Danish in Dubai: culture

Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts

Make your own Shawarma

My all-time favourite snacks is definitely a proper Shawarma.

According to Wikipedia, Shawarma (Arabic: شاورما‎) is an Arab meat preparation originating from Lebanon, where lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, veal, or mixed meats are placed on a spit (commonly a vertical spit in restaurants), and may be grilled for as long as a day. Shavings are cut off the block of meat for serving, and the remainder of the block of meat is kept heated on the rotating spit. Although it can be served in shavings on a plate (generally with accompaniments), shawarma also refers to a sandwich or wrap made with shawarma meat. Shawarma is usually eaten with tabbouleh, fattoush, taboon bread, tomato, and cucumber. Toppings include tahini, hummus, pickled turnips and amba. It is similar to Turkish döner kebab and Greek gyros.

Arabic or not, a few years ago, it was actually not easy to come by a decent Shawarma anywhere in Dubai. Yes, there was a nice place in Satwa off Al Diyaffah Street (now a.k.a. 2nd December Road) that did some good ones. Yes, there might have been one or two places that were alright in Deira. In general, however, it was hard to get the "proper" variety.

Nowadays, there are quite a few places, in the Marina, in Al Barsha and not least the British Kebab Shop in Discovery Gardens, which offer British/European-style 'Doners' and even import their own pita bread. Traditionally, however, Shawarmas are served wrapped in Arabic bread - something you can find in any supermarket in town if you don't fancy trying to bake your own.

Why not make your own Shawarma to your own taste?

It's really not hard work at all and the whole family is bound to love them.

Here's a recipe I got from a Lebanese guy who works in a take-out place in Al Barsha. The spice blend really gets the authentic taste and is everything you would expect of a proper Shawarma. Use you favourite meat; beef, lamb or chicken. It doesn't matter. It all tastes really good. It's the perfect cure for a hangover, excellent for fighting your cravings for dodgy fast food and a great, healthy and tasty lunch snack. All done and dusted in no time.

The reason Shawarmas are so yummy? The secret's in the spices.

Shawarma meat - spice blend:

1 1/2 tsp ground allspice

1/2 tsp ground coriander seeds

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp paprika / preferably smoked (called 'pimento' - you can get it in M&S) or noble sweet

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 red onion

2 cloves garlic

2 tbsp vinaigrette or vinegar

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

500g meat - thinly sliced - either beef, chicken or lamb.

Veg for the Shawarmas:

8 cherry tomatoes, romaine or iceberg lettuce, 1 cucumber, 1 red or green bell pepper, 1 red onion.

Tahina/yogurt-dressing:

1 1/2-2 tbsp Tahina

250ml (half a pint) plain low-fat yogurt

Harissa/chili-sauce:

2 tbsp tomato puree

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp water

1 tsp crushed chili flakes

1 tsp salt

Method:

Prep the veg and chop/dice everything finely. Arrange on a plate so they are easy to add to the Shawarmas.

Tahina-yogurt dressing:

Mix Tahina with yogurt and add salt to taste. Tahina is a liquid paste made from ground sesame seeds. You can find Tahina in most supermarkets in the UAE. Go for the Middle Eastern-pale type made from non-rosted seeds. Keep the Tahina in the fridge after opening.

Harissa-sauce:

Mix tomato puree with salt, water and olive oil. Add chili to taste. Add a tiny amount of ground cayenne pepper if more spicieness is required. You'll have a fine Harissa-sauce.

Shawarma Meat.

Blend the spices with the meat. Peel the garlic cloves and the onion and chop them very finely. Mix the meat and spices with the garlic, onion, 1 tbsp oil and vinegar and leave it to marinate for an hour at room temperature.

Heat-up a large cast iron pan, skillet or wok until it is sizzling hot. Add 1 tbsp oil to the pan and wait for it to heat up. Fry the meat at 3/4 heat for 3-4 minutes till it is fried thoroughly. Stir occasionally, but leave the meat time to get good contact with the pan so it can take colour and become somewhat crispy. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve immediately in Arabic bread or pita bread with the chopped vegetables and Tahina/yogurt-dressing (and Harissa/chili-sauce if you like a bit of a hot kick).

All sorted and they taste really yummy. Enjoy.

