Two recent cases involving ex-pats have brought the stark cultural difference between ex-pat workers and local Dubai traditions to a head. The first the now infamous “sex on the beach” saga has been in the news recently because the case has finally come to court and the two offenders Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and Vince Acors, 34, of Bromley, south-east London were found guilty and sentenced to 3 months in prison with a 1000 AED fine, after their sentences they will be deported.

(Picture : Jonathan Pansacola)

There has been much furore about both these situations with so called experts clambering to explain their take on the why and how of the whole ex-pat Dubai relationship.

For me it comes down to a difference in cultures and values and thus this means where in Dubai acts such as having sex on the beach are seen as a no no, in the UK maybe they aren’t seen in such a bad light. Some may say this is a bold statement , however on the same day that the sex on the beach case came to court, newspapers in the UK were full of how plans were being considered to turn a blind eye to dogging (will explain later what this is) and to sexual acts which occur in male public toilets.

For those of you from Dubai with an innocent mind you may think dogging is something to do with man and his best friend, unfortunately not. Dogging is the act of having sex in public in the “hope” that people will come and watch you. As for the male toilets issue I won’t explain further, but just say George Micheal Central Park a few years ago.

This is the crux of the matter the countries from where the ex-pats come do not see as wrong things such as having sex on the beach or mocking God in everyday conversation. It is a part of the culture to talk about sexual conquests of the weekend with your work colleagues at work, even about your sex life at home with your current partner. In Dubai and in Muslim culture the relationship between a Husband and Wife are seen as a very private affair and not generally discussed for mere titillation, God is seen as something you do not joke about as religion is not a joking matter. However in places like the UK and US God is seen as a Joke period for many and therefore it is common place to hear jokes and negative comments about God in everyday life, even in adverts and on the TV.

So is this a matter of a few ex-pats forgetting where they were and therefore slipping up? Unfortunately I don’t this is a case of a simple slip up but an outcome of Dubai being Dubai. Ex-pats are generally given free licence to do whatever they want, as long as it is in the Hotel bars etc, there is never any cultural education as to Muslims hold certain values. Furthermore many of the rich kids around Dubai , act like want to be ex-pats engaging in the same activities as them all of which contradict their culture, sadly they think success is being out of your head on some beach copulating with a someone you just met because it’s what all the cool kids do.

As has been said many times before on these pages, if Dubai continues to prostitute itself to the highest bidder then things like this will become more and more common place. Yes let well educated westerners into the country , Yes let them work for your companies , Yes let them live it up in nice Villas , but No don’t let them think there are no rules as long as they don’t get caught breaking them.

As for mocking God , sometimes I think the whole of Dubai is one big act of mocking God surely letting what goes on in front of your noses happen is mocking God is it not?

Related posts:

1. Beach sex sentence ‘may increase’
2. Duabi Sex-on-beach trial Britons found guilty
3. Jail time dropped in Dubai beach sex trial
4. They think it’s all over, but is it really?
5. ‘Sex on the beach’ couple spared jail in Dubai