An open letter to anyone who will listen

[alli]

I'm writing to convey my disgust and horror at an event that happened last night. I was punched whilst waiting for a ride at Wild Wadi.



Long story short, this woman demanded my friend hand over the bodyboard (which my friend had picked up from the end of the ride), and when my friend refused, she started swearing at us, called us "english whores'' and told us to "go back to your own country''



Now I have been in the UAE only a short time and have been told that the Arab people are incredibly polite and tolerant. I have been nothing but respectful to the culture since I arrived and always make sure that I am modest, polite and patient.



To be faced with this horrible woman and to be on the end of her insults and threats was something I didn't ever expect to have to deal with in a place such as Dubai.



Not only was this woman incredibly racist, but she swore at us and then, as she walked past me stepped on my food deliberately. I pushed her off my foot and away from me - to which she took two steps, turned around and punched me in the face.



I wanted to go to the police, but the last thing I wanted to do was be in a cell for the night. The other woman baited me, and told me to call the police - which instantly triggered alarm bells in my head. Did she have family in the police? Would I be heard or simply dismissed as a stupid expat? I didn't need much more convincing to leave the park and just go to bed.



This woman is a regular customer at Wild Wadi - I asked Wild Wadi management to ban her from the park. They refused.



My time in Dubai has been ruined.

[qwert97]

Wow, thats unheard of and pretty disgusting! I am sorry to hear that.

Alli, I think you did the right thing by not calling the cops since it appears that this woman had connections. Its not worth the trouble! You are doing the right thing by spreading the word around. If possible, you should post a blog against Wild Wadi!

[Maz25]

I'm really sorry to hear that. I agree that it is absolutely disgusting and racist behaviour and was totally unnecessary. And to think it was over a body board! I've always been treated very well everytime I have visited Dubai and that is one of the reasons why I am coming back to work. I am certainly shocked to hear about the other side of the locals in Dubai. I hope that you are feeling better and please do not let this incident spoil your time in Dubai.

You were indeed right not to call the police. Unfortunately, when you are in someone else's country, you just never know who has connections. You were very obviously the victim here but who knows what the police would have done! I admire you for not stooping down to that woman's level; I, for one, would probably have lost my cool and would all probability have been sitting in a cell by now. Wild Wadi has now been crossed off my list of places that I intend to visit when I get to Dubai.

Hope that you can put this unfortunate incident behind you soon and that you can continue to enjoy your time in Dubai.

[Elphaba]

Alli

I am so sorry to read this. What a horrible thing to happen. You were probably right in not going to the police, as she may welll have had connections and she speaks Arabic, which I assume you do not. I suggest however, that you send a letter of complaint to the Jumeirah Group, as that is probably the best way to get a reaction.

In my experience, most Emiratis (although do you know if this woman was an Emirati??) are decent people, so please don't let one bad apple taint your views of Dubai.

-

[mazdaRX8]

A country ain't that great, when you can't defend(key word) yourself against someone and if in case you do, the authorities have a biased side which prevents you from going to them in the first place.

[Mrman]

Not good.

I would send a letter to the park owner group as well as post in any related blog.

IMO, Dubai and in particular tourist destinations like Wild Wadi have been built for "English whores" and the like. There is no way they would survive on just local population attendance (or attendance of only "connected" people).

If word starts getting out and WW starts losing the western money that it was built to accumulate, that might be the only way to influence that behavior.

[Pasanada]

Words fail me!!! So sorry to hear this, Alli. Please don't let it put you off your new life in Dubai, I've only ever known Emiraties to be polite and welcoming. There is always a bad apple in every nationality.

Mind you, if I was called an English whore, I would have thanked her for the compliment and walked off (that so pisses people off!! LOL)

Keep your chin up and keep smiling!

[JunFan]

Alli, what a terrible experience and hats off to you for keeping your cool! I would hate to see the state of that woman if she did that to my wife. It would have been interesting if you did call the police especially if you had witnesses. I think many locals think they can get away with anything and if the hierarchy want this country to succeed in attracting the 'western tourist' then they need to start to change their ways!

[Longhorn]

Dang, glad you turned the other cheek on that woman. Just goes to show there are rude people no matter where you are in the world.

[cairogal]

Wow....some people like to pretend they wasta even when they don't. still...
you don't want to have to worry about calling that bluff. A) Write the gulf news, The National, all Dubai blogs, and share this story. B) Post the email for whomever you end up contacting at the Jumeirah Group. I'll gladly give them a piece of my mind. How do things get fixed in the UAE? With bad publicitity that harms the image of the nation. This woman might not be dealt with, but it puts WW on guard for handling similar events in the future.