What would you say defines a Local? Or more specifically, What factors defines the Local identity?
Go on, I know you are answering the question as you read this. So write it down in the comments
This is not a local bashing contest so any blatantly derogatory and/or racist comments will not be tolerated.
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36 comments:
Someone who likes to keep matters plain & simple, is not too fussy and likes to live an uncomplicated life and takes challenges as they come.
I used to work as a receptionist and we used to have lots of locals call in. From what I learnt, the best way to deal with them is, when they ask you a question just answer the question. Usually I would ask for the clients name so that I could address them by their name. But for locals I realised I had to adopt another strategy. Just answer the damn question. If they like it they will take it or else they wont :P
I think asking this very question is sterotyping them. 'Locals' all dont have to have similar attributes. They are indivisuals themselves.
I made a new local friend last night. She was very sweet and friendly to the ultimate. she was anything but what the existing sterotypes define them as.
Except that she liked giving away money to ppl who saved or made her day :p
Anyhoo, among all the local population I've met, they all dont have to have similar personalities. Why locals. Take any other country. Would you sterotype the whole local population of any other nation?
If we exclude the local notion that local means UAE national, then I say a local is anyone in any place who feels at home in that place. By that criteria, I am a local in the UAE. :)
"This is not a local bashing contest so any blatantly derogatory and/or racist comments will not be tolerated."
I am curious to know why you felt you needed to ask this question to start with.
As harsha said, by asking this question you are stereotyping "locals". Why don't you just enlighten us with your thought about us.
I too would like to know why this question is asked to begin with.
Allow me to point out that the word “Local” was used by the armed forces of invasive countries who occupied lands. Meaning it was used as a demeaning description of the original residents of the land, “Natives” is another. It was used by occupying forces to separate those original unintelligent “natives” than those who came to occupy them with the supposed aim of enlightenment and civilization for the occupied land and its residents. The word “Local” is commonly used here in the UAE because it was introduced by the British forces that were present in what is now known as the UAE.
To me, UAE National is neutral.
So, to answer your question, what defines a UAE National as a UAE National is their passport, pure and simple. However there are other complications that I’m sure almost everyone who knows a UAE National or is a UAE National knows, and that is “Khulasat Al Qaid”. It’s basically more important than having the passport, there are people who have the passport and don’t have it, and they are considered “Bedoon”, meaning “without a nationality”.
I agree with what you guys said about what defines a Local internationally.
Forgive me for taking such a big commenting space! Let me know if you would like to hear my views about the other part of the question: the factors that define the identity.
Good Stuff on your blog, keep up the controversy!
In terms of the overall local Dubai resident identity, then we're quite varied, but as a rule we are people bonded by our common loathing of the traffic, and people that are much more used to multiculturalism than people in other countries. Plus we all use quite a bit of Arabic - even though us expats are too lazy to learn, who doesn't end up using "inshallah" and "yallah!" after a few months here? Dubaians are also into Arabic food, shisha and mall-shopping, regardless of nationality. And most people regardless of ethnicity have a shared frustration with internet services here
In terms of locals as UAE nationals, then physically it would be things like dress: as a rule, men and women both wear Gulf national dress as a matter of choice.
Culturally I would say one of the main differences that defines locals (at least from expats) is that local society is quite segregated, so local people haven't generally grown up around non-family members of the opposite sex. To some extent this can create barriers that one doesn't get with people from mixed gender backgrounds. Not insurmountable barriers, but it is something that one notices.
In terms of a "local character" - I don't think there really is one, because people are varied worldwide. Compared to many westesrn expats, UAE locals are more religious and more traditional, and more family oriented.
This is a fine line, in my opinion. I've met Yemenis who were born in the UAE, received passports, and know no other place as home. They consider themselves local. Replace "Yemeni" with Indian, and the label changes. We can't even say it's explicitly Arab, since many of Iranian origin consider themselves to be 'local'. Perhaps those of Arab or Iranian origin (predominantly) whose family came to the UAE at a particular time (70s or earlier?) in addition to those whose family traces themselves back to the region. Someone commented earlier it's about the passport, but I've met many Palestinians, for example, who do not call themselves "local" but carry the UAE nationality.
Perhaps the question is: Who does UAE society consider local, and who does UAE society deem to be simply a passport holder? All about perception, and not much to do with concrete facts, I think.
What defines/identifies an Emirati, is their culture and Sheikh Zayed.
