Is it safe for an American Male to meet new people in Dubai

Allan_Smithh00 wrote:

Hi Guys,

I am an American national who has moved to Dubai. I just wanted to ask you people one question. Is it safe for me to make new friends (through the internet) here and meet them in a public place such as a coffee shop or a mall. I am a bit skeptical about doing that, as fears of being kidnapped are always there in the back of my mind. Hope fellow expats could throw some light. Sorry for being paranoid

Paranoid indeed!

What makes you think it's open season on Americans? In fact isn't it US Navy open season on fishing boats?

Welcome Allan_Smithh00!

Good question!
I don't find any problem in that! as the malls are always crowded and you'll not be kidnapped!

@Sandman6. Your response is not related to my post, therefore i would not prefer to respond.

@James - Appreciate your response. The only thing is that i have been exchanging a few messages with one of the members. The member seems a bit over enthusiastic in meeting me. Was wondering if it would be a safe bet to meet. Agree, mentioning being Kidnapped was a bit too paranoid of me, but there are other possibilities as well.

Yes, there are some possibilities like NO SHOW! And you will be searching for him/her throughout the mall

Furthermore, I assume that you have his/her cell number and it's clear whether he is HE or SHE There is a possibility that someone pretending himself to be a girl turns out a boy

my god!!! get over yourself.  Who the hell would want to kidnap you? Political refugees, filmstars and royalty walk around dubai without a care in the world and YOU'RE worried?  You cant even go to a movie in the US without the fear of getting shot.

Believe me, you are as invisible and insignificant here as you are back home in the US.

Methinks the man doth protest too much.

giasi wrote:

my god!!! get over yourself.  Who the hell would want to kidnap you? Political refugees, filmstars and royalty walk around dubai without a care in the world and YOU'RE worried?  You cant even go to a movie in the US without the fear of getting shot.

Believe me, you are as invisible and insignificant here as you are back home in the US.

Methinks the man doth protest too much.

hahaha!
good !

I am a kiwi living in a compound full of indians, arabs, asians and africans, in the outskirts of Dubai I am more likely to get kidnapped than you but Dubai is one of the safest places in the world you will be fine, if you are going to meet someone though do it in a public place and at least have their cellphone number

I hate to sound like a jerk, but you're just making it seem like Americans live in a bubble when it comes to international relations...

Go out and meet people... no different than back home..

Thank you all for your responses, though some of them have been really sarcastic

The fact that i have serviced in the Military and have been to places like Iraq adds more to my paranoia, specially being in an another Arab country.

Having said that i am making an effort to meet new people. Have you guys met people in real from this forum? How has your experience been.

TC,
Allan

Allan_Smithh00, I've met quite a few people from expat-blog!

and it was a wonderful experience!

youl be fine iv met a couple of people off another expat website and its been fine,  hopefully will get to meet some more people from here to,

as everyone said...you need to chill out!!

i am guessing you moved here for work, so take a colleague/friend with you for the first time if it helps build any confidence.

in Dubai ppl meet online all the time...thre are hundreds of sites and groups online which actually help ppl meet for real.


cheers!

Hi Fahim, could you please recommend some good websites? (Not expat-forum or meetup though)

Hi,

You could be excused for being paranoid (seems to be natural for the Americans):-0)
Your getting kidnapped has as much chance of your waking up on the moon tomorrow!  So don't worry.  Dubai is certainly the most safe city, and 100% safer than all American cities.  On the matter of becoming friends online, take a bit of care to avoid getting into some unwanted trap.  Guess you can judge someone better when you meet in person.
Welcome to Dubai and enjoy life here
Cheers

giasi wrote:

my god!!! get over yourself.  Who the hell would want to kidnap you? Political refugees, filmstars and royalty walk around dubai without a care in the world and YOU'RE worried?  You cant even go to a movie in the US without the fear of getting shot.

Believe me, you are as invisible and insignificant here as you are back home in the US.

Methinks the man doth protest too much.

this is the best answer!

Allan_Smithh00: Why don't you call 999 before you meet this person. Maybe they will agree to come with you!!!

but please don't call them during Ramadan, they will not appreciate your joke...

nickial wrote:

giasi wrote:

my god!!! get over yourself.  Who the hell would want to kidnap you? Political refugees, filmstars and royalty walk around dubai without a care in the world and YOU'RE worried?  You cant even go to a movie in the US without the fear of getting shot.

