Author Topic: Dubai Master Thread (Read 369022 times)

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I had about a 9 hour stopover.
While speaking with flight attendants, I asked and was told that I can walk around Dubai the way I was dressed (hat, jacket, white shirt, tzitzis, beard etc) and no one would mind. People there simply don't care enough.

I landed, met up with a cousin, and we took the train to the mall.
We walked around the mall for a while, saw the water show, then took a walk around the outside of the mall.

We came back into the mall from one of the main entrances.
Not long after walking in, two security guards approached us, and told us to follow them.
We walked down one of those hallways off to the side that you have in every mall, then through those Employee Only doors, and into an elevator...
On the spot, I decided it might be a good idea to post my live location on my family WhatsApp group...

Anyhow, we went up a floor, came out of the elevator, to what looked like... the delivery docks.
We crossed through that area and weny through another set of doors... out to another one of those hallways, and nicely turn into a... concierge lounge. Phew!

They sit us down and ask for our passports (American), we gave them, hoping for the best.
They asked us what we were doing there, and we told them. They asked for our boarding passes (I guess to verify our story).
Meanwhile one of them brought us water bottles, while the other one of them was on his phone, speaking in Arabic.

After a while, they were like- ok, all good.
We're like - what??

They explained... "The way you are dressed makes it very obvious who you are, and it's not necessary to get into the frictions that it can cause... (That's what they said!),
Therefore for the sake of your safety, we are asking you to take off the very identifying things."
They explained that we can do whatever we want in the UAE, but if we want to stay in the mall, this is what they are asking us to do.

We were fine with that, put the hat and jacket into the carry-on (thankfully it wasn't packed so the hat was alright) and we put on hoodies instead

. We joked with them that it made us look even more suspicious.

They asked us how much longer we wanted to stay, and where we still wanted to go in the mall, and escorted us there.

Thankfully it was only a half and hour before we were planning on going back, so it didn't ruin much.
Till then we had enjoyed a good bunch of pleasant uninterrupted hours in a hat and jacket in Dubai

.

BTW, the entire time that I was wearing my hat and jacket, I didn't notice even one person looking upset or anything like that at all. (I was looking out for it).

It's was a funny experience overall (looking back), and I think it made for some good history!

KSMH · « **Reply #926 on:** July 01, 2020, 01:08:38 AM »

Quote from: lcm on July 01, 2020, 12:57:01 AM

OT, but...
Funny story to share of when I was in Dubai around pesach time last year.

(I wasn't really there for long enough to warrant a TR )

I had about a 9 hour stopover.
While speaking with flight attendants, I asked and was told that I can walk around Dubai the way I was dressed (hat, jacket, white shirt, tzitzis, beard etc) and no one would mind. People there simply don't care enough.

I landed, met up with a cousin, and we took the train to the mall.
We walked around the mall for a while, saw the water show, then took a walk around the outside of the mall.

We came back into the mall from one of the main entrances.
Not long after walking in, two security guards approached us, and told us to follow them.
We walked down one of those hallways off to the side that you have in every mall, then through those Employee Only doors, and into an elevator...
On the spot, I decided it might be a good idea to post my live location on my family WhatsApp group...

Anyhow, we went up a floor, came out of the elevator, to what looked like... the delivery docks.
We crossed through that area and weny through another set of doors... out to another one of those hallways, and nicely turn into a... concierge lounge. Phew!

They sit us down and ask for our passports (American), we gave them, hoping for the best.
They asked us what we were doing there, and we told them. They asked for our boarding passes (I guess to verify our story).
Meanwhile one of them brought us water bottles, while the other one of them was on his phone, speaking in Arabic.

After a while, they were like- ok, all good.
We're like - what??

They explained... "The way you are dressed makes it very obvious who you are, and it's not necessary to get into the frictions that it can cause... (That's what they said!),
Therefore for the sake of your safety, we are asking you to take off the very identifying things."
They explained that we can do whatever we want in the UAE, but if we want to stay in the mall, this is what they are asking us to do.

We were fine with that, put the hat and jacket into the carry-on (thankfully it wasn't packed so the hat was alright) and we put on hoodies instead . We joked with them that it made us look even more suspicious.

