In the UAE citizens are called locals. Many foreigners think by default that locals are relatively bad people than us - expats. This is a pure bias in my opinion. Why? Because expats do not let themselves go into the society and try to integrate. I guess this is a seriously BIG topic I have chosen here. But let me tell you a bit about local culture here. Main religion in the UAE is Islam, so that makes every local a Muslim by default. In Islam there are certain sets of rules and regulations (if you will) you must follow. One of them is dressing appropriately. Dressing itself can be a major topic if you want to discuss it, but let's focus on locals for now.
As in everywhere in the world, there are bad locals and good locals. This applies to any country of our planet. There is just no place with good people only. If you happened to deal with bad locals, I feel sorry for you. In my personal experience being here for 8 years, I have never felt discriminated. There is a distinctive difference between being discriminated and prioritized in the UAE. For instance: when you arrive in Frankfurt airport, there are different types of passport control booths. One is for EU citizens, and another for foreigners. In Dubai airport it is the same, but many people think it is sort of discrimination to allow your citizens have a dedicated lane. I think it is a pure prioritization, and you should accept it as a real fact. There are countries that don't even prioritize its citizens.
All locals are rich! This is what an average person would think about UAE citizens. Yes, in comparison to other nations, they are richer, but it does not mean they have no financial obligations. Actually, many of them have huge financial liabilities toward local banks, because banks in the UAE easily lend money to locals. Again, there are super rich locals, rich locals and ordinary ones. Of course an ordinary local would also have a house, several cars, and etc... There is a clear difference in the way they dress, what they drive and where they work. I know for sure that Dubai Government assists Dubai locals to get a land, and build a house. House is a huge issue for any person. If you have your own house, the rest can be achieved somehow.
Locals are uneducated! Yet another bias. Locals in the UAE get a free education. That means it is available for every layer of society. Islam strongly encourages to educate yourself. Nobody can force a person to do something he/she does not want. So, education is beneficial, but it does not mean everyone will choose this way and study. Some locals here are very much educated and some are less. Mostly, older generation is less educated than the new one, because back in old times there were no proper universities or institutions. Someone I know teaches at one of the Dubai universities. According to him, it is difficult for locals to study in their own country, simply because many specialists teachers/professors come from western hemisphere, hence locals sort of have to study English language before they actually start main education. It is like being a foreign student and pass IELTS or TOEFL in your own country. I hope that in future there will be more Arabic professors and teachers too.
Locals drive like crazy and do not respect other drivers! I would say, not in Dubai. Or, it is less here in Dubai. If you observe carefully, most of reckless drivers have either Northern Emirates or Abu Dhabi number plates. Dubai locals drive far better than those who come from other emirates. In my personal opinion, Abu Dhabi locals drive most recklessly. Now, expats are also no saints. Some of them drive crazier than locals.
As in everywhere in the world, there are bad locals and good locals. This applies to any country of our planet. There is just no place with good people only. If you happened to deal with bad locals, I feel sorry for you. In my personal experience being here for 8 years, I have never felt discriminated. There is a distinctive difference between being discriminated and prioritized in the UAE. For instance: when you arrive in Frankfurt airport, there are different types of passport control booths. One is for EU citizens, and another for foreigners. In Dubai airport it is the same, but many people think it is sort of discrimination to allow your citizens have a dedicated lane. I think it is a pure prioritization, and you should accept it as a real fact. There are countries that don't even prioritize its citizens.
All locals are rich! This is what an average person would think about UAE citizens. Yes, in comparison to other nations, they are richer, but it does not mean they have no financial obligations. Actually, many of them have huge financial liabilities toward local banks, because banks in the UAE easily lend money to locals. Again, there are super rich locals, rich locals and ordinary ones. Of course an ordinary local would also have a house, several cars, and etc... There is a clear difference in the way they dress, what they drive and where they work. I know for sure that Dubai Government assists Dubai locals to get a land, and build a house. House is a huge issue for any person. If you have your own house, the rest can be achieved somehow.
Locals are uneducated! Yet another bias. Locals in the UAE get a free education. That means it is available for every layer of society. Islam strongly encourages to educate yourself. Nobody can force a person to do something he/she does not want. So, education is beneficial, but it does not mean everyone will choose this way and study. Some locals here are very much educated and some are less. Mostly, older generation is less educated than the new one, because back in old times there were no proper universities or institutions. Someone I know teaches at one of the Dubai universities. According to him, it is difficult for locals to study in their own country, simply because many specialists teachers/professors come from western hemisphere, hence locals sort of have to study English language before they actually start main education. It is like being a foreign student and pass IELTS or TOEFL in your own country. I hope that in future there will be more Arabic professors and teachers too.
Locals drive like crazy and do not respect other drivers! I would say, not in Dubai. Or, it is less here in Dubai. If you observe carefully, most of reckless drivers have either Northern Emirates or Abu Dhabi number plates. Dubai locals drive far better than those who come from other emirates. In my personal opinion, Abu Dhabi locals drive most recklessly. Now, expats are also no saints. Some of them drive crazier than locals.
