BIRD MAN OF DUBAI

RE: Sara Jane Mcentee
got some front. you treat the native inhabitants of bahrain like dirt
you always did and as far as drink driving goes you have driven more times drunk than not

By Me me me me.. Posted October 15 2009 at 3:59 PM.

Wow! the ignorance in these comments is astonishing! this article takes what this guy says for granted and where is the other side of the story? for all we know this guy is lying for 15 mnts of fame.

By Ali.. Posted December 27 2008 at 10:45 AM.

dont go ,thats the only way

By robert turnbull.. Posted December 19 2008 at 5:23 AM.

Who the Hell goes to Dubai?

By Harry.. Posted December 18 2008 at 6:25 AM.

This sounds like the local police shaking down the kafir on vacation. There are lots of places around the world that I want to visit, Muslim countries are NOT on my list.

By Richard in Toronto.. Posted December 18 2008 at 2:04 AM.

Chris lees - Dubai does not have religious police! Saudi Arabia does, not Dubai.

By barny... Posted December 17 2008 at 6:24 PM.

It's very simple..follow the law..this is not your country. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Learn to respect other peoples culture....not everyone must adapt the western ways....Again, respect is the key. Quit crying lika a lil BIAATCH! and take it like a man.

By Blackwater Al.. Posted December 16 2008 at 10:15 PM.

Another reason why we expats comment so much on this story? It's not because we're pomp or brash and feel a need to defend ourselves for fear of losing our jobs due to a decisive Emirati employer. It's because some of us ARE well traveled, we do have perspective on other peoples and laws. You know why I took a job over here in Abu Dhabi? Because there are well-respected jobs available, and I make a LOT more money than a 40 hour-a-week job back in the states. Sure I deal with horrible drivers and a good daily dose of international ignorance, but I take it in stride. At least i'm happy where I am, and don't see a need to lash out at people who are trying to make their lives better by working overseas.

By Eli.. Posted December 16 2008 at 4:53 PM.

I've lived in Abu Dhabi for the last 5 years, and i'm an American Expat. The very strict rules here are always enforced because of previous incidents with locals and foreigners. I'm not defending all GCC nationals, but I also hold most them to a very high degree of respect. Calling them all uneducated is just ignorant, if you actually stop and talk to some, you'll find that many have attended universities in Europe or in the US. They're very well educated and very well traveled. Sure they have the wealth of their family lines to support them, but at least they put it to use making their lives better. These "big" incidents cited in news websites around the world are of course headlined because Dubai is trying to bring together every culture and nationality. OF COURSE there are going to be culture clashes, it happens in every country all over the world. Use the old saying, When in Rome, do as the romans do. The UAE police and government have had to make these strong and severe laws and punishments because they're not dealing with ONE brit and a couple locals boys, they're dealing with people from every walk of life, and every culture with different views on sex, religion, decency, and respect for another person. So please, if you're so angry about the laws, don't come back! If you can adapt to fit into a different culture and break out of that uniform society you're so used to, you'll find that the United Arab Emirates is a great place to live, work, and enjoy life.

By Eli.. Posted December 16 2008 at 4:41 PM.

If you wanted to holiday with lots and lots of muslims you should have gone to London.

By Darren.. Posted December 16 2008 at 2:37 PM.

"When in Rome,do as the Romans do"...guess this should sum it up for all!!

By shenzimkubwa.. Posted December 16 2008 at 12:58 PM.

We should start locking them up over here for the same reasons! Fair is Fair...

By Aston Crouch.. Posted December 16 2008 at 1:43 PM.

Hey go to England instead. I arrived in London and we were attacked by a bunch of illiterate half-wits whose only interest was football colors. People were too scared to help. Yay what a great place. Dubai at least treats these imbeciles with the contempt they deserve, England just breeds more of them.

By Chris Dalembert.. Posted December 16 2008 at 11:14 AM.

You are lucky to get out, mate. Consider the case of Touria Tiouli, a French woman who was gang-raped by Dubai men. When the poor gal reported it to the cops, she was accused of "adultry" and sent to prison. Only the action by French women's rights groups got her released (after 6 months!) but as I recall there was a British boy who was also gang-raped by Dubai men. His parents wisely did not press charges and only went to the press after leaving Dubai, as the lad would otherwise have been charged with "homosexuality" -- a stoning offense! The men in these cases got off without any charges or penalty.

