Oh Dubai, we love the tax-free income, the cheap petrol, the free ladies’ nights.

But sometimes, the tight-ass in all of us gets angry, when you lose that bit of money. 

“It’s not the money, it’s the principle of it,” we’ve all said. 

Here are some of the things that REALLY set off those thrifty friends. 

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1. Your taxi amounts to AED15.50 and you have no coins

Do you tip him the whole AED4.5? Do you ask for two coins back? Aurgh! You don’t want to look like a tight-ass but you DO want to act like one. 

Damn notes. 

2. When restaurants don’t have local water

No thank you, no I won’t be paying AED45 for the privilege of drinking water. I’d rather go thirsty and mutter under my breath for the entire meal. K thanks.

3. When you can’t cut in at Hessa Street, so have to go up to MoE and pay the Salik fee

Or you miss your turn off and have to pay it. No thanks. I’ll wait. 

4. When the Careem/Uber peaks to 2.2

Screw that, I’ll walk the 11km along Al Khail Road to get home. 

5. When you order for the office on Deliveroo and everyone gives you the exact change

WITHOUT chipping in for the delivery fee

6. When your roommate leaves the lights on and AC blasting and you’re paying the DEWA 

7. When you go to a restaurant on the Entertainer, and then they don’t accept the Entertainer

8. When you move house and don’t realise you are the one who has to pay for the chiller fees 

“WHAT is a capacity charge? Why am I paying this? Do I even need AC?” 

9. When you spend an extra AED50 to get the AED250 voucher at H&M, only to find out you have to spend another AED250 just to avail the voucher

That dang fine-print! 

10. When your friends have their birthday brunch at the MOST expensive place in town

And you can’t really NOT go or not pay. 

Sigh, #firstworldproblems at their worst.