Let's raise a glass

It was on a longer road trip that we were able to get an insight into the Omani’s way of life, which is very different from the urban Emiratis’. En route to Muscat we had lunch at a pretty colonial style hotel. The place was empty except for six locals, in national dress, drinking beer at the bar. What’s strange about that? you ask, until you remember that the Gulf is effectively dry to Muslims. I met a lovely Omani lady through the course of my work, and she explained to me that alcohol wasn’t such a taboo for Muslims in Oman. Their culture is more liberal, less judgmental. Or it could have been that this hotel wasn’t in a busy city so a blind eye was turned? Everyone has a different opinion and it can be a touchy subject. I’m quite partial about a glass of wine, and would not judge other drinkers. For me religion plays not part in and individual’s grape or grain decision, although I believe for some people alcohol is religion in itself. I would not necessarily assume that a Muslim who takes the decision to have a drink is a bad Muslim, but you are judged differently by your peers.

It’s funny how you make snap judgments based on nationality, especially when you live in a cultural melting pot like Dubai. When you first move here you think everyone is racist, but you quickly come to realise that while stereotyping people can be dangerous, it can also be a shortcut to understanding how the place ticks.

I think you can even judge someone’s nationality from the car they drive. I’ll leave you with some examples:

·       Toyota Prado – expat family (Western)

·       Mitsubishi Pajero – expat family (Indian). By the way, if you’re not of a sensitive disposition, look up the meaning of Pajero in the Spanish dictionary. What were the marketing department thinking of?!)

·       Jaguar – older British expat

·       Maserati - Emirati

·       Bentley – Emirati

·       Any supercar - Emirati

·       Mercedes G-wagon AMG – Sheikh

---