Our name getting dragged into the murky world of ME politics - released UAE files in the Guardian

[Dubai Blue]

How so?

Like I said numerous times, I wasn't advocating that lad's loony opinions. Just using them to illustrate a point.

I'd be interested to hear your opinion though, as an expat living out there.

You've said yourself that his opinions are loony so why are you repeating them as though they actually mean anything? Emiratis only make up 10% of the country's population so the chances of an uprising are literally non-existent.

 

[cucumberman]

It depends on how much you can bite your tongue really mate.

You can live somewhere and have a lifestyle that certainly someone such as myself never thought possible, where every weekend is like a holiday and the standard of living is amazing.

However, and this is difficult, you can't put a foot out of place or you're fucked. There is no free press and no real freedom to challenge anything. So lots of things begin to grate after a while and one just had to take it on the chin and accept it as being the price you pay for living where you do. I personally, after two and a half years, still think the benefits outweigh the downsides, but I love where I live on The Pearl (Qatar's version of the Palm, Dubai). But lots of people tend to have a 2-4 year 'lifespan' here.

I miss the UK and City lots though every game is televised which is some small benefit. But I have to say, when I look on Facebook during the week, it's my UK mates doing the majority of moaning about life and work. I guess the grass can always seem greener and it's up to the individual to make the most of where and when they are in their life.

Personally I'd recommend it for anyone that can get a good job out here. It certainly gives you a different view of things.

Expats like the red on Reddit may have a moan in the safely of Internet anonymity but I can honestly say I've never once met an Emirati or Qatari national that has ever moaned about the rulers, they have no need to. They don't pay interest on their mortgages, pay for utilities and average wage for them is well over $150k per year. Why would they?

The part in bold is true. I have been to Oman, Qatar, states in the UAE and their people have nothing but good things to say about their rulers. I've had a general audience with one of the HRH and the office is open for literally any of his subjects to come in (I assume with preset appointments) and sit and have tea and air their grievances. Just like the days of old they still maintain this culture. For what it's worth the only people in the country who complains about the state of living are those who came from other countries to work there because they expect more. Hardly surprising because in Qatari for example, the annual income for a newborn is $100k per year or so I was told by the Qataris.

 

[SWP's back]

Thanks for the response mate, sounds like an experience if nothing else. Given the wages they pay I'd imagine you'd come home with some savings in your pocket should you have enough of it anyway.

Re the red on reddit, he wasn't actually an expat. He was a UAE native, IIRC he was actually from Abu Dhabi. Can't remember if he explicitly said that or if I was reading between the lines though. He definitely wasn't an expat though.

Like I said, I'm no expert, but surely that can't be right re the average wage?

From what little I know, that's the obvious carrot that's dangled to keep any potential disquiet under wraps, the general living standards. But surely the average wage isn't that high?

The wage is correct for nationals (not expats or migrant workers) and obviously women don't usually have to work.

You've also got to remember that many are far far in excess of the mean average. It's (Qatar) a nation of 2.5m with less than 10% having the luxury of citizenship. I've never met a Qatari earning less than 35,000 QAR per month ($10,000) and whilst you may ask why I am nosey **** asking for their earnings, it's an integral part of my job to do so obviously. To give it balance, teachers at a decently secondary school out here with half a dozen years experience would be on very close to that. And obviously none pay tax. A further thing to remember is that no companyies can set up here (outside of the Qatar Financial Centre) without a majority shareholder holding citizenship. So it's pretty much a license to print money and it's not unusual for a Qatari to be a majority shareholder in 6 or 7 companies without having anything to do with any of them other than take their dividend.

 

[George Hannah]

'How so?
Like I said numerous times, I wasn't advocating that lad's loony opinions. Just using them to illustrate a pint'

 

[buzzer1]

Mate, they've been following me around for months, routinely taking pot shots in random threads. The hostility is tedious. How would you respond?

I've had a couple warnings and a ban for responding to their insults. I can't win, just being baited continuously. And my reply is strange?

Do you have nothing to say for the original one aimed my way?

I didn't see the original thread, and this was the first time I'd heard of this. Shoot me.

Mate you will never win... i used to get wound up to fuk years ago but now i just laugh at them...let them keep there own self importance..they bounce around the forum as if they own the right to your thoughts and beliefs, shutting you down at everyturn, mobbin' up like little bitches because you know why dont you? THAT IS ALL THEY ARE AND EVER WILL BE. If you are a rag then so what..alls i see is a straight forward post and topic for the board members to discuss,or not,that is all....maybe start a thread about some woman in the press and whether you would or wouldnt, or what you are having for tea tonight...just fuk the lot of em mate:)

 

[Helmet Cole]

Wibble.

 

[Ducado]

Mate you will never win... i used to get wound up to fuk years ago but now i just laugh at them...let them keep there own self importance..they bounce around the forum as if they own the right to your thoughts and beliefs, shutting you down at everyturn, mobbin' up like little bitches because you know why dont you? THAT IS ALL THEY ARE AND EVER WILL BE. If you are a rag then so what..alls i see is a straight forward post and topic for the board members to discuss,or not,that is all....maybe start a thread about some woman in the press and whether you would or wouldnt, or what you are having for tea tonight...just fuk the lot of em mate:)

To be fair if you start posting "out here" idea's what do you really expect? It's not really surprising that most people just take the piss I am surprised that you are surprised, do you just want a platform where you can post stuff about shape shifting interdenominational beings for example and people just to sit there and agree with you? If you do I think you are posting in the wrong place and I doubt that you find many places made up of normal reaso, you don't seem to have any curiosity or a questioning mind when it comes to a lot of the stuff you post, like where does it come from and what are the motives for publishing it, by my very nature I am a Fortean meaning that I take nothing at face value and if I see something that interests me I try and research the subject in depth, you would be surprised where it leads you!

As for the OP, he has a history of general negativity towards the club, it's always rather slyly delivered but it's there and has been noticed by numerous people over the last few months

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

So will Villa Park be a potential target if Cameron is involved?

 

[Zuriblue]

So will Villa Park be a potential target if Cameron is involved?

More like Upton Park.

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

Not really shocked this thread was started by this poster. He isn't fooling me.