We’ve got all sorts in Dubai, and as bad as it is to stereotype, a good portion of the population seem to fall into rather defined categories.
So, whether you live in Dubai (you will no doubt recognise many of these) or are planning to move or are just intrigued as to who lives here (not all of our readers are UAE-based), we’ve picked some of the most common characters.
From your classic event-goer to the eager millennials, here are 10 types of people you meet in Dubai.
THE SOCIALITE
They’re at every invite-only event and you’re still not quite sure what they do. Are they a blogger? Are they friends with the host? Do they even have a day job? How do they afford to be out all the time? How do they have the stamina?
THE BRUNCH PRINCESS
There’s no use asking them where they’re going to be on Friday. The answer’s going to be Mina A’Salam, or some similar brunch. Where are they getting all this money from? We’d much rather spend our weekends resting or at the beach.
THE ACTIVE ONE
Where are they finding the time to do all this? According to their Facebook, Insta and Snapchat feeds, it seems they’re perpetually being towed behind a boat, up a mountain somewhere, or cycling around the desert – all before lunch on a Friday.
THE BOY RACER
You know the ones. Snapback-wearing, fast car-driving… perpetually wearing singlets. You’ll have either been cut off by them on Beach Road or flashed out of the fast lane on Sheikh Zayed at some point. They wear their list of speeding tickets like an accolade, and have fleshed out Instagram accounts with nothing but keys and cars… many sports cars.
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THE NEW EXPAT
They’re easy to spot. They’re sweaty, they panic at pedestrian crossings and seem constantly bamboozled. They’re still trying to work their way through all the tourist attractions and are still too shy to ask their local minimart to deliver.
THE ZEN CROWD
Breathe in… breathe out. They’re not going to let city life get to them. They’ve nailed their clean-eating diet, meditate on the daily, and attend bi-weekly yoga sessions.
THE HIGH FASHION
Their soles are red (Louboutins, darling) and hair beautifully coiffed. They’re not hot, they’re ‘haute’. High tea is must, cocktail dresses are de rigueur to the office, private pools and flashy cars are a regular part of their day to day life.
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THE NEW MONEY
Is that Bentley his? Or his dad’s? How in the world is she sporting a Dhs250,000 handbag? Are they younger than me? That’s upsetting. I could barely afford groceries this month.
THE MILLENIAL
Yeah, we get it. Pokémon GO was cool. Brunch is rad. They’ll tell you about how their Instagram is ‘on fleek’ and how ‘the struggle is real’. Don’t worry, they’re soon to turn around one day and realise they’re 30 plus and still spouting the same ‘follow your dreams’ quotes.
THE BLOGGER
They haven’t even broken 10 thousand followers and yet they get to head to all these free events. Their 300 word-a-day blog seems to get them any all-access pass, sponsorship deals and you’re left wondering whether you should set up one of your own.
Images: Giphy and Getty
