5 questions Dubai newcomers must never ask

Dubai - The trick is to, actually, act like a local to be treated like one

Relocating to Dubai can be blissful and stressful at the same time. The city, magnet as it is for talent, attracts tourists and jobseekers in droves on a daily basis.
As newcomers, Dubai expats with less information commit many mistakes that may make their experience less, well, Dubai-like.
The trick is to, actually, act like a local to be treated like one. Here we look at the 5 wrong questions that new Dubai expats ask.
1: What? Rs100,000 rent PER MONTH?
The moment a job offer lands on one's email, the first thing that every jobseeker who's looking to work in Dubai does is to convert the salary into the currency of their home country. Not such a good idea. Because you will not be spending your dirhams in your home city - you will be renting, eating, living in Dubai. So better check the cost of living in Dubai to get a clearer picture on how far your dirhams will take you here.
As the expat begins to settle in Dubai, mental conversion of dirhams occurs at every occasion - be it while doing groceries or shopping for big brands. Many times, it is this conversion that helps the new Dubai expat to decide on whether to make a purchase or not. Again, you're not buying the things in your home currency, so no point in doing math that isn't going to help your decision-making.
2: They changed the visa rules, again?
It is not uncommon for new Dubai expats to get anxious and worried about visa. Being new to Dubai, s/he seems to be bombarded with misinformation about visas from people around.
This often confuses the expat who aims at settling peacefully in Dubai. To avoid any confusion, new expats must directly contact the concerned authorities and get the correct, updated information on visas.
3: Can this agent get me a job with Emirates?
In a quest to get a job in Dubai, many jobseekers fall into the trap of fake job agents in their home countries. They end up paying huge amounts of money, promising lucrative jobs. Getting impressive phone calls from such agents is not uncommon. Verifying the authenticity of the recruitment agencies and agents is very important.
4: How many sweaters should I pack?
Allured by the flashy lifestyle and tax-free salaries, new Dubai expats often overlook the impact of Dubai weather. The harsh, dry and hot weather of Dubai comes as a shock to many when stepping out without an AC car becomes impossible. Being a desert, the weather remains mostly dry, with hardly any rainfall through the year. Being prepared to deal with 50 degree Celsius is very important for anyone relocating to this part of the world.
5: Are the brands unbelievably cheap?
Dubai is a shopper's heaven. The moment you land in a lavish mall, it is hard to keep your money in the wallet. Newcomers to Dubai often fall prey to unnecessary shopping, which finally digs a hole in their pocket. Relocating requires a lot of expenditure, and spending on unnecessary shopping can create financial issues.

• Dubai