Dubai Expat Pros & Cons

Laborers have no rights at all

When it comes to the construction workers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and The Philippines, the Dubai Labor Law situation gets really bad. Those guys, whose wages are comparable to a monthly installment for an average car, are the main workforce behind the Dubai dream - building world's largest skyscrapers, air conditioned horse stables and artificial marinas.

Customer service is awful

I have to make a remark that the customer service in small cafes or shops can be great as long as it does not involve any extra thinking. But when it comes to being a little flexible, the service staff in Dubai is pretty difficult to deal with.

And the customer service is absolutely terrible in "intelligent" companies such as telecom and banks when it comes to canceling the service and doing refunds. I have never had any pleasant experience there. Maybe I am spoiled by highly competitive Moscow but some things were really unacceptable.

Safety is incredible

It is absolutely safe to walk late at night almost anywhere in Dubai. The punishments for offending the law are severe and most of the population strictly abides the laws.

Lack of driving culture

The basic common sense rules are simply not followed at all.

Usage of indicators. Many just do not use them. The most dangerous drivers are youngsters driving expensive cars and changing lanes without informing anyone around. You may horn or flash but it won't work.

It is not uncommon that a huge jeep will start turning right from the fast lane just 50 meters before the turn. Driving 100 kph of course...