Good Question cairogal
"who does the UAE consider as local?"
Have you actually met any Emiraties? Maby more than one?
This is one of the dumbest posts you've published. Its also little racist and very ignorant. Lucky for you the commentors here open the discussion a little wider and bought some sense to this post.
Jassim
I believe there are varying degrees, but I don't recall the specifics. A passport holder may or may not, depending on circumstances, be entitled to the benefits other nationals receive.
I hate the word 'Local'... In Kuwait, Kuwaitis are referred to as Kuwaitis. Same thing with Saudis, Omanis, Bahrainis ... etc.
UAE Nationals should be addressed as Emaraties..
hot lemon & honey,
The reason I am asking this question is purely to see how locals identify themselves and how expats identify them. Pure and simple. This is not stereotyping! If i had asked the question do you think all emaratis are born into a lap of luxury, that would be stereotyping!
Harsha,
I obviously know all locals are not exactly the same(how stupid do think i am ;-). HOWEVER, as with any community or social group there are similar attributes that contribute to forming that particular identity.
So what I would like to know is what factors make up the local identity.
a blessing AND moryati,
I specifically used the term 'local' instead of emarati to see if people use that term to refer to a uae national or a long term resident of this country or both
tainted,
What is wrong with asking questions? I do not see this question to be derogatory, discriminatory or racist in anyway.
Local Hero,
This question is in no way racist! it is informative. If you are a UAE national use this opportunity to tell everyone about you culture. tell everyone about what makes you a UAE national, why you consider yourself one.
Racism would have been if i asked: Do you think all UAE nationals are lazy spoilt brats! that would have been a racist question.
All i am trying to do is asking questions which most emaratis have probably never asked themselves:
How would you define your emaraiti Identity?
Ummm...
To everyone here, specifically the 'tainted' on Dec 29th @ 11.06 pm, it's not me (if that's what you're all thinking)... You've got an impostor.
In fact, this is the first time I've been to you're blog as far as I can recall.
Forgive me if what I said gave you the impression that I’m against asking questions, by all means ask away!
I just thought it was interesting to know where your question came from, like what was it that made you “question” people as UAE Nationals, and their identity.
One more thing, Local Expat, owner/host of this blog, if you feel that I, tainted, am imposing on your blog, then let me know and I promise that I won’t “taint” your blog :)
Well, this is really a bit thick I think. We all know what a local is, don't we? An Emirati (either with Nationality or bedoon) who considers the UAE their homeland. They wear National dress and would ordinarily get pissed off by blogs like this.
I found what secretdubai said about arabic food & sheesha interesting. This is the one thing that I have never thought about in too much detail, but traditional food is quite impossible to find in your average mall. I wonder how many expats have actually eaten 'local' dishes? and sheesha? very un-local.
actually one of my many one-off ideas is to open an emirati (local) restaurant in the uae and make sure every damn tourist knows about it when they visit.
shawarma and sheesha are not "local" delicacies..
i'll also have a branch hidden somewhere in deira for the real emiratis who want a quiet meal away from all the rush.
harees.. thareed..saloona...etc
I know what I've had at Emirati weddings, but what's a recipe for a traditional dish, Buj?
For cairogal
Try this one
Saloona
1 chicken cut into 8 pieces
2 onions finely chopped
1/2 cup corn oil
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons bezar
salt to taste
2 fresh tomatoes chopped
2 potatoes cut into chunks
I carrot finely chopped
1 bunch chopped coriander
6-8 cups water
I teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 whole loomi (lemon)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons loomi
Put oil into a large pot, heat and add chicken, onion, bezar and salt. Brown chicken, turning frequently, then add spices, garlic and both loomi. Fry five minutes on a gentle heat then add all remaining ingredients except coriander, water and salt to taste. Boil slowly until chicken and vegetables are soft and tender. Sprinkle coriander over and serve immediately with white rice and salad.
will you please update?!
babe_UAE: thanks for the receipe, it sounds yummy : )
Dear All,
Certainly Local Expat was not asking for a terminology debate and in addition I believe that his quest was indirectly quite clear. So assuming we all got the point, the second part of the question would be: Do you really tolerate an honest response?
First of all we all know about stereotypes and of course are all aware that not every UAE national "has the same character". However it is generally accepted that certain societies or nationalities have special "general characteristics", such as in development policy we can identify something like a "special African culture", certain aspects that are common to all "black" African societies in Sub Saharan Africa. (To all anthropologists - please cool down! We are not into details here) "Individualism", "existence of civil society", "gender equality", etc. are just a few keywords of this debate.
