One of the most common complaints among expats here is that they feel detached from the local culture. They don’t have any Emirati mates, hang out in exclusively expat bars and restaurants, or feel like they haven’t learnt as much as they’d like to about the everyday lives of UAE nationals. So since Ramadan is meant to be a time for communities to come together, TOAD has decided to stop moaning and do something about it.
We’ve asked locals to let us in on city secrets, tell us where they hang out, bust myths about their lifestyles and recommend places where people of all backgrounds can meet and mingle. You might be surprised at what they had to say…
Sumayyah Al Sawaidi
Artist, curator at Ghaf Gallery, fashion designer and Grafika boutique managing director.
What would you say the biggest misconception is about Emiratis?
Every Emirati is rich!
What does being Emirati mean to you?
It means pride, hospitality and generosity.
If you had to describe Abu Dhabi in one sentence, what would it be?
You can never feel like a stranger in Abu Dhabi.
What’s your favourite place in the city and why?
My favourite place would be the Al Raha beach area, I have recently moved right opposite Al Raha beach and it’s just quiet and relaxing, and everything I need is next to me.
Do you socialise much with expats? If so, where?
Yes I do, at art galleries during my exhibitions.
What would you recommend expats do who would like to meet UAE nationals?
Well, I’d suggest they attend events where many UAE nationals attend, such as the Ramadan Exhibition at Adnec, also festivals such as the date festival in Liwa. On the other hand, they can also try art galleries, because nowadays there are many Emiratis attending art exhibitions.
Tell us a secret about Abu Dhabi that only a local would know…
If you would like delicious Emirati food then go to Al Mina Restaurant at Al Mina Port.
Khalid Bin Moussa
Graduate, and football enthusiast.
What would you say the biggest misconception is about Emiratis?
That we’re unfriendly, or that we hate expats. It’s not true, and in my experience it’s the expats that tend to be unfriendly.
What does being Emirati mean to you?
It’s no secret that our national identity is a big deal to us. In this age, being an Emirati means holding on to our national identity, while still making room for all the people that help us build our beautiful country.
If you had to describe Abu Dhabi in one sentence, what would it be?
An oasis of modern life in an otherwise bare land.
What’s your favourite place in the city and why?
Spéciale (a series of cafés around the Hilton). It’s very cosy, and yes it’s full of smoke but that’s fine with me; I contribute to a lot of that smoke. They serve a great shisha, and it’s one of those places where you’ll find plenty of people our age (30s) as well as a few expats that aren’t afraid to mingle with us. They’re usually Arab expats, but still.
Do you socialise much with expats? If so, where and when?
I socialise with plenty of Arab expats, as they seem to fit in easier. The fact that they’re aware of our customs and values helps a lot. I don’t socialise much with European expats, although I have a few acquaintances. I just always get the feeling that they keep trying to understand us, rather than actually understand us.
What would you recommend expats do who would like to meet UAE nationals?
Acceptance is the key thing here. I accept that Westerners are different, but they need to accept that they’re living in a different country. I know expats create little bubbles where they live life the way they’re used to it, and that’s great, but you need to get out of that bubble to meet us. I don’t think the Emirati lifestyle limits the European lifestyle, except maybe with our intolerance to alcohol, but otherwise we have a lot in common. Who doesn’t like football, good food or Playstation games?
Tell us a secret about Abu Dhabi that only a local would know…
A lot of us still love the desert. My friends and I often head out there, pitch tents and have barbecues at night.
Mohamed Al Obaidli
Graduate, and 2001 UAE sailing champion.
What would you say the biggest misconception is about Emiratis?
I graduated from university overseas, so I was living in dorms with a lot of different nationalities. It’s funny actually, when I tell them I’m from Abu Dhabi some said ‘well, then for sure you’re rich’. And then the second question is ‘so you have an oil well in your back yard?’ It’s not like that you know, people’s perceptions are all different.
What does being Emirati mean to you?
I feel privileged, actually. I’m very proud of my country, I have everything I need – the country provides for its citizens. Education, health. We don’t even have to pay tax.
If you had to describe Abu Dhabi in one sentence, what would it be?
One sentence actually is not enough, there is so much to say. But if you insist, I’d say Abu Dhabi is the perfect place to live. It’s a relaxing city, a quiet city.
What’s your favourite place in the city and why?
I like to hang out in the coffee shops at Souk Qaryat Al Beri. As for outdoors, I like to visit the islands around the city. Abu Dhabi has more than 200 islands. We go for weekend fishing, sailing, jetskiing. It’s very relaxing – you don’t have to go to the Caribbean or Maldives for any of these things. It’s just half an hour away. Saadiyat is the best place, I think. We used to go before the development. It’s still an amazing area, some parts are still quiet and nice.
Do you socialise much with expats? If so, where and when?
I have a lot of foreign friends – American, British, German, a multicultural mix. I used to be a sailor, so I met a lot of people through regattas and races. Even when I worked for the management of Abu Dhabi Marine Club, I would meet a lot of people who wanted to learn about the place. We’d go sail, then go out for a movie, then a head to a restaurant.
What would you recommend expats do who would like to meet UAE nationals?
Whatever you have an interest in, just go somewhere relevant and meet people with the same interests. Emiratis are very friendly, we are known for our hospitality. Or just go to Emirates Palace or Shangri-La – places where there’s a mix of foreign people and locals. Just by talking to people you’d make a lot of friends. If someone spoke to me while I was sitting having a coffee, I’d be happy to talk to them, find out about where they’re from and stuff like that.
Tell us a secret about Abu Dhabi that only a local would know…
When it’s the full moon, it’s the best time to go fishing. Not a lot of people know that. I don’t know the reasons behind it, but whenever you want to get the most fish, the full moon is best. I think the fish rise up a bit or something. Our ancestors told us about this, I’ve tried it, it really works.
Afra Al Marar
Creative Lab Associate at twofour54 and founding member of fundraising group 3ownkom.
What would you say the biggest misconception is about Emiratis?
Expats have the misconception that Emaratis are closed in their society, and in reality they are very open and love to interact and get to know people.
What does being Emirati mean to you?
Being an Emarati means that I am very lucky, and I am representing a country which I love; it gave us a lot. I should always remember our past as Emaratis, know the facts, work hard for the country’s future and give a good impression by the end of the day.
If you had to describe Abu Dhabi in one sentence, what would it be?
I can go on and on about the awesomeness of Abu Dhabi. But you asked me for a sentence, so here it is: Abu Dhabi is so clean and green, lots of beaches and buildings, and the fact that everyone is living peacefully in this multicultural environment is very impressive.
What’s your favourite place in the city and why?
I love Abu Dhabi’s ports and the Corniche. A perfect day out would be to go to the ports, go to pet stores, Iranian rug shops and then go to the small supermarket for a perfect Karak tea. I would then go to one of the big malls in Abu Dhabi for lunch. My last stop would be a night at Abu Dhabi Corniche.
Do you socialize much with expats? If so where, when, and with whom?
I have a German neighbour who comes over for Iftar every day. She became a very close friend of the family and brings apple strudels. I also have teachers from college and colleagues from work who I am in contact with. The females come to visit very often. My father’s colleagues also became really good friends to our family. We see them very often and they celebrate our special events with us.
Tell us a secret about Abu Dhabi that only a local would know…
If you say ‘Mubarak bin London’ (Mubarak son of London) locals will know who he is, if you say Wilfred Thesiger then expats would know, but locals wouldn’t. He is the same person, and that’s one of the secrets of Abu Dhabi.