UAE National Day - Car Celebrations

Every year on 2nd December it's UAE National Day to commemorate the date of the signing of the union between 6 of the 7 Emirates (Ras Al Khaimah joined a bit later). It's a public holiday and it is marked in different ways, i.e. by fireworks, posters and decorations throughout the emirates and laser-light displays on prominent landmark buildings. It's all very nice.

In the month prior to the occasion, the supermarkets, car dealers and petrol stations are full of UAE-branded merchandise to dress up one's vehicle for the event. That seems to be what most locals and some expats really do on their own: pimp their ride Emirati style.

For a nation that has come such a long way since it was founded only 42 years ago, it seems that it is the car that best symbolises the wealth and prosperity of the Emirates. Some would even say that the UAE went from camel to Cadilac in 25 years, so perhaps it is indeed very appropriate that patriotic affection for one's country be shown through the appearance of one's means of transport. One thing is certain: cars mean the world to most people in the emirates.

Some people and companies do it modestly: a flag mounted on a pick-up or a poster in the rear window. Others go the full monty and spend thousands of Dirhams doing their car up with everything from complete body wraps to posters of Emirs and Crown Princes to really show their love for the ruling royals.

So elaborate are some of these festive decorations that Dubai Police has found it necessary to issue a Decree to ascertain that road safety is not jeopardized too much by the bling.

Congratulations UAE on this 42nd anniversary of the union - and have fun with the celebrations. Just be careful, please.

Signs in the UAE - Part 2

For years, I have had it as a hobby to collect photos of funny and/or strange signs whenever I came across one. Dubai and the rest of the UAE is one of the easiest places I have been to spot them. The multi-ethnicity and cosmopolitan nature of the city and its inhabitants from literally all corners of the world makes it difficult not to loose things in translation from time to time when trying to convey an otherwise appropriate warning or message in English.

Here are some examples from different parts of Dubai and a couple from Sharjah too:

No public, straight parking.

Tecom Area.

Sharks not allowed either.

Dubai Metro.

Nudes only.

Union Coop Hypermarket, Al Barsha Mall.

No flashy cameras.

DWTC.

Meet the birds up for sale

Sign on Al Rashadiya Road.

4991.5 graduates later...

Exiting Dubai Emirate on Sheikh Zayed Road.

All you need for furnishing the tent of your nomadic bride.

Al Khan area, Sharjah.

Poor lift!

Sharjah Aquarium.

Frisking coming your way.

Near Jebel Ali Club.

The company returns in 3 days.

Al Noor Tower 2, Tecom.

"Waste" clothing charity collection bin.

Discovery Gardens.

You can see more strange and funny signs from around the UAE in my previous post:

Signs in the UAE

Miss Camel 2013

A dusty track in the remote western region of the United Arab Emirates, on the verge of what is known as “The Empty Quarter” of the country is one of the last places you'd expect to find a beauty competition.

But the leggy, doe-eyed lovelies on parade here are of the four-legged variety.

The Al Dhafra Camel Festival held every year is a celebration of the ancient bond between humans and the "ships of the desert," which have traditionally provided Bedouins with food, clothing and transportation.

The highlight of the event, which draws more than 1,500 camel owners and 25,000 camels from all over the Arabian Peninsula to Al Dhafra, about 150km west of Abu Dhabi, is the Camel Beauty Contest.

The judges in this high-stakes contest rate the animals - the females of which are considered better looking - on criteria including firmness of ear, straightness of leg and the size of their toe cleft.

“The big size of the bones, the big foot, the height of the camel, the neck," explains one of the judges, listing the most desirable attributes.

"The smoother the neck the better, the longer the neck the better."

It's a job he takes seriously, as the spoils of victory can be significant.

The festival is an important auction market for purebred camels, and as well as commanding high prices, award-winning specimens can confer immense prestige on their owners it’s a competition between tribes as well. Everybody wants the prettiest camel to be owned by their tribe – preferably by themselves.

According to the rules laid down in the festival program, owners are required to swear religious oaths that the stated age and lineage of their animals is correct.

As well as the beauty contest and auctions, the festival also has contests in traditional pursuits such as camel racing, camel milking, falconry and date packaging. There is also racing of purebred Arabian salukis, the slender sight-hound that is one of the world's most ancient breeds of domesticated dog, as well as handicrafts displays.

