Off to Dubai

[FF1078]

I know some of you work/live in UAE and I was wondering what to expect weather wise. I'm going at the end of this month with work, I've been before for work but that was November time and weather was perfect. I know it going to be hot but is it unbearable? My wife is coming with me this time too so she'll be lazing around the pool but is it too hot to sun bath? I've also heard that ladies have to cover up quite a lot, ar shorts ok or not?

Thanks in advance

 

[Wattie]

Summer in the Middle East is generally unbearable......I always found the humidity to be the main issue rather than the 40-45+temps . You’ll be drenched whilst clothed which means you’ll wanna remain mainly indoors....or in the pool...not really out of it.....too sweaty!
Sensible dress sense for women is advised......shorts/ short skirts are not really recommended. You only need to fall foul of someone and it can all get very tetchy.
Dubai’s interesting for a short stay -good food, great malls, fab hotels (Atlantis is worth a look around or indeed a drink at the burj)
Enjoy.
Cheers Wattie

 

[Contigo]

You cannot go outside for periods longer than say 10 minutes. I've been loads in July and August and just forget it. Best time of year is late October and November when all the outside bars thrive as none open in this heat.

 

[Doohickey]

Agree with the above. My girlfriend worked in Saudi for 16 years and she says it's pretty much impossible to go outside at this time of year. She would walk maybe 5 mins from the car to the office and have to change clothes. Looks like it's air conditioned bars then.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Blistering. The upside is that hotels are quite cheap, the downside is that you won't want to step outside.

 

[Contigo]

Worst I experienced was 52 deg c in Kuwait a few years back. We had to walk 5 minutes from customer site to a hotel for some lunch, my word we nearly died, I've never experienced a heat attack before but it was really panicking. Got there soaked in sweat and needing a lie down. Ordered a cab to take us the 1 minute ride back after lunch.

 

[leeq61]

I currently work in Dubai, have done for the past 2 years. This time of year is usually a NO GO outside during the day time as its far too hot. I mainly go outside during the day to move between office buildings. Sunbathing should be ok for short periods, if your wife can take the heat, last week it was on average 38 degrees. With regards to shorts, I've seen plenty of western ladies in shorts, as long as they're not too short and shoulders etc are covered thats been ok.

Lee

 

[FF1078]

Thanks all.
Great looks like I'll be mafting while working as it's in a shed in the desert, no air con at all.

 

[Contigo]

Thanks all.
Great looks like I'll be mafting while working as it's in a shed in the desert, no air con at all.

That's not possible or acceptable to work in. Trust me!

 

[2b1ask1]

I haven't been out there for two years now, last time I was out there we arranged to work at night on Jumeirah Beach and it still nearly killed me! There is an outdoor gym on the public promenade/beachfront and another in the Ladies Club which is under a sail shade and even that tortures me just thinking about it. Just a few minutes working out there and you are fried, taking on fluids doesn't keep up with it leaking out of you (especially if like me you are on the larger side of fat!).

Don't go unless you really have to is my 2p worth...

 

[Felonious Crud]

Yes, agreed with Newton and Phil. This time of year if you're outside at all it's for no longer than it takes to walk from the hotel / office to a waiting car. As for being in a shed with no air-con... well, it was nice knowing you on here!

 

[mjheathcote]

Thanks all.
Great looks like I'll be mafting while working as it's in a shed in the desert, no air con at all.

Reading all the replies, sounds like it will be ****!
I assume you will be paid very well, for the 'pleasure'!

 

[cheshiremaserati]

Really recommend that you don't go at this time. On a general note avoid Ramadan (bars/restaurants shut all day) - but Ramadan has gone this year. The next window after Ramadan is the second Eid (the sacrifice Eid) which will be around 20 August this year. Its a Festive time but you *may* witness a goat being slaughtered by its throat being cut without being stunned - unlikely in Dubai but still possible in some people's homes. Certainly happens in Cairo with street slaughter -including Camel or Bull. Not a pleasant sight.

 

[mjheathcote]

Really recommend that you don't go at this time. On a general note avoid Ramadan (bars/restaurants shut all day) - but Ramadan has gone this year. The next window after Ramadan is the second Eid (the sacrifice Eid) which will be around 20 August this year. Its a Festive time but you *may* witness a goat being slaughtered by its throat being cut without being stunned - unlikely in Dubai but still possible in some people's homes. Certainly happens in Cairo with street slaughter -including Camel or Bull. Not a pleasant sight.

A work colleague when visiting some middle eastern state for business stumbled across a public 'stoning'.
When the crowd noticed a couple of Europeans, they where immediately pushed to the front for a better view.
Apparently these days when someone is now 'stoned', the said person is pushed into a bit of a ditch, and a tipper lorry full of boulders empties its load onto the top of the poor sole beneath.
Whether this witness account is accurate, I don't know and don't really want to know.

 

[Wanderer]

A work colleague when visiting some middle eastern state for business stumbled across a public 'stoning'.
When the crowd noticed a couple of Europeans, they where immediately pushed to the front for a better view.
Apparently these days when someone is now 'stoned', the said person is pushed into a bit of a ditch, and a tipper lorry full of boulders empties its load onto the top of the poor sole beneath.
Whether this witness account is accurate, I don't know and don't really want to know.

Well he did say ‘Jehovah’....

 

[cheshiremaserati]

interesting but consider witnessing a beheading in Saudi and the slaughterman picks up the decapitated head by the hair and raises it above his own head offering it to a frenzied crowd!

 

[Wanderer]

The Earl of Essex had a thousand Sovereigns
Hey, noni, no
He gave them away to the man with axe, o....

 

[Wattie]

Thanks all.
Great looks like I'll be mafting while working as it's in a shed in the desert, no air con at all.

This is more commonly known as an oven.
Cheers Wattie

 

[CatmanV2]

Well he did say ‘Jehovah’....

Are there any women here?

C

 

[FF1078]

I've worked in said shed before but it was November time and I didn't struggle at all then, I know the temp will be quite a lot more but I have to go in July/August.