Believe me, you are as invisible and insignificant here as you are back home in the US.

Methinks the man doth protest too much.

this is the best answer!

Allan_Smithh00: Why don't you call 999 before you meet this person. Maybe they will agree to come with you!!!

but please don't call them during Ramadan, they will not appreciate your joke...

hhhhhhhhhhhhhh u guys over there all funny

Allan_Smithh00 wrote:

Hi Guys,

I am an American national who has moved to Dubai. I just wanted to ask you people one question. Is it safe for me to make new friends (through the internet) here and meet them in a public place such as a coffee shop or a mall. I am a bit skeptical about doing that, as fears of being kidnapped are always there in the back of my mind. Hope fellow expats could throw some light. Sorry for being paranoid

Hi Allan,

am an expart living in Dubai, believe me it is not one of the safest places in the world but it is the most safe place & country in the earth no doubt, for such organized & clean modern country u wont even worry to ask, all ppl living here have suffered to get into this country and passed many tests and illustrated by degrees and so, means u will really meet nice, educated & cool ppl around here so just shout & chill out life is beautiful

Hi everyone, need to meet more cool friends pls feel free to get in touch
i tried this website two months ago and i succeed to meet to cool ladies from my country living here, one lawyer & other logistic responsible both are just amazing & we became good close friends

a little late...but i have inboxed it to you!

Hi Allan

If you play football (and yes I mean your kind of football!) why don't you join one of the two Dubai teams in the recently launched Emirates American Football League (see wwe.eafl.ae for more details).

The Barracudas train at Dubai Modern High School, Nad Al Sheba & the Stallions at Greenfield Community School, DIP both on Monday & Wednesday evenings from 8-10pm.

This is a great way to keep in shape, socialise and meet new people.  We have players of every nationality, background and level of playing experience and to my knowledge none have been kidnapped from the field to-date

We have our two day pre-season training camp coming up this weekend at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi to which everyone is welcome to attend.  Games will start in November so even if you don't want to play (or coach) then come along and at least support the guys.

Hope to see you soon!  Karyn

fahim007 wrote:

a little late...but i have inboxed it to you!

Hi Fahim, Can I get the list too?

Cheers!!

Funk wrote:

fahim007 wrote:

a little late...but i have inboxed it to you!

Hi Fahim, Can I get the list too?

Cheers!!

done!

Very entertaining !! All  of your messages!!!:lol:That's why I love this forum!!!!

Last we heard of Allan was on the 23rd of July, this year.... he's probably been kidnapped by now.. lol !

LMAO!

Saud1979 wrote:

Last we heard of Allan was on the 23rd of July, this year.... he's probably been kidnapped by now.. lol !

Reading above post was entertaining

Saud1979 wrote:

Last we heard of Allan was on the 23rd of July, this year.... he's probably been kidnapped by now.. lol !

ROFL!

Saud1979 wrote:

Last we heard of Allan was on the 23rd of July, this year.... he's probably been kidnapped by now.. lol !

Well i am safe and sound buddy. Thanks for checking up on me though . I must admit the responses have been really funny, but you have to understand where i am coming from. I worked in Afghanistan and then in Iraq in very difficult situations.

By the way, the Dubai experience has been fascinating so far.

Cheers!

Allan

Good to know your safe and sound pal ! You must of realized by now, that Dubai has a huge 'expat' population, many that come from the States and Europe.

I've lived here all my life, my father was an employee with the US Army, Corps of Engineers. I went to the American School here, and I remember, almost every second child studying with me was American, and this is between the year 83'-94'..

So enjoy the hot weather, make loads of cash, and retire at an early age !

Cheers..

So how was it after all ? That's if you guys even hung out

It is  Very  safe 

Dubai and  all UAE is  safe  place  and  i think it  is  the  best  place  to make  friends

Very entertaining thread

Allan it’s safe as much as a kid is safe in lab of her mother so relax

Dont be paranoid just come outof your shell & meet us all :-)

Just to let you all know that Allan is fine, healthy and enjoying the amazing sandy pits of Dubai ! His Arabic skills have enhanced remarkably thus making him a front runner in any security intervention required by the U.S.

Saud..

Hahah allan he youre doing good bud!!

is it safe?? it depends. any country, its not easy to trust. but sometimes you have to trust in order for you to find friends. there are good people and not so good. you have to get to know them.

im here mr smith..... im gonna visit dubai lonely for a mission ...im gonna be pleased to contact u.......