travelling with a stop in Dubai

[Enribote]

Hi every one,

did any one of you ever travelled through Dubai in Heels?

Would you recommend me to wear my heels in the Dubai Airport where I will wait for about 3 hours for my connection to Singapore?  

I'm just a bit afraid in such a radical hislamist country, even though I'm 100% hetero.

Thanks for your comments

Edited May 29, 2019 by Enribote

[Shyheels]

I wouldn’t advise it. Not at all. 

[Enribote]

Why is it dangerous?

because of islamic laws against LGBT?

[Pierre1961]

I wouldn't do it neither! 

[Chorlini]

1 hour ago, Enribote said:

Why is it dangerous?

because of islamic laws against LGBT?

Because it is a Islamic country and because Dubai, as part of the UAE is a BIG sponsor of radical Islam and Islamic terrorism, including ISIS. Not to forgot the terrible war in Yemen. They just get away with it by making themselves very useful to the West. Do not mistake the country's modern look for a modern outlook. They tolerate a lot of what they think is degenerate behavior from Westerners, but do you want to run the risk that they will draw the line at a guy in heels? Best to pack some flipflops.

[at9]

There's only one country in the middle east region where you'd be OK wearing heels. And it isn't Arab. And it's the only country in the region that has a gay pride parade. Though if you go through Ben Gurion airport (arriving or departing) in heels you might get even more questions than they usually ask. The security is heavy but effective, a lot better than the theatricals you get as an apology for security in Europe. Unlike Europe they don't worry about you taking a water bottle in your hand baggage.

But anywhere else in the region in heels? No.

[Shyheels]

2 hours ago, Enribote said:

Why is it dangerous?

because of islamic laws against LGBT?

You can get arrested there for almost anything - it is becoming notorious. There was a story in the papers a few months ago about a contractor from Scotland who bumped into a guy in a crowded bar and was accused of making a homosexual advance - and promptly jailed. Cost him thousands to get out, and it took months. I have been through there many times. That is not a place to fool around. 

[Bubba136]

Perhaps you should leave your heels at home for this trip.  Singapore has some unorthodox laws and enforcement practices also.  I know because I used to live there. Perhaps the only country left where people really behave.

Edited May 29, 2019 by Bubba136

[Shyheels]

As they say, Singapore is a fine country. They’ve a fine for this, and a fine for that...you can get fined for anything

Edited May 30, 2019 by Shyheels

[Bubba136]

Like I said, people behave!  

[Shyheels]

I certainly did when I was there

[SF]

Go ahead, give it a try and report back....  Will be interesting for sure...  sf

 

[Shyheels]

Maybe we can even read about it in the newspapers...

[hhboots]

It's just common sense... search online and you can find a number of horror stories about non-islamic travelers in that region being arrested for stupid reasons and facing months of hell trying to regain their freedom. 

Those countries will go after anyone that does not conform to their beliefs or social norms,  just being a westerner is enough to put you on their radar, but they don't like any deviant behavior (which this would be in their eyes) .  There is no way I would risk it, it's just not worth it.

[Heelster]

There are a lot of places I will travel - - Middle east - - Not likely without corporate employee escorts from that country. I regularly travel into Cartel controlled areas of Mexico, but my coworkers from the area make sure I don't get into trouble.

[HappyinHeels]

Enribote,

I know you like your heels but I highly recommend against showing them in Dubai. As Chorlini wisely pointed out do not mistake the country's modern appearance for a modern social outlook. Dubai adopted its current western-looking and tourist-friendly facade because they knew they were about to run out of oil and they do indeed tolerate forms of behaviour from Westerners normally obnoxious for them because they need the income. It is as simple as that. There is a reason democracies in Islamic countries as rare as radium. I happened to live in one of them in Turkey but even Turkey has become more authoritarian of late. Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan are probably the freest but the rest are authoritarian states. Lebanon used to be nice until the Iran-influenced Hezbollah got a stronghold there. 

Whilst I am neither a Muslim or Jewish I nevertheless use my five senses to come to a rational conclusion. Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East. Jordan is a kingdom with many of the underpinnings of democracy and Turkey was a dynamic democracy until the last ten years. Tunisia is freer than it has ever been and may turn out to be the freest Islamic nation of all. Morocco, while not in the Middle East, is an Islamic-majority nation with a workable democracy and is friendly to the West but it is not hard to get into trouble there. If you are not in one of the aforementioned countries you are in a place of one-party rule where religion if politics and vice-versa. Women are not treated well, electricity comes and goes, the side of the road is a longitudinal dump, and police/military checkpoints are a national pastime. If this description doesn't paint the picture then I don't know what does. Absorb the advice of others well-travelled and do what what seems best for you. Whilst I have learned about 100 words or so of Arabic in my travels, and it does do wonders to open more doors, I also recognise these people have a different outlook on life and we are not part of it. Ultimately the traveller has one goal in mind; to go happily and without undue delay. Never forget that. Je vous souhaite tout le meilleur sur vos voyages. HappyinHeels

[Pierre1961]

100% right 

i have travelled in some of these countries. I wouldn't wear heels there. 

Even if airport are some how international areas I wouldn't take the risk 

To add an French expression: "profil bas".   That means : don't make any wave. 

[Enribote]

that means no heels while in connection in Dubai and no heels in Singapore?  

i was really hoping to spend a week in heels

[Shyheels]

That's exactly what it means. 

[Enribote]

Hi everyone,

Even though I don't like your answer, they are probably reasonable to follow.

Merci à tous

Thnaks to you all for coming back to me on this and same me probably a lot of troubles 

[Pierre1961]

Nice boots. With the  poor Notre Dame in the background ! 

[Enribote]

Merci @Pierre1961

[HappyinHeels]

Je vous en prie/You're welcome. HinH

[Chorlini]

On 6/2/2019 at 7:53 AM, Enribote said:

that means no heels while in connection in Dubai and no heels in Singapore?  

i was really hoping to spend a week in heels

Common sense always must take precedence over desire. Certainly in this case. Pack a pair or two in your luggage for in private, but wear something normal for the journey. You are not living in the West, people. The biggest common mistake that Westerners make when they travel abroad is that they continue to behave as if they are still in the West. Like ignore the dress code, the religious code, or the most stupid, use narcotics like weed. And in too many places of the world they get away with it, because the locals have become utter whores for Western cash. Which reinforces that behavior. But there are also many places in the world that don't put up with that behavior. And you know what, I'm 100% cool with that. Their country, their rules. There's endless talk in the West that the new immigrants should integrate into Western society and not become yet another shadow society within the West, so why should we get to behave abroad like we are still back home? Our countries, our rules, their countries, their rules.

[at9]

Never mind drugs that are illegal in your own country, you know about them. Beware of some over-the-counter and prescription medication that 100% legal at home but illegal in some countries. Some of the problems are ones you might not expect.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/4850748/prescription-drugs-abroad-banned-egypt-laws-tramadol-codeine/