I came across a website the other day called http://www.istillbelieveindubai.com/ that was created in an effort to counter the massive negative publicity that Dubai has faced in the last few months. The concept of the website is to get locals, residents, and even people who simply admire the city to pledge that they still believe in Dubai and what it stands for, despite all the heat it has been facing recently. The pledgers are given the opportunity to list the reasons why they believe in Dubai, and all the entries will then be collated into a logbook that will hopefully be sent to the local government as a token of appreciation for the opportunities that Dubai openly offers to people from around the world.
Not only did this website get me to smile, as I am a huge fan of Dubai, but it also got me to thinking. What more could people possibly want out of a city? Now, I realize that the bad press that’s been haunting Dubai is obviously a result of various things, none of which I care to discuss at the moment but my point is that even before events like the collapse of Dubai World, I had heard so many people bemoaning Dubai. It was never fun enough, or green enough, or cultural enough. Dubai could never live up to “back home,” and was always falling short on one front or another.
To these naysayers I always roll my eyes. Honestly, how much more do you need to be satisfied? Dubai offers people opportunities unparalleled by any other city in the Middle East. Not only can you build a strong career here with one of the many multinationals who have set up their regional headquarters in this burgeoning city, but you could maintain a healthy social life filled with any type of recreation you choose. Go off-roading in the desert on Friday morning, followed by a night out at one of the many glamorous hot spots. On Satuday, enjoy a full on brunch at the JBR walk and then go for a whirl on a jet ski. Motorsport fantatic? No problem, hit up the Dubai Autodrome. Sky diving? We got it covered. Thousands of happy flyers served to date.
Hit back at one of these whiners with such facts and you’re more than likely to be faced with the worn out argument “Tayib, Dubai has no culture!” Erm, you do realize that you are watching the creation of the culture, right? You are witnessing history in the making every single day, as the buildings that you complain are rising too quickly will soon be iconic landmarks to last for decades to come. Of course Dubai isn’t going to be blossoming with cool urban culture like New York City, as to be fair it has a couple centuries to catch up on.
Not only did this website get me to smile, as I am a huge fan of Dubai, but it also got me to thinking. What more could people possibly want out of a city? Now, I realize that the bad press that’s been haunting Dubai is obviously a result of various things, none of which I care to discuss at the moment but my point is that even before events like the collapse of Dubai World, I had heard so many people bemoaning Dubai. It was never fun enough, or green enough, or cultural enough. Dubai could never live up to “back home,” and was always falling short on one front or another.
To these naysayers I always roll my eyes. Honestly, how much more do you need to be satisfied? Dubai offers people opportunities unparalleled by any other city in the Middle East. Not only can you build a strong career here with one of the many multinationals who have set up their regional headquarters in this burgeoning city, but you could maintain a healthy social life filled with any type of recreation you choose. Go off-roading in the desert on Friday morning, followed by a night out at one of the many glamorous hot spots. On Satuday, enjoy a full on brunch at the JBR walk and then go for a whirl on a jet ski. Motorsport fantatic? No problem, hit up the Dubai Autodrome. Sky diving? We got it covered. Thousands of happy flyers served to date.
Hit back at one of these whiners with such facts and you’re more than likely to be faced with the worn out argument “Tayib, Dubai has no culture!” Erm, you do realize that you are watching the creation of the culture, right? You are witnessing history in the making every single day, as the buildings that you complain are rising too quickly will soon be iconic landmarks to last for decades to come. Of course Dubai isn’t going to be blossoming with cool urban culture like New York City, as to be fair it has a couple centuries to catch up on.
The funny thing is that everyone acknowledges that living in Dubai raises your standards so high that often you find yourself unimpressed with anything less than 7 star. Travel abroad and the service you receive will disappoint you more often than not, as Dubai makes you expect only the very best out of everything and everyone. Is it possible that we've developed such refined taste that even Dubai itself doesn't make our cut anymore?
My friends, we are watching a grand city being built right before our eyes. If you are aware of this and are still not content then the solution is simple really: pack your bags and go home. Nobody is forcing you to stay, but I have a sneaky feeling you would regret it if you left.
No comments:
Post a Comment