Why many people say Arabian Gulf cities look "Fake " and "Soulless" ?

[Skyprince]

Well , Dubai is home to Emirati music/dance/entertainment

[Manila-X]

Originally Posted by Skyprince

Well , Dubai is home to Emirati music/dance/entertainment

But this is more traditional and those who are interested in this are mostly Arabs themselves or from any country within the Islamic cultural sphere.

[Skyprince]

Originally Posted by Manila-X

But this is more traditional and those who are interested in this are mostly Arabs themselves or from any country within the Islamic cultural sphere.

But its still the culture that Dubai could present to the world. Looking at their dance- it is almost exactly as what they carried from the past.

Also, UAE's population is very small. South Korea has 50 times biugger population than native population of UAE ( about 1 million ) , this this partly explain why there is less chance of Emirati native singers/entertainers making big in the world.

[Skyprince]

Originally Posted by Manila-X

This is where contrast shows. While there are native Emiratis who can live in luxury, the majority of the city, The South Asians have to live in drab conditions and have to deal with prejudice, hardships and to some extent violating their human rights especially those who construct the supertalls that you see in this city.

And riots do happen!

Most of random South Asians I met in UAE are semi-professionals ( IT workers, shopkeepers, business-owners etc even many Engineers ) earning 3000-6000 Dirhams/month, which I think good salary. Most of them get free accommodation ( good housing/apartment ) and many other benefits.

Also I met many ultra-rich Indians, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis living very high life in Dubai , in the most expensive apartments and driving posh cars.

There are of course, many poorly -paid South Asians mostly in construction and customer-service jobs. But if given chance, almost all of them would ratehr stay in Dubai then returning to their own countries where pay is incredibly far less and working condition can be worse.

Dubai and the rest of Gulf , from what I saw there, is incredibly full of different faces and life stories

[Sarcasticity]

Maybe 'cause the buildings are as vacant as the streets. But I wouldn't say soul-less. The cities do look very superficial

[Manila-X]

To be honest, I would like to visit Dubai one of these days but I do not want to live nor work there. I'm happy with my career here in Manila.

But again, as a city, Dubai is becoming the hub of The Middle East and since it is an open city is one of the factors in its contribution.

[RonnieR]

Originally Posted by Skyprince

But its still the culture that Dubai could present to the world. Looking at their dance- it is almost exactly as what they carried from the past.

Also, UAE's population is very small. South Korea has 50 times biugger population than native population of UAE ( about 1 million ) , this this partly explain why there is less chance of Emirati native singers/entertainers making big in the world.

I would love to visit Dubai but I have no intention to work there.....interesting traditional dance.

[turigamot]

Originally Posted by Manila-X

Plus The Olympics as the case with Seoul.



Can Dubai show the same flair?

Eh... I wouldn't really use that as an example. Because that is just as superficial as Dubai's built-for-no-reason supertalls.

The cultural dance that was shown *is* something that would make a city stand out, and be worth visiting. Like Rio's Carnival, or American street musicians.



(watch the whole thing)

This is what makes cities *not* superficial and fake. Their unique cultural identity.

But the problem of Dubai is what Dubai itself presents to the rest of the world: they don't show old Dubai. They want people to see the skyscrapers. And the rest of the world isn't all that impressed.

[Skyprince]

Originally Posted by Manila-X

To be honest, I would like to visit Dubai one of these days but I do not want to live nor work there. I'm happy with my career here in Manila.

But again, as a city, Dubai is becoming the hub of The Middle East and since it is an open city is one of the factors in its contribution.

Originally Posted by RonnieR

I would love to visit Dubai but I have no intention to work there.....interesting traditional dance.

Actually, outside Malaysia my no.1 place to live in are Arabian Gulf states. There are so many reasons why I just love the lifestyle and people there.

Originally Posted by turigamot

Eh... I wouldn't really use that as an example. Because that is just as superficial as Dubai's built-for-no-reason supertalls.

The cultural dance that was shown *is* something that would make a city stand out, and be worth visiting. Like Rio's Carnival, or American street musicians.

This is what makes cities *not* superficial and fake. Their unique cultural identity.

But the problem of Dubai is what Dubai itself presents to the rest of the world: they don't show old Dubai. They want people to see the skyscrapers. And the rest of the world isn't all that impressed.

There is alot of truth of what u said !! Indeed Dubai/UAE and Qatar especially, tend to showcase the modern side while even for tourism ads I've seen of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, they solely tend to portray Desert and water activities. I haven't seen serious publisity of traditional/old districts .

[citypia]

Originally Posted by Skyprince

Indeed, but I can hardly name famous artists, entertainers, scientists, pets etc who are originally from say, Amsterdam ? or Seoul ?

Famous artists, entertainers from Seoul.
These are the example.
Sumi Jo
image hosted on flickr

Flickr에서 Hyundaicapital님의 현대캐피탈 Invitational 조수미 파크콘서트

Kim Yunjin
image hosted on flickr

Flickr에서 T.O.P_GDragon님의 Yunjin Kim (Sun Kwon)

The most famous person from Seoul. Do you know who he is?
image hosted on flickr

[citypia]

Originally Posted by turigamot

Eh... I wouldn't really use that as an example. Because that is just as superficial as Dubai's built-for-no-reason supertalls.

I think that Manila-X is just trying to show the one of famost k-pop artists, which is very popular across the asia.
The dance on the video doesn't represent korean culture.
Also, there is no reason to be superficial on the video as long as boom boom dance or anything is for every one, every country.

Originally Posted by turigamot

The cultural dance that was shown *is* something that would make a city stand out, and be worth visiting. Like Rio's Carnival, or American street musicians.



(watch the whole thing)

This is what makes cities *not* superficial and fake. Their unique cultural identity.