While the SUV has replaced the camel as a means of transportation in the modern Emirates, it's clear the animal retains an important place in the nation's heart.

In a country about which it is often said that it went from riding camels to driving Cadillacs in 25 years, the younger generation seems aware of the importance of preserving the culture of their forefathers where camels were equal to wealth and status.

May the most beautiful camel win.

Meanwhile in Dubai

Meanwhile in Dubai...

Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia

Speaking of women not being allowed to drive a car...

No woman, no drive!

Last weekend, there was a civil disobedience manifestation in Saudi Arabia over the completely ridiculous ban on women driving a vehicle. Reportedly, some women across the kingdom defied the government and went behind the wheel of a car despite sinister warnings of dire consequences to any woman violating the ban having been issued in advance by the authorities. I came across this brave Arab guy who has taken a classic Bob Marley song and given it a twist to suit the occasion with a little help from his friends.
I just had to post it here.

How not to leave Dubai broke

It's not rocket science. It's common sense, really: If you earn Dh20,000 per month and have no money left in your account by month end, you are likely to retire from the UAE no better off than a tea boy.

Yet this is the sad truth for thousands of expats who come here with dreams of making big money, only to end up broke with hardly any savings to write home about, after years spent on living the high life or lured by shopping festivals and discount offers. Those who succumb to the temptation to upgrade — to a nicer car, a bigger villa, the latest gadgets — are in effect trading their present for a bad future. They are de facto loosing out on their once in a lifetime opportunity of building up their life savings whilst being tax-free.
Take the case of Richard, a European working in Dubai for seven years. The 42-year-old has no children, but has racked up a combined debt of Dh210,000 on five credit cards, and has a Dh90,000 car loan. His rent, food and bills take up most of his Dh26,000 pay cheque, with nothing left at the end of the month.

Dev, 40, a divorced airline executive, gets free accommodation and does not have a lavish lifestyle. But family commitments prevent him from saving anything.
He earns well, has no debt, but also has no savings — not even an emergency fund.
When you come and live and work in Dubai, the attraction of tax-free earnings would suggest that the majority of people would build up decent savings to help them in their future.

But the rapidly increasing fixed costs of living eat into monthly salaries. Large shopping malls and the ‘eating out’ culture — to name just two of Dubai’s attractions — take away whatever is left.
The temptation to upgrade to a bigger apartment/villa, a nicer car — and the high cost of schooling for children — is also a constant challenge for expatriate families.
So how does one get out of the rut? Probably the best piece of advice you can get is to take a step back: Accept that your time in Dubai with tax-free savings may be limited.
Maximise your time here by listing your financial priorities. Most debt-laden expatriates have also had to part with their end-of-service (ESB) or "gratuity" benefits, which banks collect at the first sign that a person has lost his job.

In 2010, UAE authorities and the International Labour Organisation discussed establishing a pension fund for expatriate workers to guarantee they receive their ESB.
In March 2012, a senior official of the Department of Economic Development in Dubai (DED) said they have completed a feasibility study for an expat pension fund, which was to be launched by end-2012 after clearance from relevant authorities. How ever unlikely it may seem, if pushed through, Dubai could become the first Gulf state to launch a pension fund for expatriates.
UAE lawyer Mohammad Al Suwaidi thinks that a pension fund is a step in the right direction. “It’s a good idea, but it needs sound regulations from the start.”
Al Suwaidi said, however, that clubbing an employees pension fund with their ESB may be problematic, since by the definition an ESB - as per the very unique and tricky UAE Labour Law - is only due when an employee’s service comes to an end after a minimum period of service and grows over time as an employee’s salary rises.

Other experts also feel a pension fund would help protect expats in their old age.
Most expats are capable of saving at least 10 per cent of their salary, but they are reluctant to alter their lifestyle. There is a vast amount of expats who spend a lot, get into debt and leave broke. This applies especialy to younger Western expats and people earning less than, say, Dh8,000 per month who are struggling to survive, especially when they send money home for families.
UAE-based Americans and citizens of EU-countries do save and invest at least four times the equivalent of their counterparts back home.
An example is Andrew, a 55-year-old from Manchester, who moved to Dubai in 2006 with his wife. The parents of two started to save $500/£350 (Dh1,836) per month, and then grew it periodically. In recent years, the wife has paid all of her salary into their investment plan to prepare for retirement. Their joint investments now exceed $300,000/£200,000, with three or four more years of saving before going home.

