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91K views 145 replies 58 participants last post by  Sam1978 
#1 ·
Hi Ladies,

been browsing the forums to see if there is any of you who are in 'my shoes'? Just for chats and advice really.. 26yrs, new in dubai and finding it hard to meet people, it seems its easier if u have kiddies coz then at least you can got to the mum and baby groups ;)

not really into the idea of putting all my info on the web but would love it if theres any of you ladies that can relate to my situation or (just like me) finding it hard to meet new friends.. :)
 
#6 ·
Hi MsC :)
I'm moving to Dubai at the end of August and I'm similar age to you - 27. I'm married (to an English man, not Emirati) but would be happy to meet up for coffee if we get the time! We're moving to start teaching at a new school out there, so will be very busy to start with, but if you'd still like to meet up once we've settled in, I'd be more than happy to :)
Apart from people we'll be working with, I won't know any girls out there either, so I'll be in the same boat as you. x
 
#8 ·
hi there! Welcome to Dubai! I am from Ireland and been living here in Dubai for almost 4 years. I married an Emirati last October and are now expecting our first child. I have to say it is very difficult meeting friends here. You meet friends then they leave. Or there is the other situation where you go out have a great night, meets lots of people and exchange numbers, but you never hear from them again, even if you try to call them. I would love to hear from you and you can email me and perhaps meet up sometime!

Gilly:)
 
#13 ·
Hi Gilly,

Just saw your thread too! I have also been in Dubai for 4 years and got married last October to an Emirati. It's always nice to meet fellow expats in the same situation, people who are here for the long haul! Feel free to get in touch, perhaps we could make Ms.C welcome :)
 
#11 ·
Hi Mrs. C! welcome welcome welcome welcome!!!

and congrats on your new marriage! may it be happy healthy and joyous!

how long have you been in Dubai for?

I'm 25 yrs old, American, not married to an Emirati (or married at all, for that matter) but i am always down to meet cool new people in the age group! where in dubai are you??

also, a great way to meet people is at fitness classes-- zumba, african dance, yoga, etc-- check out you local gym and see whats going on there and you're guaranteed to meet people there. there's also a whole host of pottery/cooking/jewelry making/painting etc classes that you can meet loads of great dubai-ers.

if you wanna meet up-- send me a message and we will make it happen!
 
#17 ·
Hey girls, I just saw your thread (although not married to an Emirati) I am very interested in meeting some new people around my age (30). I moved to Dubai from Sweden in late July to work for an american law firm. Have my boyfriend in Abu Dhabi so it can be quite lonely in the weeks.

Did you ever meet up all of you? Maybe I can join?

Ellie
 
#18 ·
Wow! So nice to hear from so many people in the same place as me. I am American 23 years old, and I married a Lebanese man. But even tho he is of Lebanese nationality, he was born and raised in Dubai. I met him when he came to the USA for school. And we will probably be moving to Dubai around January. I would live to talk to some women in the Dubai area, especially if you are Christian and married to a Muslim, or a Muslim convert married to a Muslim. Would like to shares experiences and maybe make some friends before I move down there.
 
#19 ·
Hiya :) I'm moving to Dubai in November :) Happily married to a Bosnian Muslim, and alhamdullilah a convert as of April :D we have a beautiful baby girl who is 16 months old :))) we're very excited about the move, however not too popular with the grandparents as you can imagine. look forward to talking to new people from all walks of life inshallah
Ps. Forgot to mention we're from Australia :)

Sent from my iPhone using ExpatForum
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
mar7ba

hey ladies, I'm from Europe and been living in UAE for long time and planning to get married to my emarati boyfriend. I know much about the culture, locals etc but I really would like to hear the opinion of those who are already married to an emirati. Reaction & acceptance of the family, dealing with his family, "change" of the husband after marriage etc. Are you guys covered? do you work etc?
 
