Driving in Dubai Vs the Rest of the World

How they give directions Drive straight for a kilometre and turn left on Derry Road How we give directions It’s on the kaccha road opposite Pizza Hut Why they use their car horns… Continue reading →

The Myth of the Compact Cell Phone

Over the years, most forms of technology seem to have gotten smaller. But for some reason cell phone manufacturers have decided to be rebels, releasing larger phones year after year. I’m sure there’s… Continue reading →

The Real UAE Driving License Test

The process for getting a driving license in the UAE has changed a lot in the last few years. One of the more recent changes is a theory component that tackles road safety.… Continue reading →

Is it Time for All-Female Aircraft Sections?

Living in the Middle East I’ve noticed that there are many spaces that allow women the opportunity to be in an all-female environment including public transportation, hair dressers and on certain days of… Continue reading →

Airport Taxis: The Most Taxing Aspect of Travel

One of the nice things about Dubai Airport is that both terminal 1 and 3 are accessible via metro. One of the not nice things is that I somehow always end up returning… Continue reading →

You Know You Live in Dubai When…

You associate Friday brunch with drunken British expats rather than eggs and toast The cost of petrol is less than the cost of using the metro You see more cranes than trees You… Continue reading →

Common Job Interview Questions in Dubai

Dubai, home to many nationalities, is also home to companies with equally diverse management styles. Some are undoubtedly more professional than others. Here are a few common interview questions you can expect from organisations… Continue reading →

Umbrellas are Raining on my Commute

The one thing I like less than rain is umbrellas. And yes, I see the irony. Before I moved to sunny Dubai I usually relied on hooded sweatshirts and newspapers to avoid the rain.… Continue reading →

Dubai’s Unofficial Driving Rules

It’s been a while since I got my driver’s license. Evidently the official driving rules I was taught no longer seem to matter. Based on months of observation here are the unofficial driving rules of… Continue reading →

Air France Tickets: A Perfect Gift for Your Enemies

While I recently claimed I would never fly Air France again, I made this bold statement without thinking about my return journey. I had already paid for a round trip and frankly I did… Continue reading →

Conversations with Customer Service

Anyone who lives in the UAE can attest to the fact that customer service is usually far from exemplary. While I suspect customer service is a problem in many countries, conversations with customer… Continue reading →

The Road to Scary Driving Starts in Dubai

If you regularly read this space you’ve probably figured out that I’m not too thrilled with the people I meet on the bus and metro. So you might be wondering why I don’t… Continue reading →