Another British expatriate Robert, 56, a managing director of a consultancy agency, blames the weather and the many “distractions”. For much of the year it’s too hot to do anything else — either you stay at home or you can go to the mall. If you go to the mall, you don’t just go there to walk, you’re tempted to spend and buy things. Expats also face the situation of paying everything in advance — rent, school, etc.
Many expats come from countries where there are no school fees. Not many people have the luxury of their company paying for these expenses so they end up borrowing money to pay for these things. People come here and they do not realise that you need to pay for a lot of things in advance.

Another major culprit, as countless expats will have experienced, is the relatively easy access to credit cards.There’s no central database in monitoring the bank customers’ personal borrowings. This allows expats the opportunity to borrow too much money and too easily.

DO’S and DON’TS

Pay yourself first. Include savings in your budget. Investing in National Bonds is a good start (it prevents you from buying things you don’t need, like more expensive cars or accommodation).
Think of it as rescuing the old man/woman (you in future) from the follies of the young man/woman, (you today).
Saving between 10-20 per cent of your pay is a good guide.
Have emergency funds – between two to three month’s salary — in a deposit account
Diversify. Do not to put your ‘eggs in one basket’. Hierarchy of diversification: a) Cash in the bank is secure and accessible; 2) owning a property, which generally increases in value; 3) combine other assets classes such as stocks and managed fund, as these offer good long-term growth potential

Live for today, but also plan for tomorrow. Life is about balance. Enjoy your time in Dubai, but work on personal financial plan
Balance your own interests against your family’s demands/needs. Due to cultural traditions among Asians, many send home a fair percentage of their salaries, which can sometimes be a drain and pressure on those people living here
Don’t buy a new car on mortgage, especially if your existing one still works fine

WHY IS INSURANCE IMPORTANT?
Basically, being in the UAE, you're on your own. No one is going to save you if your should be suffer a serious illness or be involved in an accident that incapacitates you. Taking outa proper insurance is a must - moreso here than in most places. You're an expat and your home country may not be inclined to help you if need be.

There are many types of insurance, but basic protection should cover income (or loss of it), health, life and investments. Buy insurance that works for you
Some insurance packages also offer investment-like features, allowing you to gain from market growth while protecting yourself and loved ones

USE CURRENCY HEDGING?
Hedging is a way to guard against foreign exchange fluctuations. If you invest in a fund and the growth is good over a 12-month period but the currency moves against your base currency, then this growth could be wiped out.
In Dubai, where the majority of people are paid in dirhams (fixed against the US dollar), a practical approach is to use dollar as the currency to start your savings. Then you could switch to your base currency in the future when the currency exchange rate is to their advantage, said Ormond

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR SAVINGS
- a few tips:
• Consider saving as a mandatory expense
• Open a savings account that’s harder to get to than your checking account
• Systematically (monthly) save to that isolated account on a regular basis
• Pair your raises with increase in savings
• Set milestones with rewards
• Write down expenses in three to six-month goals
• See where your money is going (A daily coffee may cost you only Dh12, but if you add that up over a one-year period, this could set you off Dh5,400)
Before buying electronics, jewellery or fashion items on impulse, wait 30 days (you might realize you don’t need those things at all. This could save you thousands by the end of the year)

Remember: Saver’s remorse is non-existent. No one complains about having money in the bank. But if you buy that new car, phone or tablet during a promotion, you may regret it soon afterwards.
And you money will be gone.

Walahi habibi, yalla, yallah!

So after a solid break it seems an appropriate time to pick-up blogging again.

