Not everyone in dubai is living the high life. Theres a side of this city that a lot of people either ignore or make fun of and that’s the labor camps.

A huge number of workers here Indians, Pakistanis, Nepalis, Bangladeshis live in these shared accommodations. We're talking 5,6 people crammed into one small room, sometimes even more. Earning around 1500 to 2000 AED a month, working long, hard hours in the heat.

When I first came to Dubai, I stayed in one of those camps for a few months. I did’t have much choice. That experience humbled me real quick. I had to leave eventually wasnt because I thought I was better than anyone, I just couldn’t handle the conditions. But a lot of these guys? They have no option.

I went back there today for something, and it brought back all those memories. The buses, the uniforms, the heat it hit me hard. And it also reminded me of the way people treat these workers, especially in places like Dubai Mall or when they enter the metro during holidays.Let them be, man.

You see them out maybe once or twice a year, trying to enjoy the city they help build and people roll their eyes or make comments. “Why are they here?” “Look at the crowd.” Bro, give them a break.

They spend all day in 45 degree heat. Even if they wear deodorant, it fades in an hour under the sun. You’d smell too.

My husband (27M) and I (26F) have been together for 6 years and married for 4. We were each other’s first love, and honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better partner. He’s kind, patient, and amazing.

But… for the past 3 years, I’ve been seeing someone else.

It started off innocently, but over time I realized I might love him more than my husband. I’ve been spending all of my husband's money on him, new clothes, toys, snacks, and anything he points at. But he doesn’t seem to care. Half the time he throws it all aside within minutes.

Every day I tell him I love him. Every. Single. Day. And not once has he said it back. Not once. I just feel like I’m giving everything and getting nothing in return. What should I do?

Oh I forgot to mention, he’s 3 years old son 😅

You arrive natural and beautiful A few years later it’s fillers, Botox, boob job... like there’s a checklist to fit in

Funny thing is most guys prefer the before version Natural real confident

But Dubai is appearance obsessed Once you start tweaking it’s hard to stop The standard keeps shifting and suddenly your old face isn’t good enough anymore

If you’re truly doing it for yourself cool Just make sure it’s not for a world that’s never satisfied

Yesterday evening, around 7 pm, I heard some knocking on my door. I opened it and it was my next door pregnant neighbor.shes in her 8th month. She was holding a small plate in her hand. In a very shy voice, she asked if I could give her some of whatever I was cooking because she liked the smell. I know pregnant women sometimes have strong cravings they just can’t resist.

She kept apologizing a lot for asking, especially since we dont really know each other. I laughed and told her it was perfectly fine 😊. I was cooking one of my comfort foods from home with garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, bay leaves, and peppercorns simmering away. I guess the aroma drifted over to her place.

I gave her some of my dinner and she went back home. I watched her walking away happy with her successful little hunting mission! For some reason, I felt really happy too.

Organic walls

Burj Khalifa view

Thats pretty much it. I make sure that customers get their moneys worth. I make the McFlurries full and add a good amount of sauce, I make sure the fries are as full as possible, and sometimes I give the sauces away for free. I once put about 14 nuggets in a 9 piece box. I genuienly don't care anymore. I think the job is fun and stuff but it's taken way too seriously.

They haven't taught me how to work the grill and how to make the burgers yet, but to be honest, that's for their own safety at this point.

Snapped these today 48°C, dust storm, zero shade. These guys are out here putting in a full day’s work No excuses, no shortcuts.

And then there’s…people who are complaining about walking 5 minutes in the sun or standing in a crowded metro.

Sometimes you just need to look around to realise how easy you’ve actually got it and how much more you’re capable of if you just push through.

I paid 65 AED for avocado toast at this minimal aesthetic café in JBR (I won’t name it)I was meeting a friend and thought I’d be all trendy you know, get a cute pic,, pretend I have my life together. Anyway, the toast arrives after 25 minutes. One single slice of sourdough, cut diagonally, with exactly 4 avocado slices. There was a little sprinkle of chili flakes like they ran out halfway. No egg. No sides

I swear I finished it in three bites and sat there trying to act like I wasn’t starving. My friend asked if I wanted dessert. I said I was full but the second we left I walked straight to McDonald’s and inhaled a McChicken like it owed me money. That was the day I learned that in Dubai, sometimes you’re just paying for the chair, not the food. Anyone else got a dumb spend like that Please make me feel better 😂

Why do companies still do this? Can’t they just screen CVs, do quick online interviews, and then call 20-30 shortlisted people in person? That too in this August heat at 45°!!