Here are just a few honest observations I made and of course these are still subject to further investigation:
First most striking aspect one will notice as a tourist:
As a typical "lonely planet" traveler, one of my favorite pastimes is to go out there and explore different cultures. The best recipe to learn and understand all those positive and negative curiosities about a different society is to mix with "locals". Now with an open mind going to e.g. Brazil, Ghana or Singapore it will take you less than 24 hours to interact with "them" and exchange your different viewpoints. In Chile you can read a huge signboard "a tourist is a friend" and it seems to be true, the average Chilean will welcome you with open arms and will proudly say: "You came such a long way to see my country?"
You will experience the exact opposite, if you will visit the UAE. The segregation aspect was already mentioned and the average tourist will certain not have any chance to get into contact with the real "locals". He/she will also not have a chance to learn and see anything about Emirati culture or find e.g. a real "Emirati cuisine" restaurant. The picture in fact is distorted and "belly dancers" as well as "shisha places" will give a completely wrong impression. On the other hand one will also get the feeling of outright "hatred", especially from local women. Honestly something I have never experienced anywhere in the world. Certainly being a tall blond German, I have received many curious and astonished stares during my travels and with a not so glorious past even had a few clashes in the States with non-forgiving Jewish citizens. (However dialog has often worked wonders)
So to answer your question: As a tourist the image of a UAE national and the culture is highly distorted. (and therefore not so positive!)
As a foreigner that has professional contact with highly educated UAE nationals (Ph.D.), I have come to the following conclusions.
Each and every "male" UAE national I encountered up to this point was very polite, friendly, considerate, helpful, etc., but even thou they stay in contact I never felt the closeness of real friendship, as I have with many other colleagues from around the world. (from Niger to Iran)
Deep inside, I feel that I am the just tolerated "foreigner" - I still need to explore this phenomenon and analyze, if this is just a general superficial attitude or a sign of serious intolerance?
However the most outstanding characteristic I noticed among UAE nationals was "the pretence" – double standards all the way. Maybe in general it can be considered a characteristic of Arab societies in general, but in a way I felt that the UAE are the hotspot of this. (Kuwaitis for example seem to be much more open minded) Maybe it is a sign of a "lost society" – a society caught between dysfunctional cultural traditions and an artificially induced modernity that did not bring the necessary socio-cultural development with it.
This notion certainly brings me directly to the next point: DENIAL!
Nowhere I heard the sentence "No, this is not true, not us" as many times as in the UAE. (Anyone who doubts this, just have a look at some of the answers to certain blogs – especially when it comes to taboo topics)
Or if it is not complete denial – we can move to "BLAME".
Another standard response in the UAE is to find someone else to blame: We all know the usual suspects – no need to go into details! I keep on being told that "the Hollywood lifestyle" …. - don't people get the message that this is just fiction, an artificial movie dream world – often sarcastic - that has nothing to do with real everyday Western life? Maybe the educational system should start to introduce the idea of "creative individual thought – to question the public opinion"
Finally "lack of curiosity" should be mentioned: When you take a longer bus trip in Peru for example and the seat next to you is empty, other customers will takes shifts to sit there and to torture you with all those questions they always wanted to find an answer to. This is good and broadens our horizon! But in the UAE people don't seem to have any questions or maybe they already have a stereotyped answer in place.
Now in the UAE you can take a bus ride (from e.g. Al-Ain to Dubai) and find interesting people to talk to from Pakistan, Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, etc. – they all have exiting stories to tell, just like from every taxi driver. However better not ask them this same question.
My wish would be that you guys would really mix with the rest of us. The world is more beautiful when cultures intermingle – need a proof – go to Brazil!
Emirati woman:
You would not even want to know – I am still recovering from the shock! (Will take some time!) Anyhow I don't believe that was the question and that you were referring to Emirati males.
SevenSummits
Thank you !! :-)
I couldn't have said it better myself. And I completely your experiences/views.
You are welcome :-)))
I was honestly impressed with your controversial 'Homosexuality …, Human Rights and Gender Issues' entries and felt that you deserved an honest answer to this simple question.
