the agent earning money? A service should be held accountable, other services are. If any agent (and a highly reputable one at that) is handling a lease why on earth would a prospective tenant be checking financial stuff of the owner?
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Latest post on 06 February 2014 - 11:26
Has this actually been made a rule or is it 7 days ?
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Latest post on 06 February 2014 - 11:22
But what right do you have to use the facilities if they have not been paid for? She paid the rent in good faith. It's the property owner that is the trouble. They should allow her to move out but put a block on renting of the property until all fees are paid for. In fact, owners should be required to have an NOC before they rent their property - after all, you need an NOC for everything else! It's irrelevant if she paid the rent in good faith - this is nothing to do with the Owners of Burj Khalifa - they have not been paid and they have every right to withdraw services. I agree with you on all other points BUT tennants have to at least share responsibility, it's not a new issue and it's the responsibility of tennants to see proof of payment prior to signing any leases... Withdrawl of servics is not made for being a little late, this is made when you are years in arrears.... edited by IzzyOnTheSeat on 06/02/2014 I disagree the agents should be doing the leg work not tenants and the tenant is very much the innocent victim in this.
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Latest post on 06 February 2014 - 11:19
Knowing a lady who cannot re-enter the UAE for helping women like this, I would say....tread carefully. I don't mind. Right is right. Playing devil's advocate, how do you know that this is true and not just a line to try and kidnap the child? What is the truth? You would be pretty brave in this region to write such untruths on a public easily traceable forum. To me the thread content relayed; deeply depressed, frustrated and in need of help. Interesting that all posts under that name are now *posts* rather than username. I do hope she is ok.
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Latest post on 06 February 2014 - 11:16
The concept is good but with all technology if it is not being continually updated and correctly used then it is a disaster. You can not personalize our one correctly and the resources are a pain to open when using microsoft. For Alerts and urgent info i still believe the SMS system is far more effective and reaches a wider audience, this was well proven with the recent school closures within our class. Not everyone has iphones, nor wants them.
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 15:50
Call the British Embassy and see if they have anyone who can come and speak to you and advise how they can get you out of here, do you have your passport and one for the baby?
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 15:25
Personally I think this will stop the "lady of the Manor syndrome" and get people back to reality. If you cant afford to live in a big Villa ...... downsize. Oh the irony! I think you will find most of those have left, most who are living in the big houses do so because they can afford it!
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 15:22
If you are truly scared for your life you must call the police. Do you have any family you can call or message and get their help? What about a neighbour? Do you have any physical injuries that you can report to the police or is this mental abuse?
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 14:36
Thank you all for the sincere words, thoughts, and prayers. He had the scans done this morning, but we will not know anything until Sunday or Monday :( I have scheduled an appt. already with a Dr. Marc Sinclair for a 2nd opinion based on what his original Dr. will tell us once the scans come back. I have heard Sinclair is the best Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon here. Again thank you for the support, it helped so much to come on here after getting home from hosp. and reading all the replies ;) Will post once I know anything........... Can i suggest Dr Eissa Hemrani at City as the best POS IMHO.
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 09:26
I'm all for such an event, just annoyed they should have informed us sooner so we could plan! DD's nursery just e-mailed now that they are closed tomorrow and now I have to scramble and figure out what to do, since DH and I both have work. If they had told us a week ago, could have planned better, thats all :\ People who don't have children in schools/nurseries don't quite understand such things. You can't rest Lolacat, can you. I do understand and have said so before, read my posts. But these things happen in Dubai all the time. Get used to it. Read my posts, no one is debating or needs patronising they are sourcing facts.
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 09:11
I'm all for such an event, just annoyed they should have informed us sooner so we could plan! DD's nursery just e-mailed now that they are closed tomorrow and now I have to scramble and figure out what to do, since DH and I both have work. If they had told us a week ago, could have planned better, thats all :\ People who don't have children in schools/nurseries don't quite understand such things.
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 09:10
Google The Music Box facebook page, they have two locations now and are excellent.