Yes, I am still here in Dubai where the sun always shines, soldiering on in the City of Life. The above constituting approximately half of my Arabic vocabulary meaning Something like “Right, Darling, let’s go, come on”. So I will make an effort to get on with it, see if once again I can make blog become a kind of diary, a way to sort-out my thoughts and get my writing skills brushed-off. It’s so easy not to use them properly on an everyday basis in this country. There are so many other things to do, loads of distractions and hundreds of procrastinations that at times seem to lure me into neglecting writing. Distractions, like the idiot on the street outside the barrier to our covered parking area beeping away to make the security guard come out and open it. Too lazy to get out of his car and walk into reception to get the guard’s attention. Instead he is using the horn, which must be annoying everybody in the nearby buildings. But this is normal here. It’s all about me-me-me – the rest of the lot can go elf themselves. I want what I want and I want it now! It pisses me off all the time, but what to do about it, yani? It is definitely part of culture here. Even the taxi drivers are constantly beeping away when they pass you on the street to make you aware of their presence convinced that a middle-aged European male walking the limited pavements slash sand pits in Tecom must be in desperate need for a lift. “Hunk if you’re horny, habibi!” Not!

We have moved to Tecom, a very nice area near The Greens and opposite Internet City and Knowledge Village with one of the true landmarks of Dubai, the Al Kazim twin towers just across Sheikh Zayed Road, build to resemble the Crysler Building in New York City (only there are two of them). Location-wise it is perfect; everywhere we would want to go can be easily reached by car or even Metro. Tecom is really an up-and-coming neighbourhood in what is normally referred to as “New Dubai”. The whole area is but a few years old. We have lived in our beloved apartment for over a year now. It is a well-maintained building, a good landlord and a fair deal regarding rent. They even lowered the rent slightly at renewal even though rents in our area seem to have stabilised following the last two-years of decreasing rents in the wake of the credit crunch. We have a great two-bed apartment with a nice balcony. Needless to say there is a pool and sunbathing area on the rooftop and two gyms (gents' and ladies’) with all sorts of torture equipment in the building, full-time janitors keeping everything immaculately clean – and offering their services washing the residents’ cars 12 times a month for 100 Dirhams. 24hr security. And a covered parking space per flat downstairs where the above-mentioned idiot has just been let in after a good few minutes’ worth of being horny.

Still, it really is a good life here in Tecom, in our little apartment in the city where the sun always shines. City of Life.

Ramadan Kareem

It is that time of the year again where some of our normal actions, our behaviour and working hours are in practise dictated by the moon. It’s: Ramadan-time again.

Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new moon crescent and it ends with the sighting of the next new moon which marks the beginning of Eid. Here in the UAE it is the Moon Sighting Committee that will announce when Ramadan starts.

The holy month of Ramadan – the ninth month in the Islamic year – has quite a big impact on the things you are allowed to do here in Dubai and in the UAE in general and when you are allowed to do them. For expats, the major things and issues to be aware of during Ramadan are the following:

1. No intake of food and drinks in public from sunrise through sunset.

2. No smoking in public either.

3. Bars will not open til 7.30pm

4. No public entertainment or (loud) music (keep you car radio down a bit).

5. After Iftar – the prayer at sunset – you can assume your normal way of life and eat, drink and smoke in public until sunrise.

During Ramadan, the faithful Muslim will abstain from food from sun up to sundown, but at dusk the family will gather for fast-breaking, known as Iftar. The sundown meal starts with the ritual eating of a date — just as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was believed to have done. Then it's time for a prayer to thank Allah followed by the meal. In many homes, this is a simple meal of fruits and vegetables along with traditional Middle Eastern fare.

Over time, Iftar has grown into banquets and small festivals. This is a time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities, but may also occupy larger spaces at mosques or banquet halls, where a hundred or more may gather at a time.

Some markets and smaller shops close down during evening prayers and the Iftar meal, but then re-open and stay open for a good part of the night. Muslims can be seen shopping, eating, spending time with their friends and family during the evening hours. In many mid-east countries, this can last late into the evening, to early morning. However, if they try to attend to business as usual, it can become a time of personal trials, fasting without coffee or water.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating or drinking starting from dawn till dusk. To prepare for the fasting, Muslims wake up before dawn and the fajr prayer to eat a meal (Sahoor). Muslims break their fast at Maghrib (at sunset) prayer time with a meal called Iftar. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after the sun has set until the next morning's fajr prayer call. Ramadan is a time of reflecting , believing and worshiping God. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual activities during fasting hours are also forbidden. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised awareness of closeness to God.

The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity (Zakat).

Muslims should start observing the fasting ritual upon reaching the age of puberty, so long as they are healthy, sane and have no disabilities or illnesses. The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. People who are travelling long distances do not have to fast. Also exempt are pregnant women, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Lastly, those traveling are exempt, but must make up the days they miss.

