Understanding the Emiratis’ world

However, I have not become close friends with any. The truth is they are only 10 per cent of the population. It is hard to meet and socialise with them because they are few in number and most of the Emiratis work for the government. For someone like me working in the private sector I never interact with an Emirati. If more Emiratis worked in the private sector, it would be much easier to cultivate friendships.

The other issue is the wide discrepancy in incomes between the highest and lowest paid in this country and the lack of interaction. It’s impossible for a labourer to afford to go for dinner in Dubai Marina or any other place where many Emiratis meet on a weekend. This is not a criticism of Emiratis, but an acknowledgement of the situation of Emiratis’ lives and those of expats, that makes interaction very difficult to develop friendships.