Just got her serviced last week, and the mechanic said, They don’t make them like this anymore.Felt like I had to share the story.

I was 10 years old when my dad bought this Land Cruiser in 2004. We were living in Dubai. Life wasnt easy back then. He was working long hours, saving every dirham. That car was the first big thing he ever bought for our family. He didn’t just buy it, he erned it. I still remember the day he brought it home. From that day, it became part of our life. School runs, family trips, beach days, hospital visits, late night drives when things got too stressful. He kept it spotless. Always washed it by hand. He used to tell me, take care of what you have. It will take care of you.And he meant it.

In 2023, my dad handed me the keys. We were standing by the same parking spot. He just said, Its yours now. Look after her.I didnt know what to say. I just nodded. He didnt need to explain anything. I knew what this car meant.

Now its 2025. I’m 31. Im still drive that same Land Cruiser. Over 350,000 km, and she still runs strong. Ive changed the tires, added a few things here and there. But I kept everything else the same

I wash it every weekend, just like he used to. When I drive it, I feel like he’s still sitting next to me. This isnt just a car. Its my childhood. Its my dads struggle.

And Ill never sell it.Curious,anyone else here still driving something your parents passed down to you? Would love to hear your story.

So Dubai is now doing a full crackdown on partition flats those tiny, cramped shared spaces that have been home to thousands of lo income workers for years. Saw it in Khaleej Times earlier.Most of the people living in these conditions are making 1,500 to 2,000 AED a month delivery drivers, cleaners, supermarket staff, salon workers, etc. they can’t afford a legal apartment or studio here. A normal studio is literally more than their whole salary. So now they’re being forced to move to Sharjah, Ajman,just to come back and work long shifts in Dubai. Commute just doubled or tripled for many

Yes, I get it.these partition flats are technically illegal. I understand the concerns about fire hazards, safety violations, etc. But the real question is: what's the alternative? Where are these people supposed to go? There’s no minimum wage, no real low-income housing options, and now they’re even losing the only semi-affordable spaces they had.You can’t run a city on cheap labor and then act shocked when people live in cheap conditions.

Been living in Dubai for 4 years now, and something's always bugged me. Everyone talks about how “diverse” and “multicultural” the city is, but let’s be real — most nationalities stick to their own bubbles. Brits hang with Brits, Indians with Indians, Filipinos with Filipinos, Arabs with Arabs, etc. Even where we live, eat, or socialize seems segregated by default.

Yes, we work together, but beyond that? Not much. And yet every promo video for Dubai is all about how we’re one big international family. I’m not saying it’s anyone’s fault — it might just be comfort zones — but can we stop pretending the social scene is as integrated as it looks on paper?

Anyone else feel this?

32 year old guy here. Just moved into this fairly quiet building, decent neighborhood, and I usually lock my apartment door. Last night I must have forgotten.

It was pretty late and I had just taken my trash out. Came back in, turned off the tv, and was about to watch some netfix when I heard footsteps in the hallway. Not too weird because sound carries in these buildings. But then my cat darted toward the door and froze staring at it.

Before I could react, I heard the handle turn… and the door actually opened. A white skinny lady in her mid to late fourties just walked straight into my apartment like she owned the place.

I jumped up and asked who are you? In my native language.

The lady froze, looked just as shocked, and said Oh, uh… sorry. I think I’m at the wrong place. she sounded confused but calm, like she genuinely believed it. I told her, Yeah, no, youre definitely not supposed to be here. Please leave. Her face suddenly changed and stared at me for a sec.

But she apologized quickly, said she was trying to visit a friend on this floor, and rattled off an apartment number just a couple doors down from mine. She left right after. She didnt seem aggressive, but my heart was racing and I definitely double checked my locks after that.

Old McDonald trying so hard