To openly discuss such concepts is a noteworthy courageous step forward and most certainly the Arab World urgently needs people like you to overcome its identified development deficits. Blogs may be the beginning of a formation of "social capital" in the UAE (to all those that do not know what this means: Social capital in general refers to the norms and networks that promote relationships of mutual acquaintance and recognition between individuals) Evidence shows that this form of more or less institutionalized social cohesion is critical for human security in the region as well as the needed sustainable human and economic development. I noticed that you just started working and hope that your socio-cultural environment will still allow and encourage you to engage into a postgraduate education – also from my observations 'most likely not'!
I tried to keep my answers to your question simple – sorry about the few spelling mistakes – and hope that I have not offended anyone. Certainly this was not my intention! However we have a wise saying from a German dramatist:
"Honesty prospers in every condition of life"
Friedrich Schiller
(1759 – 1805)
In a way, I suppose I could write an entire book about my strange experiences in the UAE and all those observations I made in comparison to other countries in the world. (some funny, some extremely sad)
For further controversial topics, I have two suggestions that could lead to an interesting discussion:
"The Future of the Emirati Society: A Conflict between Tradition, Religion and Globalization"
(1) Has the Arab culture in the UAE come under threat long before the genesis of globalization?
(2) Why is the Emirati society so reluctant to social changes? What are their fears / worries? How do the rest of us see it?
(3) Are all those traditions honestly worth holding on to? (killing your brother, because he is gay, may be one to get rid off :-( )
(4) How does this holistic approach correlate with Islamic thought or can we clearly separate some of these cultural practices.
Second is about gender issues:
I have recently been to a conference, were once again Arab Human Development (or better the lack of) in comparison with the rest of the world was discussed. Further info inter alia in ADHR!
We (mostly scientists from Arab / Islamic nations – however as usual none from the GCC) came to the conclusion that especially in the GCC countries, it is the women that are responsible for the slow development in the region and that specially the younger educated male generation would be ready to take steps forward into the right direction. (also based on the concept that women are responsible for the socialization of future generations)
Certainly this is in strong contrast to most Western views that still feel that women are totally oppressed in the GCC. (and sadly feel that this has something to do with Islam)
Past evidence has proofed to us, that such changes never occurred by itself and women in the West or wherever in the world they have managed to achieved that they can make their own decisions) have sacrificed a long struggle of discomfort to get to where they are today. Countless foreign women in the UAE (from extremely disadvantaged societies to highly privileged Western women) demonstrate this in working basically either 24/7 or at least 10 to 12 hours per day – however they either support entire families with this or in case of most Western women just themselves.
Women in the UAE do receive a fairly equal education (up to the university level), but the willingness to fight the system and go out there, get a serious job, work hard and live in modesty is not evident. Few of us are aware that Islam has absolutely nothing to do with all this! The blog entries from SD "Brideshead revisited" in my opinion do not show that women are victims of traditions, but that they have little integrity whatsoever.
Especially all this is an insult to all those suffering women out there that are "the real victims of society". (just to remind everyone for a second of all those little girls that get mutilated every day in many African countries as well as elsewhere in the world. Many of them die of the consequences, after suffering for years in painful agony)
I am aware that these topics may be too rough for the time being, but anyhow I look forward what you will come up with next!
Warm regards from Germany
SevenSummits,
"I am aware that these topics may be too rough for the time being, but anyhow I look forward what you will come up with next!"
NEVER!! nothing is ever too controversial on this blog... so please don't even think of imitating the media here and enforcing self-censorship on your comments
Those are some really interesting comments from sevensummits, I hope he/she comments a lot more here in future.
Yesm quite interesting comments from SevenSummits. Even though I do not agree with all your sentiments, thank you for sharing them - it was refreshing to read a rare (besides SD's) perspective.
Dear LocalExpat,
No need to worry. I already managed to get censored by your government BEFORE I even managed to say anything :- )))) You must admit that this is a record, which is hard to beat.
The funny thing is that I NEVER EVEN INTENDED to say something in the first place, but only thought of the UAE as a pretty relaxed meeting place for the region (in comparison to e.g. Riyadh) Anyhow, that is what I would call real paranoia!
