We’ve been coming back and fourth to the UAE for a few years and initially I focused mainly on the down side of life here being critical of the obvious things. It’s hard not to compare where you are with where you are from. The more time I spend here the more I begin to appreciate the subtleties and the more refined aspects. Expats always refer to their own country like some sort of mythical place where everything is functional and efficient. It seems like the memories of your childhood with times passage you tend to forget about less favorable things about your homeland and recall only the good. There are lots of issues here I don’t necessarily agree with but I do respect.
It’s nice to be able to walk at night without worrying about being stabbed. There’s no pissing on the street or people throwing up, no human sized seagulls fighting for the remnants of last nights junk food take away. Although I think restrictions here can be over zealous to the point of incomprehension. We could possibly tone down our excesses.
I oppose censorship of any kind but also I’m bemused by hatred and racism coming under the banner of self expression and fee speech in our democracy.
The Emiratis I suppose have never hidden the fact they favor their own people. The only difference is here it’s in the open where as in the UK it wouldn’t be politically correct to say it out loud. Locals certainly have a great deal with land and loans and company ownership. As a declining minority in their own country I can see why they cling to tradition. But with change comes acceptance and a little concession. You can move with the times or eventually get left behind. Obviously Dubai anticipated this and made provisions to build a modern city out of the sand. Although I really don’t know if the average local marvels at or laments their modern day Frankenstein.
The question of immigration and national identity is something which is a worldwide debate right now. The far right seems to be making resurgence in popularity. Disgruntled nationals complain about jobs and housing, never acknowledging where the wealth that built the major ports and cities came from. We sit in our armchairs shaking our heads about the treatment of the workers in Dubai but never consider the ones in our own country working without rights and benefits doing the jobs we think are beneath us. You can also hear us complain about call centers and sweat shops but going crazy for the latest deals in Primark.
In a sense Dubai wouldn’t have been possible without the foreigners but neither would our industrial revolution. As the world becomes a smaller place integration is inevitable despite the intentions of some to create a new world order with open borders and a standardized currency it seems we’ve never been further apart. When it comes down to it we’re all pretty quick to judge, just a little slower to realize we’re not so different after all.


For my Dubai crew you can find me this Monday night at the Hollywood Lounge Mondays at Elegante' in the Royal Ascot Hotel. Join us for a night of fun filled entertainment Hollywood style! Performances by Xtremer Dance Crew and Hollywood Events TV dancers. Ladies free all night with free champagne. For table bookings contact +97150 2973671



Finally look out for Blacksheep online magazine coming real soon. In a field of it's own get it! No sheep loving Aberdeen jokes thank you. Look out for the low down from D12 , Royce Da 5,9", Classifeid and a Scottish round up. Also coming soon UK Soul Mix featuring new music from the linkes of Omar, Don-e, Anthoney Wright,Ty and Teri Walker. Currently in the lab putting it together. Thanks to Pauline at PK image for all the great photos recently www.pkimage.co.uk