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 09:06
When you have to collect children from school (if schools stay open) or meet children off school buses it is rather critical for people to work out whether they will actually be able to get there. You cannnot just 'wait and see what happens' if you are responsible for others. If I was a non-working mother I might choose to keep my children at home for the day but, as most employers are unlikely to give a day off, it could be a problem for many! I know, but as I said: you don't control it and can't do anything about it. Soo based on your statement parents should be irresponsible and just sit back and wait and see and not try to plan ahead? I wonder how many children you have in various schools in Dubai and what your plan is? All advice is surely appreciated. You are missing the point (mine that is), which is why keep whining about things you have no control about. Posters have been whining for 2 days no, nobody has anything useful to say, nobody has come up with any useful suggestion. IMO the various maps re pretty clear, plan around it and if you can't call the school what's happening. If you have a maid or sitter good for you, if you s don't take a day of. And if you can't you have a problem, but being glued to EW will not solve it. Sorry. As stated to Izzy on the other thread, no one is whinging they are trying to source clear information which if you had read the thread clearly you would see that some information has been very useful and corrected. The GN map is not all that clear and there seems to be a confusion over some road names. Now those road names for some are very important, thanks to EW posters clarification has been sought by someone taking the time to post other news source information. The thread appeared last night, that is not two days..........it would be better if these threads stayed clear of opinion and remained helpful.
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 08:59
Personally, i think it is great for Dubai to host the cycling tour.... But you have to admit, they could have informed everybody just a little earlier though! Why? So you can whinge for longer? It's one day!!!! Actually it is 4 days and rather than twisting this making out people are whinging (which they are not they are trying to source information) why not look at is as people being responsible and actually helping the authorities by keeping out the way and reducing the traffic loads on the road?
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 08:53
Horrendous stuff and ethically wrong, wrong wrong. I suspect such stuff has been going on for years in various labs around the world, but now it is out and legislation needs to come into place to regulate heavily what can and can not be done.
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Latest post on 05 February 2014 - 08:46
When you have to collect children from school (if schools stay open) or meet children off school buses it is rather critical for people to work out whether they will actually be able to get there. You cannnot just 'wait and see what happens' if you are responsible for others. If I was a non-working mother I might choose to keep my children at home for the day but, as most employers are unlikely to give a day off, it could be a problem for many! I know, but as I said: you don't control it and can't do anything about it. Soo based on your statement parents should be irresponsible and just sit back and wait and see and not try to plan ahead? I wonder how many children you have in various schools in Dubai and what your plan is? All advice is surely appreciated.
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Latest post on 04 February 2014 - 20:26
Macmoo, regardless i would travel with a letter from your ex saying you are allowed to travel with your child, certainly if you go to Canada or US you WILL need this. Dubai is unlikely to question but UK border may. I would suggest you contact a solicitor about this as you have many years ahead where your ex could prove to be a pain re travel, and to protect yourself the other way around!
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Latest post on 04 February 2014 - 20:21
Couldn't the schools give an exemption on that day to those who truly cannot get there? Logic? lol
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Latest post on 04 February 2014 - 20:20
The map in National website which is meant to be correct indicates from .meydan and up Al Ain road and along old bypass ie new Emirates road..it loops round Hamdan swim pool then exits off towards Babs AL Sham ie Al Quodra then back down past Ranches. Down Hessa st , so I assume goes along Al Khail from Umm Sequim. Then onto the Palm. Likewise I don't want schools closed but with one child in Oud Metha and one in Silicon Oasis to be collected I worry re getting stuck. I will probably end up keeping the one in Oud Metha home. Typical last minute planning. Thanks for this, will now try and investigate which road is actually being closed , new Emirates or old!
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Latest post on 04 February 2014 - 20:07
Gusncoley, there will be online forums that may prove useful and dependent on results may be able to guide you in the right direction for the best medical care, although i hope this won't be the case. I'm not sure anything anyone says to you at this point is going to help much. I've had some pretty scary misdiagnosis (brain tumour in my then 10 year old) and some scary correct ones with my kids which like you I have just had to deal with. I wish you all the strength in the world for tomorrow and the next couple of days until results come through. Please do seek a second opinion as well and if there is anything untoward. Do talk to your DH and close friends and use them to support you, don't go through this alone nor your DH. xxxxx
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Latest post on 04 February 2014 - 19:55
I can not figure out the Thursday map. DO they mean Emirates road (because that is what the map looks like) or do they mean Sh Mo bin Zayed road? (old emirates road). If you look there are two parallel roads, one would be AL Khail, but what is the other one?? Also does anyone know what time the roads are Closing????? Anon, the only problem with not officially closing schools is that if you don't make it to school the day will be marked as a non attendance day and this can be a big problem for transfers to other schools or school limits on non attendance.