But the problem of Dubai is what Dubai itself presents to the rest of the world: they don't show old Dubai. They want people to see the skyscrapers. And the rest of the world isn't all that impressed.

I want to ask one thing. Do you really think that those kind of video clips stand out the city(Washington D.C.) and make people think worth visiting. To me, not really.
Is it really a unique cultural identity of the city, which the other cities in the world don't have?
I saw similar things many other cities in the world, for example, Paris in France.
Also, those kind of rhythm and music are not originally from Africa, Central or South America?

[isaidso]

Arab gulf state cities don't get a fair shake. People often just look at the new skyscrapers sprouting out of the desert when forming their opinions. They tend to over look the older more established parts of these cities. Having said that, when cities grow rapidly they have a tendency to look sterile, monotonous, and forced. This is true no matter where in the world they are built.

An area where 30 skyscrapers are built in 5 years is going to have architecture of the same era and often similar materials used. It can leave a place looking fake, life less, and/or soul less.

Areas that have built up over a century are going to have great layering, variety in the built form, and have grown organically. They tend to look and feel far more natural than any instant city. Even in Toronto, the new multi tower developments get lambasted by the locals. City Place on our waterfront is a good example of that. It's a 20 tower development consisting of 20-50 floor glass condo buildings. It's been widely criticized.

Places like Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, etc, are being criticized for the exact same thing as modern developments in the west get criticized for. The only difference is that so much of these Arab cities (that people notice) are these huge multi tower developments rather than neighbourhoods that have grown over many decades.

[citypia]

Outsiders or visitors don't know the depth of the city.
They can have only shallow perception according to their standard and lifestyle.
Only the people who live in the city for long long time know the what the city about.

Only time heals all wounds of Dubai today.

[Manila-X]

Originally Posted by citypia

I think that Manila-X is just trying to show the one of famost k-pop artists, which is very popular across the asia.
The dance on the video doesn't represent korean culture.
Also, there is no reason to be superficial on the video as long as boom boom dance or anything is for every one, every country.

What I'm trying to show is with local Korean talents especially when it comes to popular music, they can promote their city (Seoul) in an exciting and entertaining way.

Dubai lack popular local artists or even if there are, they are not as popular nor have a cult following that K-Pop has.

[Manila-X]

edit

[goschio]

Originally Posted by Skyprince

I've been to UK, Australia, France, Netherlands etc. and many big Asian cities but still I must say relative to its size, Dubai is the most bustling and vibrant major city I've seen, IMO the warm weather and the local culture of staying outdoor till midnight makes it feel very lively all the day.

Just a bizarre statement.

[turigamot]

Originally Posted by citypia

I want to ask one thing. Do you really think that those kind of video clips stand out the city(Washington D.C.) and make people think worth visiting. To me, not really.

Yes. Because it is a particular style known as Go-Go, unique to DC.

Is it really a unique cultural identity of the city, which the other cities in the world don't have?
I saw similar things many other cities in the world, for example, Paris in France.

Also, those kind of rhythm and music are not originally from Africa, Central or South America?

While it may have roots in African music (as a lot of American music does, considering the large number of Africans who were, more or less, forced to go to the Americas), music evolves over time. These rhythms are used in, as I said before, Go-Go, a particular style of music in DC, which also incorporates funk and hip-hop elements.

But you are completely missing the point. What I meant to demonstrate was that mass-produced, saccharine "culture" is not what gives a city it's "vibe". It is the street culture. It is what is on display as you travel the routes and do the things the natives do. It is their traditions and their quirks and their rich histories.

If I were to go to Japan, I would be interested in the festivals, and the swarms of Tokyo, and the cuisine, and the shikansen, among other things.

If I were to go to Korea, I would be interested in, again, the festivals, the cuisine, and seeing a Starcraft tournament.

If I were to go to Germany, I would be interested in the castles, in the old breweries, in the oddness of Berlin, in watching a Bayern Munich soccer match, in the Landshuter Hochzeit.

I don't care about pop music. I don't care about celebrities. And I don't care about skyscrapers built for the sake of telling the world, "hey, look at us! we are modern like you!".

I care about what makes that place special.

[turigamot]

Originally Posted by Manila-X

What I'm trying to show is with local Korean talents especially when it comes to popular music, they can promote their city (Seoul) in an exciting and entertaining way.

Dubai lack popular local artists or even if there are, they are not as popular nor have a cult following that K-Pop has.

I don't really understand that though. That is like a Canadian pointing at Justin Bieber and saying, "That guy! He is representative of Canada! Aren't you interested in Canada now?"

Obviously, it doesn't work that way.

[Skyprince]

Originally Posted by Manila-X

What I'm trying to show is with local Korean talents especially when it comes to popular music, they can promote their city (Seoul) in an exciting and entertaining way.

Dubai lack popular local artists or even if there are, they are not as popular nor have a cult following that K-Pop has.

But K-pop isn't popular in Middle East, Africa, and even in most of Europe. They are popular in East Asia, most of Southeast Asia, and where else ??

Same with Dubai- their folk dance & Bedouin Music, while not popular in East Asia, is quite popular in almost every corner of Middle East and parts of Africa. Once u'r in Dubai and live there for few months u will get familiar with many local Emirati & expats celebrities.

[HK999]

It all depends. For some people the "best" city is the one where they find the love of their life. For others it's because of a highly paid job. I for one couldn't live in Dubai (or any Gulf cities for that matter), because of one simple reason: I'm not a Muslim, so I don't want Islam and its weird laws / culture to mix up with my daily life in any way.

And yeah I forgot: There are no (hot) girls on the streets of Dubai, all I see are men, men and men. I wonder how would everyone react if I approach a girl in a traditional tea / coffee shop, talk to her and ask her out lol?