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'Anti-social' Christmas behaviour warning for UAE Brits

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Anti-social Christmas behaviour warning for UAE Brits
A screenshot of 'Rupert, the Expat Reindeer' campaign to raise awareness about UAE laws. - Supplied photo

Dubai - UK missions take to social media to advise revellers in festive way.

by

Kelly Clarke
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Published: Wed 16 Dec 2015, 6:46 PM

Last updated: Thu 17 Dec 2015, 9:25 AM

We may be more used to hearing about Rudolph the reindeer's shiny red nose, but this year the British embassies in the UAE have put their own little twist on the age-old classic Christmas song.
In a bid to curb anti-social behaviour during the festive period and increase awareness of the UAE's laws and customs among the British expatriate community, the embassies have taken to Facebook and Twitter to launch a campaign aptly named after the well-known song: "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer".
But instead of Rudolph it's Rupert, and instead of a shiny red nose, it's a sun-burnt one, according to the modern revamp.
Launched on December 15, the embassies' official social networking pages began posting a different kind of festive message, with alcohol licences, drinking in public, and advice on appropriate dress codes taking a front seat.
The first official tweet of the campaign by @UKinUAE, read:

The embassy also produced a recording of a few of its staff singing a piece inspired by the famous Johnny Marks' song.
The lyrics tell the story of some expat reindeers, including Rupert, who learnt the hard way why it is important to familiarise ourselves with local laws and customs when overseas.
From advice on getting a licence so "drinking grape is not a crime" to wearing "less skimpy clothes", Rupert's journey from a "liability" to being well behaved is humourously mapped out in the song.
The twenty-first century initiative is aimed at expat revellers who risk the temptation of getting a little too merry over the festive period.
With the UAE home to more than 120,000 British nationals, and visited by around a further million every year, the UK Ambassador to the UAE, Philip Parham, said the messages are simply a polite warning.
"I am pleased to say that only a very, very small percentage of them need to seek the help of our Consular team. We want everyone to have a trouble-free festive period, so we take the opportunity of this season to raise awareness of UAE laws and customs in a fun way, and at the same time to wish the British community here a Merry Christmas."
Facebook user, Suzane Nunes de Jesus, is a fan of the song, and posted: "Well said! Merry Christmas to you all!"
And for mother-of-one, Rebecca Read, it may teach her teenage daughter a good lesson too. "I think the way they've put it together is very effective. It's humourous which keeps us engaged, even the children. They'll be curious to know more about this new guy Rupert," adding the clip was "not patronising" which is its biggest draw.
The campaign is running on the embassy's Facebook (UKinUAE), Twitter (@UKinUAE), Instagram (BritishEmbassyUAE) and YouTube (UKinUAE) accounts.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

Kelly Clarke

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