Just moved to Dubai? Here’s why everyone knows — 10 classic mistakes
Avoid these classic blunders new Dubai residents often make
In my first few months in the UAE, I made a tactical error. I airily said that I was leaving for an afternoon walk.
Yes, seasoned UAE residents, you know what that means.
Afternoon walks in April.
And I did. A sandstorm started and considering that I was still new to the city and my phone was dead (yes, well done me), I had to take refuge in another apartment lobby till the sandstorm subsided and I could return home.
Well, I haven’t made that mistake since. So, next time, you hear someone new say they’re going for a walk at 3 pm, just because it feels nice indoors — please, tell them to sit down politely.
Here are more telltale signs someone’s just arrived:
They think ‘Friday brunch’ means a quick bite
Oh, sweet summer child. Friday brunch here is a marathon, a feast, a social event — not a sandwich on the go. They might need a nap halfway through.
They call every mall ‘the big one’
Dubai has many giant malls, but new residents tend to refer to every single one as the mall. “Are you going to the big mall?” “Which one?” “The big one…”
They ask where the real desert is
When they hear “Dubai is in the desert,” they picture endless dunes. But seeing skyscrapers and malls first, they’re confused.
They still wait for the ‘cool’ part of summer to kick in
You will hear things like, “It’s just the peak right now — August should be better, right?” Oh no, newbie. That 'better' is still 40°C… in the shade.
They ask if it ever rains here
You can always tell who’s new when they ask this with genuine curiosity and then experience their first 9-minute winter downpour like it’s a ceremonial event.
They dress for the forecast, not the reality
The forecast says 38°C, but the feels like is 49°C with humidity that can melt mascara. You learn this lesson once, and then never again.
They’re surprised people go camping — in the desert
Tents? In the sand? On purpose? Wait till they experience BBQs under the stars and sleeping bags. And there's glamping too, so take your pick.
Both are thrilling experiences, I can tell you that.
They’re still shocked by indoor waterfalls in malls
“I just came for groceries — why is there an aquarium and a dinosaur skeleton next to the salad bar?”
The excitement about Burj Khalifa
They stop mid-conversation, mid-crosswalk, or mid-bite just to snap yet another photo of the Burj Khalifa. Bonus points if they say, “It’s even taller in person!” Don’t worry — we all did it once (okay, maybe for a month).
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