I need an expert on modern Arab life

fringle

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Is there anyone on this board who either lives in an Arab country or is Arab and is willing to answer some simple, basic questions via PM? All my questions pertain to my MG novel, part of which is set in Dubai, and do not delve into politics or religion. Thanks so much!
 

alleycat

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You might try posting your question on something like the City-Data forum (in the World sub-forum). I'm sure there are other forums devoted specifically to Dubai.
 

VeggieChick

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Or search for blogs of expats living in Dubai (there are tons) and send a quick email to see if they'd be willing to answer a few questions.
 

petec

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I lived and worked in Dubai for a while, but as an expat.
As non-nationals, we did not get involved in the Arab way of life, so it depends on what sort of information you're looking for.
 

daehedr

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I work in an ESL school and most of my students are Arabic many from Dubai, if it helps I could ask some of them?
 

firedrake

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There's a British Expats forum and there's a fair few people on there who live in Dubai.
 

Keyan

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Can you post the questions?

I've spent time in Dubai, but I'm not Arab.
 

fringle

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Super! Thanks for the responses. I've been to Dubai three times this year, but like some said, there isn't a lot of mixing between foreigners and locals. I just want to double check some of my facts and points.
Here are a couple of questions:

1. The Arab word for "dad" is Abbi, right? Would an Arab girl, not a UAE girl, but a moderate Muslim girl from Egypt, living in UAE for her father's job, refer to her father as Abbi? Or is there a different way of addressing ones parents? Would Abbi be capitalized?

2. You know all those belly dancing shows at hotels and in the desert safaris? What countries might the belly dancers come from?

Thanks!
 

Keyan

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Hmm. I don't know about the word for Dad, but there's someone from Cairo on another group I hang out at. If I get a response, I'll post here.

The belly-dancers - I think they were traditionally from Egypt and maybe Turkey, but now there are also many from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union - places like Romania.
 

Vincent

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I've seen the odd Syrian soap opera episode. They're at least as good as Brazilian soap operas.
 

Keyan

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Hmm. I don't know about the word for Dad, but there's someone from Cairo on another group I hang out at. If I get a response, I'll post here.

The belly-dancers - I think they were traditionally from Egypt and maybe Turkey, but now there are also many from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union - places like Romania.

Result of some googling: Abbi is right for Dad, another alternative (considered warmer, I think) is Baba. If she's modern enough, Daddy is also fine.
 

mewoone

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what do you need to know ,, i am from UAE ,, and about how we call father it depends if you are young and modern you will call your father baba and if you are older you will call him aboe ( I am from the old school so I always called my father aboee)