By Black Eagle.. Posted December 16 2008 at 9:44 AM.

It's Dubai, if you don't go there, you don't have to worry about getting locked up for some insignificant thing.

By Ben.. Posted December 16 2008 at 3:06 AM.

well i appreciate all been said about the incident but as some said there is no comparecent to what happenes in the uk or els were in the developing world too. Good job that he wasnt beaten up by those kids like what happens here in the uk in most such cases. good job that there is a law that says dont finger up peaple cause its too rude. also i think there is more to his story that what he really said happened plus all who said that there is 2 laws in dubai are totally wrong cause most expats get treated very well and are very respected till they start acting as if they are the super human beens then they start showing off and after that they dont accept telling off by others or by the law so they go all about there is 2 laws in dubai. show respect to be respected and behave when you are home and away.

By T. ward.. Posted December 15 2008 at 11:18 PM.

Reading these comments made me realize that there are no limits to human stupidity.

By J.. Posted December 15 2008 at 10:34 PM.

The youths should have been arrested for blackmailing him. Oh well, just another police state. You can keep it.

By Jeff.. Posted December 15 2008 at 7:24 PM.

Dubai sounds like what Britain is becoming.

I say: Stay here for Christmas, don't give your money to those who want to turn this country into a multi-cultural hell-hole.

MOTW

By Peter Houghton.. Posted December 15 2008 at 6:02 PM.

I don't understand how anyone in their right mind would go there. I've heard too many horror stories of people getting arrested for stupid things. For instance, being locked up for years for drugs(actually a microscopic trace that was randomly picked up on the tread of his shoe) A lot of these are not about respecting their culture, but about the random whims of the police or locals. Anyone that "feels safe" there is either a local, or has been lucky so far.

Oh, and if some of the defenders had read the article, they would realize he was *walking* while slightly drunk, not driving, when he was almost hit.

By CoutroomWolf.. Posted December 15 2008 at 5:56 PM.

mike is a very close friend of mine and he deserved it!!!!

By drew .. Posted December 15 2008 at 6:31 PM.

Hahaha what a joke, why even go there.
I agree some people go over the top
but retaliating your near death with a
middle finger is punishable by law
Nice laws guy

If its summer and you have the time just come to Canada where the police will help arrest the idiot who almost killed you.

Or just go anywhere but there. I hear Siberia is nice

By rich.. Posted December 15 2008 at 5:05 PM.

what this guy failed to mention is that dubai has an absolute zero-tolerance driving law.. meaning if you have even a drop of alcohol in your system and are driving a car (in a place where taxis are plentiful), you can be immediately arrested and jailed, no questions asked.

By msd.. Posted December 15 2008 at 5:04 PM.

I can't understand why so many people are defending Dubai in these comments. Did you read the article? This man might have been drunk, but he was also almost killed by a reckless driver. They then attempted to extort money from him. Toss him in jail for a night to sober up, but a full month? I really cannot believe all the people calling him a drunken thug. If you were almost hit by a car while SOBER, your reaction might be just as upset. I do find it interesting that so many people are defending intolerance in other countries.

By Jon.. Posted December 15 2008 at 3:04 PM.

Uh, what about the privileged youths who drove so carelessly? I take it the people in Dubai are not at all concerned about extortion, blackmail, or using your car as a weapon to make foreigners dance? You have to be insane to go to any country like that. If you do go now, after all these stories, you deserve being thrown in jail for parking in the wrong spot or breathing too loudly.

By Ted.. Posted December 15 2008 at 4:28 PM.

Actually, I'm a world traveler who has always done my utmost to respect local traditions and laws.

I've traveled in the Far East and Europe, but never in the Middle East. I must say that while I've always had dreams of visiting these exotic countries, I'm more and more convinced that I need to keep my wanderings to Japan, China, Europe and environs where I feel I have a fair chance at staying out of trouble by remaining as polite as possible to everyone I meet.

Please understand, that I know this gentleman was being impolite in flipping off the drivers and that insults are taken more personally in the ME than they are most places. Unfortunately, what I consider to be agressive behavior on the part of the young drivers and an unreasonable response on their part was supported by their legal system. This leads me to believe that no matter what I do, as unintentional as my insult would be, I could end up in hot water simply because I'm not local and would be considered an easy target.