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Latest post on 04 February 2014 - 11:04
I agree with LadyBee - although back in the UK, I see a restrospective view from people who moan consistently about 'oh dear, DH's company not paying housing allowance, school fees, not sponsoring our maid etc' - what on earth did families do prior to moving to Dubai to be able to cope - it really is a laughing stock and 'Hyacinth Bucket' comes into play here generally. I am back in UK and to be honest, never been happier (regardless of being on my own, paying for school fees, no maid, paying a mortgage with no assistance etc etc) - some women really do need to get a perspective on life generally without the 'woe is me' aspect I read so often on this forum. I don not think you can compare a home country that has a social security system in place with being an expat, the jails are full of people who made that mistake.
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 14:10
Actually, I did take a picture. Well whatever you do don't post it anywhere, but maybe go speak to the Head of Security of your community about your concerns, but don't bother with normal security, you need to speak to the Head guy.
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 14:03
Lolacat - basic economics applies here - if no one is willing to pay the rents then they will drop. I don't think dubai is populated by a large percentage of high earning expats. I think there are plenty of people here who do very well, but for the most part the population is made up of mid income earners and bottom end earners. Only the truly well off will be the ones living in the gated communities in large independent villas or the nationalities who buy up tonnes of property and leave it sitting empty. Even if people are on good salaries, a lot of them don't want to waste it paying rent. I know lots of people who could afford bigger or fancier places but would rather save or invest in their children's futures. With due respect a fairly simplistic view of the economics of housing. Dubai is a sound investment for many and a safe haven for many who are willing to pay high rents and have the cash flow to be able to do so. The proportion of "well off" here per capita is one of the highest in the world, the housing market reflects that.
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 13:56
You dont think many companies pay rent? There are entire compounds that are solely rented out and some owned by companies. If, all of a sudden these rented villas were back on the market as companies stopped paying and people could not afford the 300k+ that the companies were paying for them, the price of the villas will soon drop so they were not vacant As for talking about 5 years time and inflation - why are you bringing pay rises into this? Nobody is talking about payrises, this is purely about housing being cut There are hundreds of properties vacant , that argument does not work. A rental allowance is just part of a salary package I can not see why it bothers so many what others earn. Salary is based on the individual, that is a free market and market forces dictate salaries. Take a look a some of the bigger companies, they provide housing but their salaries are not high end and may well be below as a total what someone without housing earns. Many companies just give one salary which the employee decides how to use. Inflation and pay rises are totally linked to the discussion. This is a dynamic growing city and to attract certain professionals, packages need to be strong, there's no fair or equality about it, it's how it is. A few compounds rented by some companies does not dictate the housing market, the economy does. I believe it's very naive to think that the stoppage of rental allowances will reduce the rental market prices.
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 13:38
Dubai College and DESC are the best UK Curriculum secondary schools in Dubai. And JC which is very strong.
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 13:32
I was in the park with the kids yesterday and I noticed this man who was behaving very strangely. Yes, anyone should be able to use the park whether or not they have children, even lone men. However, his behaviour was very odd. Firstly, he was sitting very close to a group of children, watching them intently. First of all I thought he may be a parent, but as well as the fact that none of the children were of his ethnic group, he then went and sat and observed another group of chidlren. Then he kept going into the alleys and coming back again. He also kept standing on the benches and looking into people's gardens. There was one that had children playing but with the back door open and he kept peering into this garden. There was another parent there with his kids and I asked him if he knew who the man was with, he just said he had noticed him sitting on his own. I felt really creeped out by this guy. Maybe I am overreacting but I have never felt this vibe from anyone before. He was very strange and I just wanted to share that on here in case anybody else had seen him or knew who he was. edited by LaLaLayla on 02/02/2014 I don't think you were reacting I think you were bang on with what your true thoughts were and the civilised polite side of you made you question yourself. Lots of red flags, next time call security or take a picture.
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 13:27
Going to the Maldives is actually cheaper than us going to the UK for a holiday! I know where I'd rather go lol! On a serious note, I don't know anyone who gets housing and schooling paid - maybe that's my age group of early 30s - but I get housing included within my salary. The salaries here definitely afford us a much higher standard of living than back home, and personally I DO think that those with housing paid for distort the market. If anything, it perpetuates the one cheque rule as companies can easily slap down the annual rent in one go whereas most people paying from their own pocket can't. It would be good to have a universal ruling on this to give everyone a fair playing field. As long as they maintain a minimum percentage of the basic so that you don't get screwed on EOSB which is a joke. Higher standard of living or different standard of living? Surely that depends on your individual values?