#28 ·
hey ladies, I'm from Europe and been living in UAE for long time and planning to get married to my emarati boyfriend. I know much about the culture, locals etc but I really would like to hear the opinion of those who are already married to an emirati. Reaction & acceptance of the family, dealing with his family, "change" of the husband after marriage etc. Are you guys covered? do you work etc?
Hi emaratiya!
Which country are you from? I'm spanish married to an emarati. My experience has been positive. His family was a bit reluctant to the marriage when he first announced that he wanted to marry me, but it took them only a couple of months to chnage their mind and finally accepted the engagement. Eversince they have been always very nice and treated me like a daughter/sister. Some members of the extended family have been a bit more sceptical about the marriage because they are more close minded, but they are still respectfull. Has he introduced you to his family already?

I'm not covered except for certain occasions in which I may wear an abaya. Also, I continued working after marriage. However, this is my experience, and you need to keep in mind that each experience is different. I think it is very important to clear where each of you stand. After all, it's a different culture so you need to know exactly what to expect from each other. Also, in the marriage contact you may add clauses (it's a very common practice) such as you will keep your job or your husband won't interfiere in your professional life.

I hope this helped a bit. When are you getting married?
 
#21 ·
Hi there!

I just found this post searching in Internet information about mixed couples especially between Emiratis and Europeans as I am currently in this situation. :love:
I am a girl from Europe and my boyfriend is from UAE.

I would like to get in touch with girls in my same situation, so please feel free to send me a private message.

Thank you
 
#24 ·
hii :)

ooooh yes! it is really hard to meet people here in dubai even there are a lot of people from all over the world hahahah
I am 24 years old and from vienna-austria but my background is from jordan and 8 month ago i got married and we moved to dubai because of the company of my husband and yeah i still don't know many people. But as i see a lot of people are like this hahahaha It would be so nice if there would be a ladies group that always meets :D
 
#27 ·
Hellooooooo ladies,

I have been in Dubai since February 2012, and finding it hard to meet new people (NICE people).
I got so happy reading your posts and realizing there are actually people like me! :D
My boyfriend is here, both of us are Lebanese, but he has 2 jobs (day and night) and I am alone most of the time.

I would love to have new friends (not only my boyfriend's friends), but most of people around seem rude!

I will try to join the group Just For Us Ladies In Dubai in the hope of meeting new nice people.

Cheeeeers
 
#31 ·
You are right.....because preparing a "marriage contract" means that you love and trust that person wholly and unintentionally? The man could very well, one day decide that he didn't like the food that his wife has prepared and divorce the woman, hold her and her children captive in the UAE because she agreed to hand over her passport and sign her life off to her husband.

Why is it necessary to sign a contract to allow the wife to work in the first place? It's a marriage, not a prison sentence. Just another example of the archaic way of life that some people practice.
 
#32 ·
Exactly like you said, it's a marriage not a prison sentence. We don't all plan on divorcing our wives if we don't like their cooking....unless they deliberately try to poison us! :p. I'm just saying, people get married because they "love and trust that person wholly"....

Besides, seriously that's a silly clause...if somebody holds your passport you can just go to the embassy and get a new one. You're not protecting yourself by "that much" by putting in a clause like that....

Just go in with a bit more faith is all I'm saying :D....maybe adding a clause like him not stopping you from working or maintaining a certain standard of living etc...
 
#36 ·
I'll tell you why it's not a silly clause. No one gets into a marriage preparing for the worst. However, speaking from experience, when I got divorced, the Emarati Lawyer that my husband hired advised him that even though we are getting divorced and I get full custody of my child, the passports stay with him. Which basically means that I would not be able to leave the country without his permission. Luckily for me, my husband and I are very close and he shot the idea down instantly. But there are plenty of people that aren't so lucky.

Like I said, if someone is silly enough to even entertain the idea of signing a contract or needs to take permission from their spouse to be able to work, then making sure that you hold on to your passport really isn't that silly at all.
 
#38 ·
I wasn't married to an Emirati but if this is the case....then put each and every clause in that contract that you can think of because if and when all hell breaks loose, that contract is the only thing that will protect the rights that you as an equal are entitled to any other place in this world.
 
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