By Kat.. Posted December 15 2008 at 4:05 PM.

I loved Dubai. I never had any problems there, but then again, I respected their laws and customs and tried to be a good representative of my country.

By Ted.. Posted December 15 2008 at 1:54 PM.

Dubai isn't boring - Abu Dhabi, where I am, now that's seriously dull...

Anyway - people here get very angry if you are directly rude to them. That's how it is. The lawyer for the Emirati who ran the Scottish woman over 4 x in his Hummer argued in court that a mitigating circumstance for his client was that one of the woman's friends stuck his finger up at him.

The overall story is an amalgam of all the comments above - the UAE is safe, reasonably friendly and while it's not a hotbed of cultural activity, it's in the process of development and it will be in the future. It;s a global node, attracting an international population, many of whom are grateful for opportunities here that they would not have in their home countries, including an increasing number of westerners.

At the same time, it has a shoddy rights record, there is one rule for the locals and another for foreigners, where the punishments get harsher as your skin tone gets darker, and in general you leave your rights on the plane.

Like everywhere else, it;s neither paradise nor purgatory but something more prosaic in-between...

By Tom.. Posted December 15 2008 at 12:25 PM.

I am a Filipino and I commend Dubai as a country. Why? Because tourists here in the Philippines flout breaking the law. Because Australian tourists pay to get little girls here. You all act like the kings of the world. Foreigners spit at our laws and treat my fellowmen like garbage.

By danny.. Posted December 15 2008 at 6:06 AM.

I've lived in Dubai and while it is more tolerant than other Arab places, it is still an uptight, agressive place full of people who take themselves far too seriously.
Give me British tolerance anyday!

By cam.. Posted December 15 2008 at 5:39 AM.

to tonymac: just because they actually bother to enforce thier law doesnt make them the worst place. i admit, it does seem strict to throw this chap in jail, but after he told them he had drinks and swore, he pretty much admitted guilt. although, i would have also arrested those other kids in the car who almost ran him over, its a good potion thier fault too. i have been in bahrain once, and let me tell you, all these arab countries are beautiful. maybe you should go there before replying to this k?? ok

By eemaan khan.. Posted December 15 2008 at 2:35 AM.

I am so lucky to live in the US where people aren't so stupid about little matters like this.

By Fernando.. Posted December 15 2008 at 2:16 AM.

More utterly ridiculous comments from Dubai ex-pats desperate to protect their investments.
The thing is that the locals in Dubai do what they want. They've murdered, raped, sexually assaulted and run-over foreigners and, on each occasion, got away with it.
The absolute worst behaviour in the entire Gulf is from Dubai Arabs (ok, possibly the Saudis are worst). They are boorish, uneducated, aggressive without any understanding of the rule of law, human-rights or civilisation. Dubai itself is filled with prostitutes from all over the planet all there to service the Arabs who sit in their mansions and hotel rooms drinking massive amounts of whisky. The hyprocrisy of Dubai society is mind-boggling. Islam and 'cultural' values are just used to create oppressive laws.
The ex-pats posting in Dubai love it so much because it satisfies their weird neo-fascist fantasies and because it's the only place, due in the main to racial segregation, where they can legitimately look down on other people or have any success. Most of them were complete failures in the UK and it is only Dubai's appallingly low standards that allows them to be 'successful' out there.
As for the "locals" in Dubai - only about 10% of the population are local Arabs. Most of the rest are Indians. There's a sizable Indian middle class of shopkeepers and the like plus tens of thousands of brutally exploited labourers who are treated like scum.
Sure, there are palaces in Dubai - and all of them were built with slaves.

By Greedy Ex-Pats.. Posted December 15 2008 at 12:42 AM.

This place has standards strict codes of conduct.What isnormal in Uk is offside here.Just passed through the place n my journey and people couldnt be friendlier.

By jonny mack.. Posted December 14 2008 at 11:05 PM.

this is what britain should do, enforce the law and make people feel safe from drunken louts!! alcohol abuse is linked to violent, robberies etc.... britain should lean lessons

By manjit leicester.. Posted December 14 2008 at 10:50 PM.

This amuses me. A man who has been drinking and used to getting away with anti social behaviour in England imagines he can do the same thing in a country that actually enforces rules that let the majority of citizens live without fear of the drunken thugs that are the norm in the UK.