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 13:23
We can work in other places, we choose not to. If we wanted to live somewhere else then we would move. I am not complaining about a loss of housing, I was just pointing out that there are plenty of people that work in these positions that do not get stupid amounts of money thrown at them and there are qualified people in many fields who would be more than hapy with just a tax free salary and some sunshine, they dont NEED to be making 3 times the amount they make in their home countries to move A rather simplistic and bias view perhaps? It's all about perspective really isn't it? You recently posted about sourcing a what many would term a luxury holiday, cook, maids, driver, i remember chuckling about it as you mentioned having a one year old and jokingly mentioning having to go back to Maldives if you couldn't find what you wanted. Not needing to make 3 times their salary is your view based on your situation not the view of many who have older kids to put through school, need larger accommodation etc and still probably can not afford a holiday in the Maldives, it's all about perspective. edited by Lolacat on 03/02/2014 I think mumofmoo is spot on actually. It all depends on your salary whether or not you can afford holidays to the Maldives. In most countries families with children cannot afford luxuries or expensive holidays, so they do without. Here in Dubai middle class families seem to think Maldives, Thailand or whatever holidays are part of the package without realising how privileged they are. You are right, I do not earn 4000 a month and struggle to make ends meet, I do however have to save up for my holidays but when I take them, I expect them to be what I want and I do not take for granted that I can take these vacations with my family. I have a 9 month old and one on the way, I will have to pay nursery fees which are half of my monthly income, my rent is over half my income and then there are all the additional costs.I earn more than my DH so to pout it in perspective for you (if you are thinking I must have plenty if I am looking at nice holidays) His salary is gone paying rent and half the nursery costs. I would love to have housing but I dont. I earn an acceptable salary in a Country which I want to be in. I am employed by a good company that treat the staff well. Nobody gets housing allowance and yet the whole company is European/US/Australian and nobody is complaining that they do not have flash packages Yes, it sucks for people who love having their inflated packages if they are going to lose some of it, and if they want to leave then I am sure they will. All I am trying to say is that does not mean that companies will have to hire "rubbish" staff because that simply is not true. There are plenty of people willing to work for what they are worth and not what they THINK they are worth Also, I think it will drive down the costs of some properties which is a great thing for everyone. So in 5 years time when your kids are in schools asking say 60 k per annum each + and rental prices have risen, inflation on everyday items has increased yet salaries have not moved in line with COL, life might not be quite so easy. I'm sure then you will believe you are worth a salary that reflects your growing financial needs and would be mighty hacked off to be replaced by a cheaper version who could not bring your experience to the table. I can not see how removal of housing allowances for a small percentage of the population will bring the rental prices down. Rental may stabilize but there will always be those (questionably a greater %) who can afford high end housing and have cash to invest regardless of employment. More importantly IMHO is to keep the housing market stable in order to free up income of the population to spend in shops and services, if everyone is spending on rent they are not spending elsewhere and that is not good for an economy. Dubai is a first word city it's rental values represent its success and position in the world, they are not going to drop down to because a few expats are not getting housing. Companies will need to invest in their people.
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 13:08
In the final analysis, does it matter what the renumeration is called? Except of course that under the old system, ESB costs to the company were much less if the base was padded out by additional allowances. In a more mature employment market the base salary itself would be commensurate with the cost of living which would also remove one of the more feudal aspects of employment in UAE. As it stood the discretionary allowance system was open to abuse as many posters have found to their cost when company policies have changed overnight. Also, Dubai is no longer the extra paying "hardship" posting of twenty years ago, for Western expats it is no longer the Eldorado it once was, their skills can be sourced more locally and a great deal more cheaply. Arh yes cheap, always a good investment for a forward thinking company. lol Opinion based and massive generalisation. No that was facetiousness.
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 11:35
We can work in other places, we choose not to. If we wanted to live somewhere else then we would move. I am not complaining about a loss of housing, I was just pointing out that there are plenty of people that work in these positions that do not get stupid amounts of money thrown at them and there are qualified people in many fields who would be more than hapy with just a tax free salary and some sunshine, they dont NEED to be making 3 times the amount they make in their home countries to move A rather simplistic and bias view perhaps? It's all about perspective really isn't it? You recently posted about sourcing a what many would term a luxury holiday, cook, maids, driver, i remember chuckling about it as you mentioned having a one year old and jokingly mentioning having to go back to Maldives if you couldn't find what you wanted. Not needing to make 3 times their salary is your view based on your situation not the view of many who have older kids to put through school, need larger accommodation etc and still probably can not afford a holiday in the Maldives, it's all about perspective. edited by Lolacat on 03/02/2014 I think mumofmoo is spot on actually. It all depends on your salary whether or not you can afford holidays to the Maldives. In most countries families with children cannot afford luxuries or expensive holidays, so they do without. Here in Dubai middle class families seem to think Maldives, Thailand or whatever holidays are part of the package without realising how privileged they are. Opinion based on massive generalization.
