49 random amusing facts about Dubai and the UAE

In addition to the obvious reasons, here are 49 more amusing and interesting facts why the country is well-loved by locals and expats alike.

1. Everything is the best, tallest, largest. As of November 2020, the UAE is holding 425 Guinness world records – that’s 425 superlatives.
   
2. Expats outnumber locals. Emiratis make up only 11.48% of the population. The top expat populations are Indian, Pakistani, Filipino.
   
3. Districts and zones are named as “city of things,” I mean, Internet City, Media City, Studio City, Knowledge Village
   
4. When giving directions, Google map isn’t enough. “front-side, back-side” is a thing.
   Building names and street names aren’t popularly used
   
5. Google maps keep changing every month. There’s always something new. That’s why road detours and constructions are common
   
6. Police use Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maserati, and other fancy cars for patrol cars.
   
7. Small groceries can deliver even your one-dirham onion order.
   
8. There are more nationalities here than in the UN.
   
9. If you miss an exit on the highway, you might end up in Abu Dhabi.
   
10. No security guards in malls and many public places. Though recently, they were assigned on entrances to check body temperature.
    
11. Police have no guns (well, at least not on display). Cameras and radar are already very helpful to them.
    
12. You can leave your car unlocked, and you’ll still find it there.
    
13. Mohammed is every boy’s name.
    
14. There are indoor rainforest, indoor scuba diving and indoor ski – because it’s hot out there for most of the year.
    
15. Rain can be scheduled because of cloudseeding. You literally can wish for rain.
    
16. Rain (I mean, drizzle) always becomes a trending topic on social media. Average rainfall each year is only between 5-10 times.
    
17. You can get discounts on traffic fines on special occasions like Eid or UAE National Day.
    
18. We celebrate Christmas, Diwali and Ramadan freely. Respect and tolerance is encouraged by the leadership.
    
19. You visit the doctor and you walk out with a bag of meds. Because you have a good health insurance.
    
20. The royalties are active on Instagram and Twitter – talk about real influence.
    
21. All places are airconditioned – even the bus stops.
    
22. Multicultural workplace – There’s always a cultural walkthrough on every lunch break.
    
23. Public transport is run by the government. Making it seamless and orderly.
    
24. Original shawarma doesn’t have onions, contrary to what other countries do.
    
25. No income tax – You still receive your whole salary. In 2018, VAT is introduced though for commodities.
    
26. Flowers blossom instantly on the roadside. Due to the weather, these beautiful road-side ornaments are already blooming when planted – and their colors change every season.
    
27. The speed of construction is like no other. Don’t ever dare compare to how it is in your home countries.
    
28. You can get discounts from pharmacies. You just have to ask for it.
    
29. Pork is available for non-Muslims. There are groceries with “sections for non-Muslims.” There are restaurants ‘licensed’ to sell pork dishes as well.
    
30. You cannot just do charity or fundraising activities on your own. It must be regulated by authorities to avoid the bogus ones.
    
31. People shifting houses is common.
    
32. People barter things in exchange for grocery items.
    
33. You cannot wash your car on the streets; Or pay AED 500 – 100 fine for ‘dirtying’ the streets.
    
34. No stray dogs, only stray cats.
    
35. No carnapping – you can leave your cars unlocked. No one dares to take it, else get imprisoned or deported.
    
36. Crimes get solved fast and they’re documented in a cinematic video. There’s a near-zero crime rate in the country as well.
    
37. You don’t need to learn to speak or read Arabic, though it’s always great to learn the basics.
    
38. You don’t need to speak straight English. People won’t mock you for not being able to speak 100% fluent English – as long as you can communicate your message even in contexts.
    
39. Fitness challenges are taken seriously. The crown prince spearheads a very active Dubai Fitness Challenge which really encourages the residents to get up on their feet and be active.
    
40. Streetfoods are indoors
    
41. Some small shops and businesses work 12 hours a day with a 4-hour afternoon break to take a nap – A tradition that’s still practiced by many.
    
42. Man-made islands and lakes are aplenty.
    
43. Pets have microchips. They also need to have passports.
    
44. The fruits and vegetable section in the supermarket is a United Nations department
    I mean, banana from the Philippines, mango from Pakistan, oranges from Jordan, eggplant from Oman, and so on.
    
45. Camel milk (and ice cream) and camel burger is a thing.
    
46. Using that f-word on WhatsApp, Twitter and other social media can land you in jail
    Up to a year in prison + AED10,000 for swearing.
    
47. People honk on the roads for chai (tea). They will get out of their way for that 1-dirham cup of tea even if they cause a traffic jam.
    
48. People with disabilities are called, “People of Determination,” and almost all events and activities are inclusive for them.
    
49. National Day is a big day. It is celebrated full of national pride.

For sure there are more interesting facts about this country we love. I’ll just keep it to 49 for now to honor the UAE in its National Day!

Photo from Unsplash