PS: "They" did actually manage to trigger my curiosity and maybe now I will actually consider doing a serious empirical study and publish something – that is what you get when you try to silence Germans, we do not react to well to that …
I will comment on your HR blog when I find the time :-)
sevensummits: "when you try to silence Germans" = lol you mean
"Vergangenheitsbewaeltigung"? ;)
I*maginate,
I was primarily using "German cultural characteristics" as a representative for all Western nations that regard freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression since the era of Enlightenment as a fundamental Human Right. Even if today, the First Amendment of the US Constitution is generally regarded as the root of the comprehensive protection of freedom of expression in our part of the world, one could argue that the struggle in Europe went all the way back to outstanding personalities such as Socrates, John Milton and many others. In fact, it was actually Sweden in 1766 (followed by other Nordic countries), that was the first nation to abolish censorship and introduce a law guaranteeing freedom of the press. Consequently, unless one is in the military and has to follow a chain of command, we all have the natural urge to express our opinion and don't like to be told otherwise.
While I respect the importance of dissemination of information, I also feel that it is not the accurate approach that foreigners incessantly intervene in the internal affairs of developing / transforming economies. Change needs to be endemic and therefore I formerly never planned (as mentioned above) to get involved in UAE domestic policy. Concerns such as Human Rights, democracy, security, equity … need to urgently be approached by UAE nationals and not by the combined rest of us. Sadly the UAE is still missing the intellectual scholarly elite (something well intended by the government!) and therefore it would be an acceptable first step, if Western experts will try to work together with locals hand in hand in this endeavor. In theory - however this objective of participation, proofed to be sustainable in numerous other places, but sadly not in the Emirates (or elsewhere in the GCC – biggest chances of success would be in Saudi)
Your notion of correlating this to our "Vergangenheitsbewältigung" is a very interesting one. Let me first try to explain the meaning of this word to our readers from the Arab World reading this Blog (plus all those Westerners that did not pay attention during World history – just joking :- ) ). This is a German term generally used to describe the process of dealing with the past. When used within an Austrian / German context, we usually relate specifically to the "crimes against humanity" we committed during 1933–1945. (also known as Nazi Germany)
When it comes to censorship, the continuous illegal and underground publishing activities of all suppressed nations during that period (especially occupied Norway, but of course also in Germany) represents the most exceptional monuments to the people’s relentless struggle for freedom of expression. On the other hand, more Germans should have had the courage of resistance and made some noise about what was going on. (Easy to "point a finger" roughly 70 years later, when your life and the wellbeing of your love ones is not threatened by some regime)
The important conclusion is that we certainly learned a lesson from those atrocities that we committed – not that other nations have not committed terrible crimes and mass murder, but nobody did it so organized and with intend as we did - and it should be something "never to be forgotten" by any human being on this globe.
Sadly this message has not reached the majority of the citizen in the Middle East (including Israel). It is among those sad observations that I made in the UAE that many individuals still look at those dark days in German history with relentless admiration. Approval of organized genocide - including the efficient murder of innocent little children (even babies)? It gives me the shivers and makes me feel bad about making any prognosis in regards to the chances for our "common future".
Why this region is generally so "full of hate" – against basically anyone (not only us), even among themselves – never ceases to amaze me. However, I am not a sociologist and I am yet waiting to still see an acceptable scientific explanation with an interdisciplinary approach. (Preferably an independent analysis from a GCC national, in English and without any fundamental, anti Western content)
Personally I do not believe that being a "local" (from the UAE) it does not ONLY mean you have the passeport.
I think if you are a local you are someone who has lived in the country for a long time or were born here.
For example, I have a French passeport when I do not call France my home because I was born and raised in Dubai.
My parents have been living here for 30 years.
My brother and sister were born and raised here too, and actually went to local schools - Latifa and Rashid school for boys.
So what bothers me the most is that when you have the local passeport you have more rights than anyone else, which I think is unjust, and only makes locals arrogant. They do whatever they please because they CAN!
So for me where do I say I am from? Dubai is the only place I have ever known yet because I have a FRENCH passeport does that mean I am FROM france?
Most locals here are not even REAL locals! REAL LOCALS are the bedouin who are really from Dubai.
A little poetry ?
“Where are you from?”
I come from a place so hypocritical but mine
A place where life was built on a desert of ghosts
Where I used to run free on a clean clear beach
And go camping in lonely mountains under the stars
My childhood memories no longer exist
They are but a dream to a place I cannot claim as mine
This little city, so small which I could hold in my baby hand
Has been snatched away from me in a sweep of pathetic modernization
“But this is my home!” my ears burn and my voice yells
So why is it fair to look at me like an ignorant tourist?
A westerner so easily fooled to believe this place is first world!
