| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Sour Grape
Joined: 10 May 2005
Posts: 241
|
 Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 5:19 am Post subject: Few questions about Dubai |
 |
|
Hi,
I'm moving from Japan to the UAE soon, and I have a few questions.
How does one get a licence to buy alcohol in Dubai? I know anyone can drink in the hotels, but I understand that a licence is required to buy it for home consumption.
Will I have to take a driving test there? Or will my UK licence be enough?
What is the best way to address an Arab? I seem to remember reading somewhere that Mr. First Name was quite common - is that right?
Thanks for any help. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 5:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I suggest you do an Internet search on expat blog uae. You'll find various expat blogs with useful info about living in the UAE, and you'll be able to post your own lifestyle questions. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Keskaa
Joined: 14 Feb 2013
Posts: 21
Location: Somewhere in the great wide open
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:44 am Post subject: Re: Few questions about Dubai |
|
|
| Sour Grape wrote: |
I'm moving from Japan to the UAE soon, and I have a few questions.
How does one get a licence to buy alcohol in Dubai? I know anyone can drink in the hotels, but I understand that a licence is required to buy it for home consumption.
I live in Abu Dhabi, so I can only guess at the Dubai rules, but in Abu Dhabi, you can apply online for a liquor license. You have to submit a photo and fill out some personal information after you pay a fee. They then send the completed license to certain stores (like Spinneys--a Western supermarket that can sell alcohol) to be picked up by you at a later date. However, I only have a vague idea since I don't have a liquor license myself. It's easy to find if you do a Google search though.
Will I have to take a driving test there? Or will my UK licence be enough?
In UAE, you can use an international driver's license only until you get your residency visa. Once you get your residency visa, it is illegal to drive on an international license. You can go to the department of licensing in Dubai (there are many, many locations), pay a fee, fill out some documents, and you get your UAE driver's license. HOWEVER, you have to have first applied for your Emirates ID card, which is a whole other can of worms. Advice: Apply for your Emirates ID as soon as possible when you get here, because you'll need it for health insurance, driver's license, and to avoid being fined for not having one.
What is the best way to address an Arab? I seem to remember reading somewhere that Mr. First Name was quite common - is that right?
Yes, it is typical to address an Arab by first name. Mr. Mohamed, Miss Huda, etc.
Thanks for any help. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: Few questions about Dubai |
|
|
| Quote: |
What is the best way to address an Arab? I seem to remember reading somewhere that Mr. First Name was quite common - is that right?
Yes, it is typical to address an Arab by first name. Mr. Mohamed, Miss Huda, etc. |
And find yourself similarly addressed by students, staff, custodial staff, etc. My non-Arab teaching colleagues and I use our first names with each other; however, when in the presence of students, we automatically switch to "Miss...", "Mrs..." or "Teacher..." To students and staff/faculty, our vice dean is "Dr..." with only her first name used. In class, my students can get pretty enthusiastic with their "Teacherrrrr!" when they want me to call on them.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dear Sour Grape,
It's also very possible you will find yourself being addressed as Dr. Sour - I was often called Dr. John in Saudi, which always made me think of "Dr. John, the Night Tripper):
"Beginning in the late 1960s, Rebennack gained fame as a solo artist after adopting the persona of "Dr. John, The Night Tripper". Dr. John's act combined New Orleans-style rhythm and blues with psychedelic rock and elaborate stage shows that bordered on voodoo religious ceremonies, including elaborate costumes and headdress (reflecting and presumably inspired by Screamin' Jay Hawkins's stage act). The name "Dr. John" came from a legendary Louisiana voodoo practitioner of the early 19th century."
Not having a Ph.D., I would tell the students that form of address was not merited. Whereupon they would usually ask "What we call you then, Teacher?"
To which I would respond, "Well, I DO have a Master's degree, so I guess you could call me "Master."
(Many of them got the joke )
Regards,
Master John |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
| You will find personal relationships much less formal than in Japan. In fact being in the Gulf is in some ways more like being in the West than th the East ! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sour Grape
Joined: 10 May 2005
Posts: 241
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks to everyone who replied.
I have visited Dubai once before, and don't remember seeing alcohol in the supermarkets - it was in very subtle, easy-to-miss shops - so looks like procedure is a bit different from Emirate to Emirate.
Looking forward to it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Geronimo
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 498
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 3:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Do-Buy is a weird place. Like something out of "Blade Runner". |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gulezar
Joined: 19 Jun 2007
Posts: 483
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 5:19 pm Post subject: Buying Booze Around Dubai |
|
|
| I don't want to suggest anyt | |
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