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 11:32
In the final analysis, does it matter what the renumeration is called? Except of course that under the old system, ESB costs to the company were much less if the base was padded out by additional allowances. In a more mature employment market the base salary itself would be commensurate with the cost of living which would also remove one of the more feudal aspects of employment in UAE. As it stood the discretionary allowance system was open to abuse as many posters have found to their cost when company policies have changed overnight. Also, Dubai is no longer the extra paying "hardship" posting of twenty years ago, for Western expats it is no longer the Eldorado it once was, their skills can be sourced more locally and a great deal more cheaply. Arh yes cheap, always a good investment for a forward thinking company. lol
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 11:30
There are thousands of expats in Dubai who do not need a job to pay their rent, many buy, many are high end wealth, the influx from certain nations bringing in cash is huge the correlation between employers paying rent to the odd western expat and rental prices would be hard to make an accurate analysis. Just because some have housing does not put them in the uber wealthy expat league, far from it's a very naive and simplistic viewpoint.
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Latest post on 03 February 2014 - 11:19
I think it is the right way to go too. Companies should be paying a salary for the job and then the applicant can decide if what they offer is enough to cover their outgoings - rent, utilities, school fees etc. Families on full expat packages with numerous children (school fees fully paid) and expecting huge villas to house them in are being phased out, even by some of the bigger companies, maybe oil and gas are exempt as they make big enough profits to cover them, however there is often someone younger with less responsibilities or older with grown kids willing to do the same job and firms are making this choice instead. edited by Cornish Pixie on 03/02/2014 Yes then the expat community can consist of 20 something singles and 50 somethings. Doesn't exactly sound like a recipe for a balanced society to me. The people DH most often employs happen to normally be in their early 30s to mid 40s. This is the normal age that people attain the professional and educational experience to be able to do the role required. In this particular field people need to be dual qualified have two or even three degrees/masters (some are working on PhDs) and 10 years professional experience. So 10 years experience plus 5 years minimum education makes someone in their early/mid 30s (many do their second degree or masters whilst working however). That leaves not much scope for finding people without families, in fact his only option would be to recruit from the over 50s pool which is somewhat limited as many of the elite level consultants will be managing their own teams or running their own companies. Limiting the employment pool to these two age groups will be hugely detrimental to the UAE. Many people decide to get some international experience in their 30s and 40s once they are established in their career. In the UK for example 69% of expats leaving to find work are aged 30-49. Possibly some of those in their late 40s may have grown kids, but realistically many professionals are working long hours and studying in their 20s and tend to have kids in their late 20s and early 30s, in fact the average age across Europe is 28-30 to start a family. Very few people will have their mortgage paid off before age 50, being that the standard mortgage in the UK is 25 years, bringing the need for a housing allowance to attract them abroad. In many countries a standard mortgage is 30 years. Any companies phasing out these allowances are only going to find it harder to recruit staff. Especially with other regions (Singapore, Qatar, HK) paying competitive packages. A friend of mine who took an expat job in France was even provided a house and a car, Dubai simply won't be able to compete in the global market. So what you are saying is that everyone that has the education and experience and it in their 30/40s wont work here without housing allowance and people will have to employ monkeys? Only someone forgot to tell my DH and I who have been in the region for 13 years and neither one of us has ever been fortunate enough to have a housing llowance, or schooling, or anything else. Infact, we pay for our childrens medical, education, housing, utility bills, food etc ourselves. Shocking Dubai does not allow immigration by naturalisation therefore there is little reason for loyalty here. If you would like to remain in a Muslim country then there are always other options such as Qatar, Saudi and Oman. If you are a western expat you will primarily be here for international experience, lifestyle and to save some money. Therefore Singapore, Bermuda, Grand Cayman and Qatar are other options. Should housing and school allowances be removed in the UAE and these other places are still offering them then yes I do believe many highly qualified in demand professionals will leave. The standard of lifestyle will drop, there will be little chance to save money and there are other places to gain professional international experience. It's all about supply and demand if your role is in demand and there is a skills shortage you will have your pick of where you want to live. But if it is not then perhaps you'll be stuck in Dubai with no additional allowances. There are very few people that would stay here if allowances dropped significantly and other regions are still offering them. We can work in other places, we choose not to. If we wanted to live somewhere else then we would move. I am not complaining about a loss of housing, I was just pointing out that there are plenty of people that work in these positions that do not get stupid amounts of money thrown at them and there are qualified people in many fields who would be more than hapy with just a tax free salary and some sunshine, they dont NEED to be making 3 times the amount they make in their home countries to move A rather simplistic and bias view perhaps? It's all about perspective really isn't it? You recently posted about sourcing a what many would term a luxury holiday, cook, maids, driver, i remember chuckling about it as you mentioned having a one year old and jokingly mentioning having to go back to Maldives if you couldn't find what you wanted. Not needing to make 3 times their salary is your view based on your situation not the view of many who have older kids to put through school, need larger accommodation etc and still probably can not afford a holiday in the Maldives, it's all about perspective. <em>edited by Lolacat on 03/02/2014</em>
Lolacat
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 February 2014 - 16:28
Ruth M you have forgotten one of the biggest issues Smoking whilst pregnant, many do to have smaller babies!
