Last week a Lovin Dubai article about an ADNOC update went viral.

The article mentioned a couple of new features you’ll notice when you visit an ADNOC station, but the point that people cared about most was that soon you’ll need to pay for the luxury of having someone fill up your petrol.

And people went off…

This comment got the biggest positive response

“Will someone please tell these expats (that advise the government) to stop introducing all these Western ideas here. We like it here because it’s NOT like the West!!! Geez, first they introduce VAT, then remove 20kph grace on radar, now remove pump attendants! What next? Leave UAE alone. It’s just fine the way it is.”

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-Facebook user

The first ever tax was introduced in the UAE this year

5% VAT was introduced in the UAE at the beginning of this year, and while you may notice that 5% cost on top of your weekly shopping cost, or your lunch is priced that little bit higher, but fortunately there is no sign of an income tax for residents…woo!

And other popular western ways hold no place here.

The UAE is a conservative country, where tourists and residents are expected dress respectfully. There are strict rules regarding alcohol and drugs in the UAE, you can’t buy alcohol without a licence, and you can’t be under the influence in public, which might seem out of place in western countries.

The workweek in the UAE runs from Sunday till Thursday to respect the Islamic holy day, which falls on a Friday. That’s also going nowhere.

The UAE is rich in its own culture and history 

With roughly just 20% Emiratis versus 80% expats making up the 9.2 million total population, traditional Emirati culture remains steeped in the modern day.

In some countries, where the local language has fallen by the way-side to make room for the dominant spoken language, Arabic holds a strong foothold here, you’ll learn it in school, you’ll take exams and you’ll speak it day-to-day. Same for traditional clothing, food, song and dance; the UAE National Day is just an example for how fiercely proud the Emirati people are, but you it’s something you’ll see day-to-day too.

And as a tourist and resident, you can easily immerse yourself in local culture – check out Old Dubai, the souks, the museums, the galleries, or get yourself out to the desert for a traditional or modern experience, depending on how brave you feel in a 4×4.

What does Dubai do best?

Dubai should be seen a shining example to the rest of the world of how cultures, nationalities and religions can live, peacefully, side-by-side. Sure you can adopt new ideas (sometimes the best innovations are simply lifted from other markets, *cough* Lovin Dublin, we see you) but nope, Dubai is certainly not becoming ‘too western’.