I don't wish to offend anyone but .... [I don't like Qantas using Dubai]

[Mal]

It's perspective. She fears that an Arab will just kidnap her. Reality is the crime rings in Eastern Europe will smuggle girls just about anywhere as you suggest. Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Albania are target countries in Europe, especially in their regional areas, where she is from. There is a strong consciousness of the problem, being a potential target of slavery, a lot more so than here in the West.

Her issue. Seriously. If someone has a flying fear, then they face similar issues.

 

[Deleted member]

Traveling to Europe from Perth, I liked the stopover in Singapore. I like Singapore it's clean, safe I know my way around. Now QF has jumped in bed with Emirates and I understand why but I have to go via Dubai. I don't want to go to Dubai. I am not a racist or a bigot but I don't like a lot about the Arab world, their laws, their religion or their culture. The Odyssey by our Mods might shed some more light on the situation, but from what I read, I just don't like it.

United Arab Emirates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I can only assume you are quite young, otherwise you would remember that Singapore once upon a time had similar restrictive laws about dress, hair length and social behaviour. It is a big part of what makes it a safe and clean country today.
I do however agree that for a woman in an Islamic state there is more to be aware of that might give offence.
However it is mostly a matter of doing some basic research, and adapting to the conditions.
I have been with mrs GPH a couple of times and we have never felt uncomfortable.
Not sure I would be as relaxed in Pakistan right now though. So I get your concerns.

 

[Pushka]

I can understand why women travelling on their own may worry about travelling to UAE. I happily took my mother to Singapore and Hong Kong but I wouldn't be happy about taking her to Dubai. I think I'd be OK travelling on my own to Dubai but would dress differently. I think I'd have to be a little more demure. . I tend to smile as I walk and find that random strangers tend to smile at me so I can only think I must have this silly grin on my face or "my slip is showing'. I think it is more about a feeling of safety rather than the reality.

 

[medhead]

I think the right answer is avoid.

But at the same time the wrong answer is to criticise someone because they decide to avoid. They do not necessarily need to accept.

Yes I know that may sound complex but it is tied into your previous post.

I don't think the criticism is because they choose the avoid. But that is basically a personal decision.

 

[cgichard]

I've transited through Dubai once and found much to dislike: very hot, very noisy and very crowded, many people sleeping on the floor and their baggage blocking space between seating etc. - and not because of widespread airline delays on that particular day. As I tend to do when in crowded airports (having no lounge access), I sought refuge in the women's prayer room, but in Dubai, unlike other airports, even that room was noisy, and seemed to be being used as an informal creche with women coming and going all the time, taking turns to 'mind' a bunch of noisy and fretful children, including changing their nappies. Presumably there was no other more suitable facility available for women only.

 

[MTAB]

I’ve transitted Dubai about forty times and visited it about four. Whilst Dubai is not one of my favourite places to visit, I have never once found the airport overcrowded. Sure it is a big airport and can get busy, but it is as good as most in the world.

I may have been lucky or it may be that things have deteriorated in the last two years (my last transit) but I found the terminals themselves to be as clean and less crowded than, for example, the business lounges at Brisbane, Sydney, etc.

In terms of travel in the Middle East I have never been uncomfortable in places such as UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. My mother, wife and female relatives have traveled there on their own with no problems.

You will find the great majority of Arabs are friendly and have a rich culture and history. There is also great diversity and nuances of difference. I’d advise the OP to try it with an open mind but be as careful when visiting as you would when going to downtown Sydney or the outback. :idea:

 

[Keelan]

I hadn't really thought about this issue until reading an article re: traveler beware Dubai laws and customs. The thing that shocked me was that homosexuality is illegal - and my initial reaction was a bit shocked - as in qantas was placing some of their travellers and many of their staff in possible danger. I am sure, however, that Singapore would have once had the same law (maybe still do) and I know that it is possible to route a trip using a different airline to avoid Dubai, however, that does not absolve qantas of issues around commercial decisions they make. And in addition, questioning elements of any race or culture does not a racist make - if culture and society is sacrosanct and immune from questioning how will society continue to evolve and improve?

 

[TheInsider]

I hadn't really thought about this issue until reading an article re: traveler beware Dubai laws and customs. The thing that shocked me was that homosexuality is illegal - and my initial reaction was a bit shocked - as in qantas was placing some of their travellers and many of their staff in possible danger.

You do know that Emirates and Etihad have cabin crew that work for them and are based in the UAE?

 

[fersea]

I think there a couple of things to note here. Firstly, many travellers are only going to transit through Dubai. A major airport is a major airport, some of the amenities may be different but I would imagine their are lounges, western style toilets, tvs with english language programs, western food etc. There will also be other options but you don't have to partake.

