This is a bit of a random realization post based on a recent observation. Consider it an insiders point of view to this fascinating city called Dubai.

At the Car Wash
Always remember to play an indian fm station whilst getting your car washed. Madcap pointless observation !? not really !

After rolling the car out of the wash, when one drives into the cleaning/drying area to get the car tidied up, there is generally a squad of four superfast indian+paki fellas who go zoop-zoop-zooop-zooop around the vehicle and then go ‘thank you sir – come again’. As efficient as this may seem, one usually ends up noticing soap suds still accumulated around the corner of the windshield or dust on the dashboard !!

Sooooo…. to rectify this one should play an indian fm station on the car radio when these fellas started cleaning. They usually take the liberty of pumping up the volume and then do a song and dance routine whilst doing the necessary chore. The catch here is that, a ‘regular’ hindi song from a ‘regular’ hindi film plays on for not less than 6 minutes – and usually by the 3rd minute these guys are are so engrossed into their little taptap routine.. that they prefer to stay on – clean – scrub every corner of your car till the song ends !

So there you go – you drive away feeling all happy, clean and satisfied – and they move onto another car with a happy tune in their head! – Fun for all ! :)

At the Gates
This has to be one of the most important of all Dubaian ways – its called ‘flicka the fingas ‘

When approaching a security gate of any sort – it becomes increasingly important not to come to a halt – maintain a decent rolling speed – look extremely confident and have hand ready to be raised in a gesture of ‘its allright … i show mercy – you weakling”.

Just when passing the gate, raise the hand and flick the fingers ( usually middle and index finger joined ) and in a very calm and confident manner …. drive through. If done with accuracy, nobody will ever bother asking what exactly your daily business with the sheikh really is ! :P

At the MiniMarts
Although many find this practice quite apalling and outright demeaning… its funny how second-nature it has become in this part of the world… what am i talking about ?

Im talking about how one doesnt find the need to park the car, get off and make the effort to walk into the minimart to buy anything… instead just *HONK* and scream out the shopping list. Usually, one of them employees come running out from the store to make a mental note of the list …. and in matter of seconds, have your daily milk+ bread+ jam and butter neatly placed on your back seat. how convenient !? or how spoilt !?

Well thats Dubai and the Dubaian way of doing things .. i guess !