The Dubai Debt Trap • Hacker News Board

Re: The Dubai Debt Trap

#11

Post by zivkovicp » Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 1:24 PM UTC

I can't say I'm surprised, but I can't help but feel he would have been much better off if he wasn't so rich. I wouldn't be surprised if they kept him locked up for life to ensure there is no possibility for anyone to contest the property seizures.

Corruption at its finest.

Re: The Dubai Debt Trap

#12

Post by anonexpat » Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 1:25 PM UTC

throw3838 wrote: post #6

Quoted post unavailable.

As someone whose father withheld child support payments to turn the screws on my mother, I disagree.

Re: The Dubai Debt Trap

#13

Post by ur-whale » Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 1:26 PM UTC

https://archive.is/GKvGU

Re: The Dubai Debt Trap

#14

Post by smcl » Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 1:28 PM UTC

retube wrote: post #5

All I ever hear is horror stories about this place: environmental destruction, structural racism, serious abuse of human rights, culturally hyper conservative, corrupt legal system, plus it's absurdly hot. I can't believe anyone would voluntarily go there, seems like hell on earth.

If you're a middle class European working in oil and you're a bit naive and insulated from that sort of news and current events then it's easy to miss. Dubai marketed itself well enough that many people just see one side of things, so they might believe it's a wealthy, paradise of capitalism where there are some poor foreign labourers but they don't fully appreciate the scale of the abuse.

A few of my school friends moved out there (and Abu Dhabi), they see it as a sort of dream land where they can live a luxurious life they believe they thoroughly deserve and earned. They're a mixture of disbelieving there's some gross stuff going on and dismissive of its severity. An argument I've seen by one was that there are no countries that can escape criticism, which is true in a way but it just feels a bit more cruel and deliberate in the Gulf.

So that explains a little bit of the indifference to the defacto slavery, however these sort of stories where the person suffering is white may give them pause for thought...

Re: The Dubai Debt Trap

#15

Post by draugadrotten » Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 1:28 PM UTC

baybal2 wrote: post #10

ProTip: Never ever open a credit card in the UAE, or just never deal with anybody on credit here. Cash, cash, cash only.

ProTip: "Cornelius undoubtedly committed fraud", according to the article. Never commit fraud in the UAE.

Re: The Dubai Debt Trap

#16

Post by brk » Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 1:28 PM UTC

retube wrote: post #5

All I ever hear is horror stories about this place: environmental destruction, structural racism, serious abuse of human rights, culturally hyper conservative, corrupt legal system, plus it's absurdly hot. I can't believe anyone would voluntarily go there, seems like hell on earth.

I've been to Dubai, and other parts of the UAE, a few times. It can be enjoyable for short durations, but I am not sure I'd want to live there long term.

I am not saying the things you mentioned do not happen, but they're not as overly apparent as they are in some other parts of the Middle East, or China.

The heat though, yeah, that's a thing. When you have air conditioned bus stops, it's a different level.

Re: The Dubai Debt Trap

#17

Post by thematrixturtle » Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 1:30 PM UTC

retube wrote: post #5

All I ever hear is horror stories about this place: environmental destruction, structural racism, serious abuse of human rights, culturally hyper conservative, corrupt legal system, plus it's absurdly hot. I can't believe anyone would voluntarily go there, seems like hell on earth.

Saudi Arabia is considerably worse on every aspect, it just gets even less press.

Re: The Dubai Debt Trap

#18

Post by morelisp » Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 1:31 PM UTC

brk wrote: post #16

retube wrote: post #5

All I ever hear is horror stories about this place: environmental destruction, structural racism, serious abuse of human rights, culturally hyper conservative, corrupt legal system, plus it's absurdly hot. I can't believe anyone would voluntarily go there, seems like hell on earth.

I've been to Dubai, and other parts of the UAE, a few times. It can be enjoyable for short durations, but I am not sure I'd want to live there long term. I am not saying the things you mentioned do not happen, but they're not as overly apparent as they are in some other parts of the Middle East, or China. The heat though, yeah, that's a thing. When you have air conditioned bus stops, it's a different level.

Of course it’s enjoyable for brief tourist/business visits, you’ve got literal slaves attending to you.

Re: The Dubai Debt Trap

#19

Post by MattRix » Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 1:33 PM UTC

throw3838 wrote: post #6

Quoted post unavailable.

Not seeing how that is similar at all.

Re: The Dubai Debt Trap

#20

Post by baybal2 » Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 1:36 PM UTC

thematrixturtle wrote: post #17

retube wrote: post #5

All I ever hear is horror stories about this place: environmental destruction, structural racism, serious abuse of human rights, culturally hyper conservative, corrupt legal system, plus it's absurdly hot. I can't believe anyone would voluntarily go there, seems like hell on earth.

Saudi Arabia is considerably worse on every aspect, it just gets even less press.

Totally correct. It's a North Korea with oil, and welfare programs, and, now, rave parties*

* https://youtu.be/8PBz9yaPksM