I read this great article on the BBC about a journalist in Dubai in the company of wealthy, yet very insular expats. It's great for a laugh though the number of times that people I have met in Korea reminded me of these people is scary. Obviously there is less $300 dinners here, but otherwise.
To be fair the woman who said that Indian people were "dirty and poor" reminded me more of a Korean than of a western expat. But the idea that these people have no idea that there are poor people in Dubai is humorous to say the least and shows how many local friends they actually have. Also, they all seem to eat at the same five restaurants with the same group of people every night and drink way too much. There also seems to be a certain awkwardness around people who are not a part of the Dubai expat scene. It's like a small town with too much money.
To be fair though I am sure you could dig around Dubai and meet some amazing people, much as in Korea. The author is writing with a mix of humour and that oddly British fear of going native. I am sure more time would have uncovered amazing people, but not at that restaurant.
Anyway, the writer here uses the word 'awkward' to describe his time with them. I would probably have chosen 'bored.'
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