Secondly, they are not stupid. Do you really think Dubai would become the world city it has become if every second blonde woman got raped and assaulted, or if non-married couples were jailed for booking a hotel room together?

You may have to adjust your public behaviour for a day or two whilst you are there but you might also have a great time.

I am flying through Dubai in a couple of months and would love to be staying a day or two.

 

[fersea]

You do know that Emirates and Etihad have cabin crew that work for them and are based in the UAE?

There is of course a difference between being a homosexual and performing homosexual acts. One stays with the person (24/7) the other is when they choose to participate. If all you are doing is transiting I doubt many heterosexual couples get a chance to get it on either.

 

[Mal]

You do know that Emirates and Etihad have cabin crew that work for them and are based in the UAE?

Pam Ann (Bless her soul!) recently performed in Dubai. Looking at the photos from the nightclub she performed in, I agree .... What stays behind closed doors stays there, UNLESS of course you annoy various people etc....

 

[QF029]

I think the right answer is avoid.

But at the same time the wrong answer is to criticise someone because they decide to avoid. They do not necessarily need to accept.

Yes I know that may sound complex but it is tied into your previous post.

The OP opened her(?)self open to comment when she started the thread.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Homosexuality is illegal in many asian countries INCLUDING Singapore

 

[Homer]

My grandmother is racist. Her excuse is that she grew up during the war. She's never been to Europe as she will only fly QF but doesn't (didn't) like the fact that they stopped in either HKG or SIN. I've always found her views unbelievable. I wonder whether she'll take a trip now that she can transit in DXB. Somehow, I doubt it.

 

[under the radar]

it's all about cultural awareness/acceptance, perception of 'safety' and appropriate behavior, WHEREVER you choose to travel to/thru....or maybe NOT choose to travel to/thru!!....THIS EVEN APPLIES WITHIN AUSTRALIA!!! ... during my many years as an F/A, I was always bewildered by the 'disappointment' of some travelers' comments that 'IT'S NOT LIKE HOME!!!' ....(under my breath..i would be saying.."why the coughk did you bother to travel outside your home??") :shock: THE HUMAN RACE IS FULL OF HYPOCRACIES you might not 'like' what other people do/cultures are/countries laws are.....you just gotta be flexible in YOUR attitude/behavior if you end up 'outside your comfort zone'..(i'm speaking from experience )

 

[Jurahn]

I've transited through Dubai once and found much to dislike: very hot, very noisy and very crowded, many people sleeping on the floor and their baggage blocking space between seating etc. - and not because of widespread airline delays on that particular day. As I tend to do when in crowded airports (having no lounge access), I sought refuge in the women's prayer room, but in Dubai, unlike other airports, even that room was noisy, and seemed to be being used as an informal creche with women coming and going all the time, taking turns to 'mind' a bunch of noisy and fretful children, including changing their nappies. Presumably there was no other more suitable facility available for women only.

We took our first trip to Europe several years ago, flying Emirates, and I have to admit, I found a lot to dislike about Dubai as well. We stopped over for 2 nights on the way there, as it was our first long haul flight and we wanted to break up the trip. Whilst the hotel was excellent, and the staff were very good, it was a different story when we were out and about - I made sure I was "covered up" and even made the point of walking behind my husband (he usually lets me walk in front) if going through a narrow gap on the footpath etc, but I felt extremely uncomfortable the whole time - from the looks I received from men on the street, taxi drivers constantly watching me in the rear-vision mirror etc it was as if, as a woman, they thought I shouldn't be out in public at all and I was made to feel quite "unwelcome". We transited through Dubai on the way home and also found the airport to be extremely crowded and noisy, people sleeping on the floor, bags everywhere, practically every seat in the place was taken, and there was real tendency for people to jostle and almost push you out of the way when trying to walk through the crowds. Neither of us would be keen to go via Dubai again, and I would certainly not travel through there on my own (and I should mention, I'm no spring chicken either!).

Like the OP, we both love Singapore and now always use it as our transit point when visiting Europe.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Before reading this thread, the title of it reads to me like people who say "i'm not a racist, but..."

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Some people should just never leave their suburb.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Some people should just never leave their suburb.

Exactly, you might come across something you don't agree with or challenges your perceptions and ultimately makes your brain hurt.

 

[dcm]

My first flights to Europe included stopovers in Singapore and Bahrain as this was the common Qantas routing before a single stopover was possible. I enjoy Singapore but am looking forward to new experiences in Dubai. Sure there are cultural differences but the opportunity to explore differences might remove some prejudices that arise through ignorance. It's not that long ago that homosexual activity was made legal in Tasmania!