The elderly or those who suffer from a disability or disease and have no prospect of getting better in the future can pay the cost of Iftar for a person who cannot afford it, or else they can host such a person in their house and have him eat with them after sunset as a way of repaying for the days they could not fast.

Ramadan is also a time when Muslims are supposed to take a step back from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment; this is to establish a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involving the preparing of special foods and inviting people for Iftar.

The holiday of Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, after another new moon has been sighted. The Eid falls after 29 or 30 days of fasting, per the lunar sighting. Eid ul-Fitr means the Festival of Breaking the Fast; a special celebration is made. Food is donated to the poor everyone puts on their best, usually new, clothes; and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends.

To non-Muslim exparts, it may all sound a bit dull. Fortunately, non-Muslims are not required to fast which obviously makes things easier. Business life is affected quite a lot. The UAE Labour Law requires companies to reduce working hours by two on working days for all employees. Many companies, however, do not adhere to this rule and will only reduce working time for those fasting. However, all public and government offices will be observing the reduced hours making it more difficult to have documents processed. Also, business in general slows down significantly with fewer client visits and meetings and no major decisions seem to be made during the month of Ramadan. In addition, many expats actually leave the country for holidays during Ramadan.

The shopping malls are strangely silent with all the coffee shops, fast-food outlets and restaurants shut and no music being played anywhere – or at least kept at very low volume.

Most companies will provide a separate dining room for the non-muslims where they can eat their lunch, and possibly even a smoking room, so life here for expats is not really affected that much.

With the UAE authorities usual pragmatic approach to life’s issues, the non-Muslim part of the population can still pretty much carry on with their lives and it will still be possible to eat, drink and smoke during the day, as long as you don’t do it in the face of a fastening Muslim. Doing so is considered a criminal offence and during the past three years, 24 people were arrested for breaking the fast in public in the Emirate of Dubai. The punishment imposed on the sinners is usually a month in jail and/or a 2.000 Dirham fine. Better to avoid offending those fastening and stay safe, unless your car has got a really good layer of tint. Don’t do it – wait till you are safe home behind your shut blinds or drawn curtains. Then you can do pretty much whatever you want.

Just before 7.30pm you will find many expats queuing up outside bars and pubs waiting to get a drink. Alcohol is still available in Dubai during Ramadan and the bars do open (and are usually pretty crowded), howver there will be no live music and if music is played, it will be very quiet. This also goes for Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. However, in Abu Dhabi bars will be closed during Ramadan. In Sharjah, there are no bars at all.

Ramadan Kareem means “Ramadan the generous” and refers to all the good fasting and the spiritual insights supposedly brings the faithful. It is a phrase which is used widely in public ads and as a greeting during Ramadan. Well, Ramadan Kareem and happy fasting. Another 25 days to go before Eid and a few public holidays.

- with input from wikipedia.org

Signs in the UAE

One of the most interesting things about life in the UAE is the cosmopolitan nature of the country. The population of almost 6 million people is roughly made up from 80% expats and 20% Emiratis. There are people living here for shorter or longer time from more countries and territories than there are members of the United Nations.

It is like a global village and over time you will meet and interact with people from all over the world. The official language of the UAE is obviously Arabic, but English is the language most commonly used in business and when out in public. Since only the minority of people here are actually native English speakers, sometimes things go horribly wrong when it comes to communication. Certain ethnic groups tend to have their own special variety of “English” using phrases and terms taken directly from their own language and translated to English where it is then used to bend the language in ways which the Queen would never use. There are loads of examples of “Jinglish” as the native English speakers call it. On many occasions this improper use of English can be hilarious, especially when “Jinglish” is applied to signs displayed in public. On other signs it is the spelling, grammar or punctuation which is not quite spot-on and makes things go wrong. Even the sign itself and its layout might cause problems understanding it properly.

Although many signs serve a serious purpose offering sound advice or warnings, sometimes the message does not really come through or it gets completely lost in translation.
Below are a few examples of some of the signs I have come across here in the UAE. It is very easy to find some funny examples when driving or walking around the city and it can become a great sport to be sign-spotting once you get the feel for it. Enjoy.