Leena Asher - CultureShock! Dubai

Culture shock is a state of disorientation that can come over anyone who has been thrust into unknown surroundings, away from ones comfort zone. CultureShock! is a series of trusted and reputed guides which has, for decades, been helping expatriates and long-term visitors to cushion the impact of culture shock whenever they move to a new country.

Written by people who have lived in the country and experienced culture shock themselves, the authors share all the information necessary for anyone to cope with these feelings of disorientation more effectively. The guides are written in a style that is easy to read and covers a range of topics that will arm readers with enough advice, hints and tips to make their lives as normal as possible again.

Each book is structured in the same manner. It begins with the first impressions that visitors will have of that city or country. To understand a culture, one must first understand the peoplewhere they came from, who they are, the values and traditions they live by, as well as their customs and etiquette. This is covered in the first half of the book.

Then on with the practical aspectshow to settle in with the greatest of ease. Authors walk readers through how to find accommodation, get the utilities and telecommunications up and running, enrol the children in school and keep in the pink of health. But thats not all. Once the essentials are out of the way, venture out and try the food, enjoy more of the culture and travel to other areas. Then be immersed in the language of the country before discovering more about the business side of things.

To round off, snippets of information are offered before readers are tested on customs and etiquette. Useful words and phrases, a comprehensive resource guide and list of books for further research are also included for easy reference.

2016 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited

Text Leena Asher 2016

Published by Marshall Cavendish Editions

An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International

1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196

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National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Name(s): Asher, Leena.

Title: CultureShock! Dubai : a survival guide to customs and etiquette / Leena Asher.

Other title(s): Culture shock!

Description: Singapore : Marshall Cavendish Editions, [2016]

Identifier(s): OCN 956486768 | eISBN 978 981 47 7148 1

Subject(s): LCSH: Etiquette--United Arab Emirates--Dubayy (Emirate) | Dubayy (United Arab Emirates : Emirate)--Social life and customs. | Dubayy (United Arab Emirates : Emirate)-

Description and travel.

Classification: DDC 953.57--dc23

Printed in Singapore by Markono Print Media Pte Ltd

Photo Credits:

All photos from Leena Asher, except on (Roman Logov/ StockSnap.io)

Cover photo: Nicolai Berntsen/ StockSnap.io

All illustrations by TRIGG

Writing CultureShock! Dubai was both a fulfilling and educational journey. It was such a satisfying experience to write about Dubai, the city I was born and brought up in, the city where I feel the safest in the world, the city I call home, the city I hear about when I travel, the city where the world comes, the city that outshines the rest of the region by leaps and bounds. When I travel outside Dubai and make friends, people are excited to know more about Dubai. I have welcomed several of them when they come here as tourists and I take pride in seeing how much they enjoy spending time in this city.

I have witnessed the city rising from the sands of the desert to the world-class city it is today. We have grown up together, Dubai and me. I counted the floors as Emirates Towers was being constructed and thought, this is going to be the tallest building in Dubai. Very soon, I was counting the floors as the construction of Burj Khalifa began.

Throughout my journey of writing this book, I have come to have a lot of respect for the leadership, the culture, the perfect life that Dubai tirelessly tries to create for all the people who step into this city, whether they are visiting Dubai for a day, a week or have been working here for several years and generations.

Dubai is my home and this is where I will always want to live. Having travelled around the globe, I consider Dubai home because it provides safety and security to me and my family, and a quality of life that I see unmatched anywhere else.

Dubai has been shaped as a dream unfolding from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

CultureShock! Dubai is my dedication to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the one man whose single, focused dedication transformed the merchant transit city into a world-class city that rivals its counterparts like Paris, New York and London. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoums focused vision revolutionised Dubai; both locals and expatriates are equally grateful.

The magnificent Burj Khalifa.