25 Dubai proverbs

We've scratched our heads, asked our friends, and scratched our heads some more, to come up with these… 17 Comments

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1 Beware the man who uses indicators, for he is new to Dubai’s roads.

2 Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring a cardie to the mall.

3 There’s always room for another shawarma.

4 Never wear pale blue or beige on a hot day when you’re set to have a meeting.

5 Cleanliness of a taxi is inversely proportionate to the amount of time you have to spent in it.

6 It’s not officially summer until the first Modhesh is spotted.

7 Mundane events become news once a ribbon is cut.

8 Dessert at brunch goes in a different stomach.

9 You have no control over traffic, only over your tolerance levels.

10 Lie to me once – shame on you. Lie to me twice – never reading that paper again.

11 Red sky at night – shepherd’s delight. Red sky in the morning – Atlantis on fire.

12 The rain in Dubai falls mainly when relatives are visiting.

13 If you can afford to get tipsy, you can afford to tip taxi drivers.

14 Pedestrian crossings are dares, not suggestions.

15 If there’s no honk after five seconds at a green light the driver behind you has died.

16 Happy Hour isn’t quite so happy once you’ve made the currency conversion.

17 Hummous past its sell-by date can always make a good polyfiller substitute.

18 It never rains but it bores.

19 Dirhams will never truly stop feeling like Monopoly money.

20 Keep your eyes open, your mouth closed and your fingers on Facebook.

21 A fool and his money are soon parted. Some of the fools in Dubai have so much they barely notice.

22 Beware Fridays at the mall.

23 A cab at the door is worth two booked on the phone.

24 All that glitters is actually Swarovski.

25 Take care when confronted with green liquid in a glass – there will no doubt be consequences.

By Becky Lucas
Time Out Dubai, 8 June 2009

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Posted by: Marinell on 16 Jul ' 09 at 13:46

They are really funny and true. make more of these
to add some -
26. parking comes free for some time and then get charged after. Watch out for the Metro Rail
27. Going to the mall is the same as dressing up for interviews.
28. Beware of buying those on the mannequines. There may or may not be a dresscode enforced.
29. Lost kids are paged every hour in malls
30. The louder the bossier

Posted by: Candice on 12 Jul ' 09 at 20:21

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA! You guys are awsome! My sarcastic Australian humour thrives on jokes like this, i have a sore tummy now!

Posted by: Tushit on 12 Jul ' 09 at 20:15

Great List! True talent at work!

Posted by: Lavs on 15 Jun ' 09 at 11:33

15. Five seconds, are you kidding??? There are signals in Dubai that don’t last that long!
And people in Dubai don’t stop at signals, they camp there – and eat, drink, phone, sms, make-up, sleep,… someone has to wake them up! (I admit, I’m the one who honks :-)).
Great list, made me laugh out loud!

Posted by: Pradeep on 11 Jun ' 09 at 10:15

I been living here since past 7 years and I do use indicators to change lanes etc.. does that make me new to Dubai.. lol ;-)

Posted by: Marlon on 11 Jun ' 09 at 07:48

this list is really hilarious. kudos to the people to have thought of it!

Posted by: Nigel Moore on 11 Jun ' 09 at 05:36

10. (edit) Lie to me once – shame on you. Lie to me twice – now you're getting the hang of it!
26. You can get it done for less in Satwa.
27. When the giant car behind you flashes, move over - he's in a hurry to get to the mall.

Posted by: Karen Doiron on 10 Jun ' 09 at 20:42

I chucked throught he whole list but the one about the horns at traffic lights really struck a cord. Do they train for that???

Posted by: Hilal Onat on 10 Jun ' 09 at 19:24

two times i visited Dubai it rained...call your visiters often to have more rain:)))

Posted by: Alvin on 10 Jun ' 09 at 12:36

I think the honk comes exactly at 1.8 seconds :-)

Posted by: Mark on 10 Jun ' 09 at 08:59

I agree with Max... I never stop thrilling at the clairvoyance of my fellow motorists and their uncanny ability to "do the needful" at the precise moment of light change.

Posted by: shoshlina on 10 Jun ' 09 at 07:23

hi i,m lina liveing in dubai around 12 yaer i,like everething about dubai

Posted by: Jules on 10 Jun ' 09 at 06:44

Hilarious. Thanks for the hearty laugh. Think this should be made into a poster.

Posted by: paulmcneill on 10 Jun ' 09 at 05:56

26: Don't believe a word people say, there's always a catch....
27: If your happy in Dubai, your rich..
28: Is it rent, or extortion?
29: hypocrisy is every were...
30: If your not a VIP your a nobody..

Posted by: jenny capps on 10 Jun ' 09 at 05:49

These are ALL so true. I got quite a chuckle reading them!! Thanks to whoever came up with the list.....

Posted by: Deborah on 10 Jun ' 09 at 05:22

Perfect way to start the morning! This is so very funny and so uncannily apt!!

Posted by: Max on 08 Jun ' 09 at 17:48

15. It can't be 5 seconds, thats impossible in Dubai, it should be less, I'd say 1 or 2

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