They asked us how much longer we wanted to stay, and where we still wanted to go in the mall, and escorted us there.

Thankfully it was only a half and hour before we were planning on going back, so it didn't ruin much.
Till then we had enjoyed a good bunch of pleasant uninterrupted hours in a hat and jacket in Dubai .

BTW, the entire time that I was wearing my hat and jacket, I didn't notice even one person looking upset or anything like that at all. (I was looking out for it).

It's was a funny experience overall (looking back), and I think it made for some good history!

Not the first such story, just curious, why look for trouble? U can wear black and white just dont wear obvious identifiable religious garb!

lcm · « **Reply #927 on:** July 01, 2020, 01:20:30 AM »

Just read up thread. Saw that.
There wasn't supposed to be trouble, as per the flight attendants...
I know that is kind of ignoring things that might be obvious, but between their reassurance and the experience it would be, I decided to go with it

.

Kobe Bryant · « **Reply #928 on:** September 03, 2020, 05:12:21 PM »

A number of hotels in the UAE will start offering kosher food, including Hilton Dubai, V Hotel, Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotel, Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection LLC, Metropolitan Hotel.

Joel · « **Reply #929 on:** September 07, 2020, 02:38:15 PM »

https://twitter.com/Thani75/status/1302828138922151936?s=20

lcm · « **Reply #930 on:** September 07, 2020, 06:42:06 PM »

Quote from: KSMH on July 01, 2020, 01:08:38 AM

Not the first such story, just curious, why look for trouble? U can wear black and white just dont wear obvious identifiable religious garb!

And now it's being admired

KSMH · « **Reply #931 on:** September 07, 2020, 07:22:58 PM »

Quote from: lcm on September 07, 2020, 06:42:06 PM

And now it's being admired

My statement still stands.

lcm · « **Reply #932 on:** September 07, 2020, 07:27:49 PM »

Quote from: KSMH on September 07, 2020, 07:22:58 PM

My statement still stands.

I hear you.
Notice the guy on the right is wearing a baseball cap. Bad attempt

KSMH · « **Reply #933 on:** September 07, 2020, 07:28:49 PM »

Quote from: lcm on September 07, 2020, 07:27:49 PM

I hear you.
Notice the guy on the right is wearing a baseball cap. Bad attempt

Just a general note; in places where there can be a safety risk, dont look different.

zevi · « **Reply #934 on:** September 23, 2020, 10:46:41 PM »

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

First Ever Kosher Program In Dubai!!!

Be part of history and enjoy the first ever Kosher program At the 5-STAR "Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City" while Touring the scenic and HISTORIC Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

• Choose amongst many option of comfortable high standards rooms

• A Nice Sukka.

• Three meals will be provided (buffet style).. Shabbes and Yom Tov waiter/ waitress VIP service under the strict Hashgacha of the OU — 24 hour Tea Room.

- Price per person: $4999.
- Per couple: $8499.
- 3rd person and more: (same room) $3999.
- Child up 12 years-old: $3499.
- Baby: $200

Flights not included.

Due to it being the first ever Jewish program in Dubai, Small changes are possible also as far as Covid-19 etc..

Availability may run out quick as many people showed interest.

Feel free to call or WhatsApp us at 347-881-6751

Looking forward to host you!!!

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #935 on:** September 23, 2020, 10:50:10 PM »

Quote from: zevi on September 23, 2020, 10:46:41 PM

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

First Ever Kosher Program In Dubai!!!

Be part of history and enjoy the first ever Kosher program At the 5-STAR "Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City" while Touring the scenic and HISTORIC Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

• Choose amongst many option of comfortable high standards rooms

• A Nice Sukka.

• Three meals will be provided (buffet style).. Shabbes and Yom Tov waiter/ waitress VIP service under the strict Hashgacha of the OU — 24 hour Tea Room.

- Price per person: $4999.
- Per couple: $8499.
- 3rd person and more: (same room) $3999.
- Child up 12 years-old: $3499.
- Baby: $200

Flights not included.

Due to it being the first ever Jewish program in Dubai, Small changes are possible also as far as Covid-19 etc..

Availability may run out quick as many people showed interest.

Feel free to call or WhatsApp us at 347-xxx-xxxx

Looking forward to host you!!!