I Lived In Dubai For 40 Years! Here Are 33 Things I Wish Someone Told Me! Video 8663

Lifestyle + Moving-to-Dubai Warnings (from ~40 years “real hardcore experience”)

These are presented as broad, experience-based cautions. Treat any “guarantees” or hype as high-risk, and verify details through reliable sources.

Don’t trust Dubai marketing hype

• Flashy imagery (gold-plated cars, diamond-encrusted items, “Las Vegas”-style glam, bikini nightlife) is often aimed at the well-connected and wealthy.
• “Hidden layers” exist; getting on the wrong side of issues can lead to serious trouble.
• Even “crypto promises” and property investment claims (e.g., “#1 crypto city,” futuristic guarantees, unlimited timelines) are framed as hype—and Dubai laws can change quickly.

Avoid credit cards

• Even if offered “free,” “with points,” or as a gift, return it.
• Beware hidden charges/fees; one missed step can cost thousands.
• Prefer a debit card with limited funds.
• If money is stolen/scammed, reimbursement is expected to be weak—once it’s gone, it’s gone, and you may be blamed.

Don’t take long-term loans

• If you lose your job, you may be unable to exit the country.
• Unpaid bills/charges (electricity, water, phone, government-related fees, bank charges) can lead to arrest at the airport.
• Terminations (e.g., during COVID) can happen suddenly; restrictions may be placed quickly via banking/HR processes.

Avoid investing heavily in the UAE if you’re not a citizen

• The repeated emphasis: “It is not your country.”
• Allegedly, high-net-worth individuals avoided investing millions after advice.
• If circumstances change, fine print can change, leaving non-citizens exposed.

Don’t fall for sales and impulse buying

• Big advertised discounts may not be what they seem.
• Skip sales where items are “offloaded,” not original, or marked down beyond reasonable logic.

Don’t get too comfortable

• Overconfidence about staying permanently can be dangerous.
• Warning theme: powerful people can influence bans/visa outcomes, and even long-term residents can face immigration scrutiny at re-entry.

Be careful with “friends” and networking

• Friendship is described as transactional: people stay close when you have money/job/connections, then distance themselves when you don’t.
• Core advice: don’t expect loyalty when your value drops.

Don’t lend money

• Borrowers may never repay; even legal outcomes may not recover money.
• Extra rule: don’t accept checks / PDCs (post-dated checks)—bad debt risk and scams can ruin you.

Don’t do favors expecting repayment

• Helping relatives can backfire once they gain what they want (education/citizenship/status), leaving you at their mercy socially or practically.

Don’t seek too much fame or “high-profile” visibility

• Jealousy/scrutiny is said to exist; the more visible you are, the more risk from observers/enemies.
• Social media is described as often fake (“fake it till you make it”).

Keep workplace information private

• Office colleagues are portrayed as competitors; don’t reveal important details/trade secrets.
• Your boss (and HR/visa decisions) is depicted as holding major power.

Avoid relationships with overly powerful people

• Not framed as romantic specifically—any close involvement with power can backfire badly.

Don’t post real opinions online

• Your digital footprint can be misused; controversial criticism is described as high-risk.
• The speaker warns against criticizing:
  • Islam
  • the ruling family
  • and other politically sensitive subjects/groups mentioned in the clip.

If an offer seems too good to be true, treat it as a scam

• Applies to romance, jobs, laptops/products at extreme discounts, and “guaranteed income.”
• Example: a job offer reportedly 5–6x pay later included restrictive clauses (e.g., can’t resign without reimbursement, non-competitive clauses, potential bans, extreme scheduling/remote offshore conditions).

Hard work alone may not be enough

• Outcomes may depend on “who you know” and contacts.
• The speaker mentions succeeding with visa-related issues by understanding systems/loopholes.

Be cautious about marriage in UAE

• Main concern: lifestyle expectations and legal/financial complications if you get divorced.
• Advice: don’t marry someone in UAE if you can’t sustain the “high-life” expectations.

UAE shouldn’t be assumed your permanent home

• Warning: if you lose money/job/status, you may be expelled.
• Analogy: temporary consumption/attention—once you’re broke, you’re no longer valued.

Don’t fight/argue with Emiratis

• Even if you are “right,” the speaker warns you may lose due to who they know and their power.

Avoid relationships with someone Muslim/Arab if you’re not

• Unless you’re “filthy rich” and heavily connected, the speaker warns about cultural/religious hold.

Know each emirate has different rules

• Dubai vs Abu Dhabi vs Sharjah vs other emirates are said to have different enforcement styles/laws.
• Don’t assume what’s allowed in one emirate is allowed elsewhere.

Don’t get overly close with Emiratis

• Even if kind/hospitable, being too close may become problematic.

Obey driving laws: don’t drink and drive

• Severe fines, jail, and life-destroying accidents are referenced.

Don’t do anything illegal

• Especially for drugs smuggling/banned groups—claims include extreme sentencing and minimal fairness.
• Also alleged: powerful individuals can suppress outcomes.

Take legal documentation seriously

• No-objection-type permissions (job changes, leaving the country/holiday, police record issues) should not be treated lightly.

Prioritize health—medical costs are high

• Diabetes, blood pressure, and heart/cholesterol issues are described as common and capable of derailing life plans.
• Avoid neglect caused by fast living, stress, and long work hours.

Don’t start a business expecting wonders

• Business is framed as high-risk and can become a “liability/curse,” including getting stuck in UAE if it fails.
• Examples mentioned: partner betrayal and sudden environmental/market shocks.

Don’t get addicted to the “Dubai life”

• The excitement (malls, movies, girls, restaurants, fun) can become addictive—yet leaving can become impossible or undesirable later.

Hidden disadvantages exist, especially racism

• Corporate racism and unfair treatment are described as widespread.
• Alleged unofficial hierarchies based on skin color/passport, with leverage decreasing as employers become more powerful.

---

Notable Locations / Terms / People Mentioned

• Dubai (main focus)
• Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah
• Palm Jumeirah (example related to offshore work)
• Citibank (City Bank) (mentioned in the context of credit-card experience)
• Social-media/celebrity imagery examples including Salman Khan
• COVID (termination/work risk example)