Dubai Dating - Meeting Single Men and Women in Dubai

Dubai is the largest emirate by population and the second-largest by territory among the seven emirates that together constitute the UAE or United Arab Emirates. Dubai’s pre-eminence in the political and economic equations of the region has made it one of the best places to live and socialize in the Middle East.

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Two main factors which have led to Dubai’s significance in the politics and economy of the region are its geographical location and the discovery of oil in 1966. The former ensured that Dubai emerged as an important trading hub at the juncture between Asia, Africa and Europe as well as a crucial port controlling commercial and military sea-routes. However it was the discovery of vast reserves of petroleum that Dubai was catapulted to the forefront of the geo-political and economic power-play, a status that it continues to engage the interests of all the major super-powers of the world.

However today Dubai has moved beyond a sole dependence on oil and has successfully diversified into real-estate, construction, trade, entrepot and financial services. Even though last year there was some concern about a few of Dubai’s multi-billion dollar projects being affected by recession, the city continues to offer its richest denizens one of the most expensive ways of life. Around 17% of Dubai’s residents are UAE nationals while an overwhelming 71.4 % is made up of expatriates, according to figures provided in 2005 by Metropolitan Statistics Dubai UAE. Most of the expatriate population is made of skilled and unskilled workers from Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Philippines. A wealthier but minority chunk of the expatriate population in Dubai comprises of the professionals, businessmen and their families from developed countries like USA, Canada, UK, Australia and other European nations. The demographics of Dubai make it evident that the region’s population is cosmopolitan mix with people coming to work here from all corners of the world. This cosmopolitanism in fact gives a unique flavor to Dubai’s social scene with people of various races and ethnicities having the opportunity to come together.

However the absence of an open dating culture means that venues where singles of the city can meet up are few and restricted to the certain sections of the population. Islam which forms the state religion in UAE traditionally prohibits the free mingling of the sexes before marriage and this acts a dampener on dating even among people of other religions and nationalities. Also consumption of alcohol is forbidden under Islamic law. As a result, pubs, nightclubs and bars which make up the most popular hang-outs for singles in liberal societies cannot function as stand-alone establishments in Dubai. However bars and clubs are allowed to exist in Dubai as long as they form part of big hotels and fine dining establishments. In fact Dubai has the most vibrant nightlife in the region and in an article dated December 2007 and titled, ‘Clubs Bloom in the Desert’, the New York Times describes Dubai as “the kind of city where you might run into Michael Jordan at the Buddha Bar or stumble across Naomi Campbell celebrating her birthday with a multiday bash”.  Some of the most fashionable nightclubs in the city-state are Peppermint at the Habtoor Grand Resort, the Trilogy at the Medinat Jumeira Hotel, and the 400 Club of the Fairmont Dubai. Added to these are the numerous Shisha and Qahwah boutiques the dot the city as well as stylish theme lounge bars like the Trader Vic’s at the Crowne Plaza Dubai, the Cuban-themed Malecon and the Red Square Discothèque in Hotel Moscow.  These venues are quite popular with singles of Dubai looking for a night out but are mostly restricted to the very rich or the Western expatriate community.

Huge shopping malls are one of the prime tourist attractions of Dubai and these also make ideal meeting grounds for singles who do not want to frequent nightclubs and lounge bars. Some of the best known among these are the Deira City Centre, Mirdiff City Centre, BurJuman, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall and Ibn Battuta Mall where couples can browse through the latest in fashion brands as well as bond with each other. Other destinations which can turn into an equally enjoyable day out for couples and singles include the traditional souk districts of Dubai. Then again there are events like Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises which attract over 4 million visitors from across the region and generate revenues over $2.7 billion annually. At the same time these festivals are much more than commercial enterprises – they are in fact a cultural extravaganza, showcasing the cuisine, the music and crafts of the region and offering ample opportunities for the singles of the city to meet each other.

Despite its desert landscape, Dubai is home to some of the most breathtaking parks and landmarks in the world. The Burj Khalifa, the Deira Clock Tower and the Jumeira are only a few of the most magnificent points of the cityscape while green spaces like the Safa Park, the Mushrif Park and the Wild Wadi Park heighten its beauty. As dating venues however these are mostly frequented by expatriate singles who are also expected to refrain from behavior unacceptable to the laws of the city-state.

The vacuum created in the dating landscape by orthodox mores has more than been filled up the Internet. The singles of Dubai are increasingly taking recourse to the large number of dating and matrimonial websites which let young people get to know each other besides allowing them to email, chat as well as share photos and videos and all these without dating openly and running the risk of the religious and moral police. Most of these sites are cater to singles of specific religious or ethnic communities like Muslims, Arabs, Iranians, South Asian while a few may be merely social networking sites which simply let young people hang out together in the virtual world.

Overall Dubai, with its large expatriate population, vast financial resources and an administration that is culturally more tolerant as compared to other emirates like Saudi Arabia, is one of the best places to live and love in the region.