Lolacat
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 February 2014 - 12:38
All you women who "don't produce enough milk", don't get your knickers in a twist. You will not be arrested. Really? Could this not have been worded in a more empathetic thoughtful non judgmental way? It's not just mothers who are struggling to produce milk, it's mothers who are on medications, mothers who have undergone previous cancer treatment, mothers who are suffering from PND, mothers who for whatever have decided that breast feeding is not for them.
Lolacat
2738
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 January 2014 - 23:36
Try Nord Anglia, they open in September . Speak to them and see what they suggest between now and then.
Lolacat
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 January 2014 - 23:32
You did the correct thing, your children MUST always come first and you MUST never take a dog into the house who is not trustworthy with children when yours are that age, regardless of what some may say or try to persuade you. Sounds like someone should have made a decision for the dog a while back. I hope you find a kind wonderfully tempered family dog, it's worth the wait to get the right one. Now you have been through this stick to your guns and don't be tempted to take a dog because t has a sob story behind it, it must fit into you family first and foremost.
Lolacat
2738
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 January 2014 - 23:24
This would be a much nicer thread if it were about acts of kindness others have shown you. Agree.
Lolacat
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 January 2014 - 23:23
Helped a lady and her family go back to her country when they were stuck in Dubai. Usually when I shop in Chiotrams on al wasl road I usally buy some water and a snack for the car washer thats always there. Pick up rubbish with a bunch of volunteers on the beach This wasn't here in Dubai, in the UK a lady was hit by a bus in front of me and no one cared to help, instead they stood there watching. She got up, staggering all over the place with a head that was bleeding badly. Since no one helped I took her to a near cafe, tried to stop her bleeding and gave her lots of water so she's hydrated and waited with her until the ambulance and police showed up. I can't believe no one else helped, I was a very pregnant woman at the time (was about to give birth any day) and was in shock too but alhamdulilah she was fine. You gave water to a head wound victim? Now one was around when a bus hit someone in the UK?????
Lolacat
2738
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 January 2014 - 23:11
If this is for a client you should be directing your research somewhere other than EW!!! Everyone in Dubai knows Rashid is the serious emergency hospital to go to, where they will obviously be able to deal with heart issues. You should be dealing directly with hospitals for this research, this is research you are presumably being paid to source. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/health/1-stroke-suffered-every-hour-in-uae-1.1283770 <em>edited by Lolacat on 29/01/2014</em>
Lolacat
2738
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 January 2014 - 09:44
Bearing in mind the thread content i really can not believe you have just written what you have............this is exactly what the guy did he made a silly statement on a public base............when will people learn to engage their brains before they type? maybe you can point out where I was wrong? Taxi drivers in Dubai typically have a take home amount that is much higher than the average cashier making 1.5-2k. In RAK, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, they get much much less, but in Dubai it is different. I base on what drivers of the handful of regular taxis that I hire told me. [b'> As for hygiene, each of the drivers said pretty much the same thing; that many drivers from one particular region of one particular country do not shower that often which is why their taxis stink. [/b'> You can't make a generalized generic statement about a large group of people based on feedback from one person nor can you say taxis stink............you are on the same path as the the chap who made the comment about Singapore public transport. If you want to say these things off a public board do so but don't put yourself in a vulnerable position writing such generic baseless comments on a public forum. That is the lesson that has to be taken from this chaps misfortune. The days where one could say what one wanted are long gone, there is now accountability.
 
 
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