Conversation between me and a typical Dubai Aunty (socialite) on a coffee morning:
Aunty: So how are you? Aren’t you glad the schools have opened? Sooo difficult to entertain the children. I had them bundled off to summer camp. Sooo convenient!
Me: But don’t you think the children also deserve a break and it’s good to spend that time with family?
Aunty: Yes, yes I did all that bonding shonding in Switzerland. We were there for a month. Sooo beautiful and the weather was just heavenly. I didn’t want to come back. But you know it gets so expensive with the maid and all..
Me: So your maid went with you?
Aunty: Of course darrrling! Who will look after the kids otherwise?
Me: Uhh right…
Aunty: Yes it was magical. And then we had our anniversary there as well. And Ahmed got me the most gorrrgeous gift (flashing the biggest diamond solitaire in my face)
Me: I see well…umm.. congratulations (feeling a bit sick)
Aunty: But then you know when we came back we had suchhh a difficult time. The maid got sick, and we didn’t know what to do. Sooo difficult.
Me: Uh huh..
Aunty: But now the children are at school and I can meet with all of you darrrlings..
Me: (feeling sicker and wondering what on earth I’m doing there)
Aunty: So tell me what is the latest..
Me: (thinking finally the conversation is going to take a different turn..)
Aunty: …I’ve heard there’s a sale to die for in Harvey Nichols. I’ve seen the most gorrrgeous Gucci bag and I’ve been dropping hints to Ahmed. You see my birthday is coming up.
Me: (aaaah!!) Um.. I don’t know, I’ve been busy preparing for my book reading…
Aunty: Oh so sweet!! What’s that? (looking bewildered)
Me: I’ve written these books for children and..
Aunty: Oh my children don’t like to read books. Ahmed has bought them an iPad each and they are sooo good at playing games on them. Even I don’t know how to do it.
Me: Yeah.. great.. well I have to go now.. (leaves with a throbbing headache)
This post has been written in response to the Daily Prompt: Snark Bombs Away!
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I live in Switzerland, but it seems I married the wrong Mr. Swiss – no diamond rings here. I love reading your news from Dubai, so something completely different.
Thank you so much! I love your writing!
It’s fashionable to spend the summer in Europe, Switzerland being a favorite spot. But really it’s a beautiful place, I spent a weekend there with a Swiss family many years ago and saw the spring festival in Lucerne and took a train ride to Jungfraujoch.
Thanks for the follow! I’m honored!
Pingback: Daily Prompt: Snark Bombs, Away! | Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss
Erg… I’ve been reading since I could hold a book. More likely than not I would have done something very similar in the situation.
At any rate, nice read!
Thanks glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Best wishes, Zainab
Having lived in Abu Dhabi, I can attest to the fact that this conversation is right on the mark!
Haha thanks! How long did you live there? It’s my fourth year now in Dubai. Best wishes, Zainab
Zainab,
I lived and taught high school in Al Ruwais, Abu Dhabi for only 5 months. It is an experience I will not soon forget. Although I had signed a two year contract, I was forced to leave the country under less than favorable conditions.
I lived approximately 100 miles from the Saudia Arabian border and I was steeped in a culture that was nothing like modern Dubai or even Abu Dhabi. There was nothing, even remotely modern about my 5 month stay (I even wore an abaya to school). In the short time I lived in Al Ruwais, I managed to shake hands with a man, laugh out loud in the company of men, and fall in love with my Arabic tutor. Only too late, I found out that although not against the law, certainly against traditions, and those are even harder to fight against.
Should you be interested, I have written several posts detailing my stay, especially in regard to the girls I taught and the women I worked with. I assure you that you will not believe I lived in the same country as you. I look forward to reading more of your posts as my heart does skip a beat whenever I hear tell of the Middle East.
As an aside, Zainab was the name of one of my dearest students. Thank you for allowing me to ramble! ~Victoria
Hi Victoria, That’s very interesting, would love to read your posts about your stay in the UAE. It’s too bad it was cut short. I think Dubai is a nice place for families as there are loads of activities for the kids. Regards, Zainab
These characters are so common in our part of the world ……….garrulous relatives …………just enjoyed your piece
Thank you! Garrulous they are but not relatives, just called Dubai aunties but no relation at all (thank God!) 🙂
I live here in Dubai and I couldn’t help laughing off my head! I can very well picture this situation 🙂
Yes in Dubai you are bound to bump into these types. I also wrote a poem on Dubai which I’m sure you can relate to: https://zainabjavid.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/i-live-in-a-city-poem/