Money is your only right here and that is all
I have been disowned by a home which was never mine
An international airport for business matters only
In the past, everywhere I would look, peaceful, quiet spaces
Now all I see are buildings, injustice and superficial faces
Hi Everyone. In general I am NOT a blogger, but I was compelled to read each and every post; and furthermore, I was compelled to respond. I agree with some comments and I disagree with others. I felt some comments were well informed and yet others were purely ignorant and or conjecture. I find that many people simply have no clue about who the Emirate national is. Most people I meet want to justify their ignorance by saying that Emirates are an aloof people who don't want to have anything to do with us expats! As one person asked...Do any of you really KNOW any Emirates? Have you ever considered that there is a general misunderstanding of who they are? Did you stop to realize that MAYBE just MAYBE there is a language communication barrier and that if they could communicate with you they would? Have you EVER gone out of YOUR way to go where THEY hang out? Where THEY eat? How many of you know that those "Public Kitchen" spots are "local" restaurants and serve their favorite dishes? How many of you KNOW that WE out number them in their own country, and they feel disadvantaged in the work place? How many of you KNOW that they feel WE AS WESTERN EXPATS get more privileges than they do? How many of you KNOW that MANY Emirates are poor? How many of you KNOW there is a charity organization that collects money annually to help them make it through? MOST of us DON'T KNOW any of this. We sit back in OUR areas, OUR shopping malls. We look at THEM as if they are out of place. We SNUB our noses and assume that they are just rich brats that don't want to have anything to do with the rest of the world. I AM AN AMERICAN teacher who has lived here for 5 and a half years. It just so happens that all of my dealings this entire time has been with Emirates. I have been to their homes, I have eaten their food, I have learned about their VERY DIVERSE cultures and languages. They are arab, indian, persian, african, bulushi, egyption, but like us Americans, they are all Emirates. Yes, there are different levels of being Emirate and the status that comes with that, BUT SO WHAT? And we don't have these in our wonderful western countries? In France, are all french treated equally? In USA, is a naturalized citizen the same as a non naturalized citizen? Are Native Americans the same as Non Native Americans? No, in some cases they have MORE rights! in India, the cast system, what about that? We have to realize that we are visitors in someone else's land. We should NOT expect that it is going to be like our home lands. We should not judge and stereotype from outside the window. Go inside and take a seat. We might actually realize they we were wrong or misinformed. Come one everybody, we run and operate as parallel lines on a plain; we need to, on our part, create a conjunction. I hope I have not stepped on anyone's toes. I just needed to speak out as a westerner who lives amongst the Emirates. There are many things we don't know about them.
I am an Emiratee. I only shop when i need to. I dont do sheesha or pipe, spend my dads money or drive the latest car every season!
I am an individual in this world and different in many ways compared to other (people).
Emiratees are different from one another. However, what they share is their values & Religion, language, tradition and culture.
I personally hate people who label. Like using the word LOCAL. You might say using the word Emiratee is labeling but its not its defining and originating thats all.
You sound like a typical Western priviledged brat with the sense of entitlement. Guess what? UAE and the rest of the world isn't your home country and if you want to complain, go back to Germany and do it there.
Nobody is supposed to be friendly or curious about you, and if they want to hate you--well it's their land and they can do whatever they want on it. Lay off your nosy Westerner colonialist attitude and learn some respect.
Don't tell people to mingle their culture with others, it's none of our business.
People like you are the reason why locals in many countries hate tourists.
PS: one of the reasons people hate Westerners like you is that they often bring destruction of morals, seek sex tourism, nudity/revealing clothes, and in general have NO respect for local culture and customs whatsoever. I'm a person born in the 3rd world who's now and American citizen. I'm not sorry when people like you get roughed outside the West--you and your snotty attitude bring it about and you deserve it.
I'm a UAE National,
We're people too, I personally, along with the family I grew up with, don't consider us any different from the society we live in. Maybe thats cause I've grown into a far more modern perspective or the fact that my mothers side is that of Filipino ethnicity. But regardless, UAE nationals are just people, some more fortunate than others in terms of wealth and lifestyle, as it would seem in every part of the world of different cultures.
Every person has a different attribute/personality and lifestyle, the sterotyping of UAE nationals to stuck up arab people is only because they were raised and taught the way they are, and the way I was raised and taught was far different.
In the end what defines a "Local" is the same thing that defines all human beings, "equality".
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