Thoughts

So the culture here is so much different. Its such an interesting change from the United States - it makes me happy that I live in a country where (at least for the most part) rights are granted to everyone free of charge and people can do pretty much whatever they want within reason. Its really interesting/scary here because of a couple reasons:

1.) Women in this culture (actually - I think Dubai probably has a more liberal view on the role of women than most arab/muslim cultures) aren't really expected to interact in a serious setting with the men - this would apply to all traditional muslim women, but not necessarily to the non-muslim women... Its very strange to me. The women are almost treated as lesser or 2nd class beings because of their sex. We had some greeters/hostesses at the doors tonight for the party who would direct guests to the check-in tables for the event. Most of the muslim men would blow right past the women and not even acknowledge them. We even had to make sure that our host, a local celebrity, knew that a woman would be presenting him with the awards to give to the laureates so that he wouldn't be surprised. Very strange indeed.

2.) Gays "don't exist" in this culture. It is forbidden. Its actually quite relaxed as compared to Iran or Saudi Arabia - here you'll only get jail time for engaging in homosexual activities, whereas in those countries you could get the death penalty. Its not that it doesn't exist - its just that it "doesn't exist." No high-ranking person will recognize that it exists. Definitely different than in the US.

3.) Alcohol consumption can only happen in a bar that is connected to a hotel, because these are the only bars that are able to actually get a liquor license. Drinking and driving is COMPLETELY forbidden - if you get caught, even after 1 beer, you're sent to jail with one phone call for 4 months. They don't really have liquor stores, and you have to have an individual liquor license to buy alcohol for individual consumption.

Its not even that its so much "big brother" as it is just a government that doesn't want that stuff to be a part of its culture. Its a very traditional muslim culture and those laws show up in the local norms of society. I wouldn't want to live here permanently. I probably wouldn't even want to come back for at least 20 years or so - just to maybe see what its like in 20 years would be the only reason I'd want to return. Not that its a bad place - I've very much enjoyed my time and experience here and I think I'm a more well-rounded and more educated person because of it, however I don't think I'd be able to enjoy having to go out of my way to get a drink...