By Bern.. Posted December 14 2008 at 2:10 PM.

The driving over in Dubai is erratic to the point of downright dangerous! Having lost someone close to 'a local' driver' there is a two tier system of justice. If they don't clamp down on the driving behaviour of the locals then more pedestrians will get killed. Dubai is hardly a model for road-safety, their lack of clamping-down on bad driving results in a LOT of heartache for a LOT of people!!!

By Lily.. Posted December 14 2008 at 1:09 PM.

It's funny, but all of you expats here in Dubai who go on about the safety have neglected to tell the headline story of the British woman run over 4 times and killed by an Arab chap recently. Sure, no one wants to see the 'Brits on tour' violence that has become an unwelcome trademark but Dubai has to take the concequences if it is prepared to earn large profits from the sale of drink. Finally, never forget that this is a newly created modern city in a desert, mainly built by exploiting very cheap labour from the Indian sub-continent.

By Stuart Attwood.. Posted December 14 2008 at 12:11 PM.

Those of you with your "when in Rome" comments should get some perspective - how on earth would anyone expect to get a prison sentence for what this chap has done?
And while I understand that different cultures have different approaches to issues such as public shows of affection the simple fact is imprisoning someone for showing anger at nearly getting killed just highlights the atavstic approach to justice that is the norm in the Gulf.

By aaron.. Posted December 14 2008 at 11:47 AM.

This particular case is about a lack of understanding and appreciation for another nation's culture or law. One should recognise the benefit or protection offered of such laws which allows families and individuals to feel safe in all parts of the city whether in the morning or late at night!

Having said that, there is no doubt that Dubai has two judicial systems one for the locals and the other for everyone else. You just hope as a foreigner you are "never" involved in a legal dispute with a local - as majority of the time you will come off worse! This is unlike any developed country in the West.

The question is whether you are willing to accept this trade-off, as every country has its good and bad points. The UK has dull weather, towns beseiged by drunks/teens, yet a liberal judicial system......

By Phil.. Posted December 14 2008 at 11:36 AM.

SO if any of you lot do decide to come back to the UK and you do give someone the finger I hope you get a smack for it, your all ignorant, this is democracy gone wrong and overstepping the mark by a mile and to make situations worse for all of you, your letting them do it.
Things like this grate me I'm sorry, if you are nearly hit by a car then you are going to be angry about it sober or drunk, its called human emotions.

Those of you that left my home, the UK, Thank You, not having people like you in this country gives me great hope that we will get rid of idiots like Gordon Brown because you aren't here, being the stupid idiots you obviously are, to vote for him!

By Beckie.. Posted December 14 2008 at 10:53 AM.

Joe: In a nutshell, you have absolutely no protection whatsoever against locals in any way, shape or form

And why on earth should you? You are a guest in their country so why should you have any preferential treatment and not be expected to follow their rules?

The trouble with Dubai is that it attracts a lot of chavs who have previously not travelled further than Ibiza and have no understanding of other cultures and traditions.

By Jennifer.. Posted December 14 2008 at 9:49 AM.

If you dont like it dont come here. I agree with Dani. I live hear and I would not live anywhere else. If you offend the locals then deal with concequences!

By Greg.. Posted December 14 2008 at 9:26 AM.

I am living in Dubai in Jumeira it is a nice clean and easy going place.
I go out sometimes in the evening and you can see hords of people going out for a drink i dont see much trouble but now and again you do get some idiots who are tanked up and make a nuisance of them selves.
I feel safe in Dubai and not worried walking the streets because i know im safe and not likley to get mugged or stabbed.
There has been a few stories which have hit the headlines recently but this is small compared to the many problems you hear day after day in the uk.
How many times do you here of people getting killed not many but it does happen sometimes due to locals driving eratically on the motorways to fast causing fatalities.

By Ray Dixon.. Posted December 14 2008 at 8:52 AM.

This is the funniest article ever!! Hopefully articles like this will put off more of the chavs from back home thinking about coming here. I agree with Sarah Jane and Helen - I like living in a city without the fear of getting beaten up/raped/murdered as soon as I step foot outside. Brits in the UK are all prisoners in their own homes, which is precisely why I left for Dubai and what a bloody good decision that was!

Pot. Kettle. Black, Billy? You've obviously never been to the UAE (or the Middle East) if you believe this pile of tosh! If you think Dubai is a dump, God only knows what you'd class the UK's cities as!!!

