Abu Dhabi Airport

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

I

Also, does anyone know where Africans would fit in this hierachy? I'm pretty sure it's low, just not sure how low.


lot of east africans and west africans - someplace below lebanese but above philiphinos, I'd say. there seem to be a lot of chinese/east asian hookers walking the streets. those were the only chinese I saw.

 

[merkur]

..

 

[Jupiter]

Originally Posted by JetBlast

Should have flown through Dubai. DXB Airport is impressive.

This is a picture of terminal 1. They just opened the new terminal 3 dedicated to Emirates Airlines. It is nice, but I prefer Heathrow terminal 5 with the exception of the horrific security lines at the transfer section.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by merkur

Where does an ethnic Indian with British citizenship or a Filipino with French citizenship fit in? Are they still classed as British/EU citizens or are they discriminated against purely on the colour of their skin?

they're fucked. think what an educated black from england or france would be like in new york in 1958.

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by merkur

Where does an ethnic Indian with British citizenship or a Filipino with French citizenship fit in? Are they still classed as British/EU citizens or are they discriminated against purely on the colour of their skin?
no one gives a **** where you were born, raised or educated. As far as they're concerned you'll always be another one of their servants. None of that can ever change the color of your skin. In many ways, your race is your destiny there. I have a friend who's Pakistani, and was born and raised in Canada who wanted a job with a major multi-national accounting firm there. A scottish person at this firm offered him the job, but warned him "if an Arab ever wants your job, I'll have to fire you the same day." He didn't take it.

 

[mkarim]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

Locals view foreigners as ****. They view them as servants and slaves flocking to their country to work for them and get a taste of their wealth who should be greatful for even being allowed to work for minimum wage.

Here's what I've been able to gather so far of their social hierarchy (from highest valued people to lowest valued)

--Upper Class---
Emirate Arabs
British
Other EU citizens
---Lower-Middle Class---
Non-Emirate Arabs (e.g. Lebanese)
Former Soviet country citizens (e.g. Uzbek's)
Pakistani People*
---Lower Class---
Indians (South Indians are considered the lowest)
Phillipino's

* I'm told by an Indian who used to live there that Pakistani's are given slightly more status in society for some reason. I told him I never encountered any Pakistani's in my travels, even though I always asked the people at the stores, hotels, taxi drivers, etc. if they were Pakistani. He responded that Indians get those types of jobs, Pakistani's usually get office jobs. Other people have also told me that Pakistani's usually aren't brought in for jobs like manual labour, bellhops, etc because they tend to be more opinionated on how to do everything. They'll do what they're told, but not before arguing, whereas Indians and Phillipinos tend to be more submissive.

Perhaps someone can elaborate, expand, or clarify?

The above is quite true. I used to live in Abu Dhabi in the early 80s when my parents used to work there. Yes, the social hierarchy above is quite accurate. The law also applies to people in that manner. If you get into legal trouble with a local, you are pretty much SOL. They are innocent until proven guilty and you are the opposite.

Yes, Pakistanis are given a slightly higher status because of the friendhip between the 2 countries, similar religion and the fact that Urdu (Paktsian's national language) has Arabic alphabets and many Arabic words.

 

[mkarim]

Originally Posted by merkur

Where does an ethnic Indian with British citizenship or a Filipino with French citizenship fit in? Are they still classed as British/EU citizens or are they discriminated against purely on the colour of their skin?

Their place in the social hierarchy depends on their skin color and skin color only.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by mkarim

Their place in the social hierarchy depends on their skin color and skin color only.

not to mention the size of their nostrils....... (just an old joke from SNL)

basically, it is apperence - not intirely skin shade, because you can have an etheopian or an indian or an american black who may be lighter than an emerati, but a whole package of apperence issues will position them in the status structure.

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

not to mention the size of their nostrils....... (just an old joke from SNL)

basically, it is apperence - not intirely skin shade, because you can have an etheopian or an indian or an american black who may be lighter than an emerati, but a whole package of apperence issues will position them in the status structure.

How do you even get into the UAE, don't you hold an Israeli passport? Since you're of Jewish descent and served in the IDF, how have you been treated there?

 

[flashkobalt]

Well another update on Abu Dhabi International Airport as I return to the land down under...it's still rather crap....

and this time it's a 14 hour stopover....ouch

 

[edinatlanta]

Originally Posted by flashkobalt

Well another update on Abu Dhabi International Airport as I return to the land down under...it's still rather crap....

and this time it's a 14 hour stopover....ouch

I advice to you, get a hotel room so you can leave, shower, etc.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

How do you even get into the UAE, don't you hold an Israeli passport? Since you're of Jewish descent and served in the IDF, how have you been treated there?

I have a US passport, too. and I don't tell anybody about the other stuff. I have had people suggest that I am jewish in a tone that suggests that that isn't something that they like, though

 

[raclotz]

the airport seems ok... looks hell of a shopping complex... nothing to whine about.. it is more than what you can expect in the middle of a desert... hehehe...

 

[Bohdathone]

Originally Posted by flashkobalt

Well another update on Abu Dhabi International Airport as I return to the land down under...it's still rather crap....

and this time it's a 14 hour stopover....ouch

14hrs is a bit much isn't it? Surely there are more frequent flights to Australia than that to be had

 

[Psyren]

Bringing this back up.

I'm currently in Dubai, and being a Africain Americain, I haven't been subjected to any of the discrimination described above. Maybe it's because of my English, or my appearance or maybe it's just that this heiracry isn't in place much these days.

But without a doubt I've seen Philipinos and indians treated like **** around here.