By Dani.. Posted December 14 2008 at 8:28 AM.

you see them every friday , tanked up brits thinking there on a stag weekend in blackpool, do yourselves all a favour and dont come here its not benidorm.
its so apparent that there is a lack of culture and knowledage about anything outside of GOOD OLD BLIGHTY, do us all a favour here and stay away we enjoyed it better before the chavs came your only driving the price up and anyway you would be better off with anight out in HARTLEPOOL

By jay jay.. Posted December 14 2008 at 8:47 AM.

I do believe there is more to the story than the guy in question reveals. Dubai is definately cracking down on 'chavs' from the UK and I am so glad that with the weak pound we will get less unwanted tourists who think Dubai is Majorca!!

By Jane Shake.. Posted December 14 2008 at 7:57 AM.

I have just left Dubai 6 months ago after living/working there for 7 years. Firstly, Helen...read the post properly, he WAS NOT driving, merely walking...and had he had his children at hand the middle finger is the least we would all have done. It has to be completely understood by all visiting Dubai that you are absolutely never safe, and I know of even more ludicrous incarcerations than farting etc.
In a nutshell, you have absolutely no protection whatsoever against locals in any way, shape or form. You are completely at the mercy of these recebtly evolved desert dwellers and it is absolutely frightening. Don't listen to the jumped up middle class who laud Dubai, as they are just trying to justify their emigration from UK. We all know this type all too well (Jumeirah Jane). I recently moved to Bahrain...wow, freedom and respect is abundant, let me tell you it is akin to chalk and cheese.

By Joe Coriolano.. Posted December 14 2008 at 7:15 AM.

I get fed up with these chavvy people visiting muslim countries & abusing the law, yes its against the law to stick your fingers up at anyone, i have lived here(Bahrain) long enough to know that the locals are generally a peaceful lot & thugs like this man give them a bad name. Do some research before you travel, better still stick to the costa del sol where you'd fit in better.
The locals her in bahrain are very accommodating, they love christmas, they dont mind booze or pork, they are peaceful & that goes for dxb where i have visted many times.

By sarah jane mcentee.. Posted December 14 2008 at 6:51 AM.

firstly, yes it is completely illegal to drink AT ALL and drive in Dubai, so I'd say that a couple of glasses with wine and a few beers with dinner owuld be enough to put the idiot over the very strict limits there. Have some respect for the countries that you chose to visit. In dubai they dont stand for the ignorant, loutish behaviour that they come from so many westerners, thats why I moved here! This is a beautiful country where the majority of residents have a great deal of respect for the law, each other, and their country, something that is severely lacking in the UK!

By Helen.. Posted December 14 2008 at 5:09 AM.

I live in Dubai and have never heard such mindless drivel. This is a peaceful, safe, clean and beautiful country. This is probably one of a handful of cases and suspect that there was more to it. I am from UK but really think we need to get over our jealously/hatred of a five star country full of sea, sand and Bling !!!

I have always found the police helpful and polite...even when I drove up the wrong way of a one-way street

By tina baker.. Posted December 14 2008 at 4:13 AM.

may be it is the law over there so why when they come to Britain stay in plush hotels arrange for prostitutes and get pie eyed do they not stick to there laws

By tonymac.. Posted December 14 2008 at 2:24 AM.

Why oh Why does anyone go there? It must be the dullest place on Earth with an uptight and unworldly population.... It has been created with the most disgusting taste.....but my guess is people are mistaking the'opulence' for class....it isn't... it is a dump.

By Billy.. Posted December 14 2008 at 2:05 AM.

The same thing happened to me and my 2 friends a few years ago in Dubai. We were driving along peacefully when we were cut up by an aggresive driver and were very lucky not to be involved in nasty accident because of his stupidity. I raised my middle finger and swore it him from my open window. We were then followed by this idiot driver who then tried to overtake us - eventually we stopped as this was an accident waiting to happen -at that point a Police Car swerved in front of us lights flashing and sirens on. Result, all of us arrested and spent the night in the Police station. Apparently the idiot driver was an undercover "Religious Police Officer" and my middle finger was enough to warrant the full force of the law. Luckily we were realeased without charge the following day - I've never been back since!

By Christopher Lees.. Posted December 14 2008 at 12:44 AM.