Rainy weather in UAE = Armageddon

Brace yourself, but yesterday I wore a long-sleeved shirt.

In the desert. Because it was actually cold.

I awoke around 7.30am and there were clouds in the sky. Real clouds! They were dark. And they were angry. We had not felt the comfortable sensation of rain falling in this land for some time now. At least a few months based on my calculations. 

Rain soaked the country and there were photos in The National that showed hail had even fallen. Social media was awash with photos of some snow on the side of roads.

One woman was quoted as saying she was 'completely astonished' by the weather and that 'nothing like this has happened since 1993.'

Now I like to kid around with my 'way back when dates' from the 1990's, too:

"Whoa, I haven't heard this song since '95..."

--OR--

"I haven't dunked a basketball since Desert Storm..."

Maybe this woman was playing on that. What really happened in 1993 that incited her reference?

Anyway, reading about the driving issues during inclement weather can be funny and downright scary at the same time. Like when a drop of rain falls, everything breaks down...

According to this article in yesterday's edition, one person died and three were injured in seven road accidents blamed on rainy weather in Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, two more died as 556 road incidents were reported.

Now I don't know what the difference between 'road accidents' and 'road incidents' are but doesn't that seem like a big disparity of numbers between the two cities? Are Abu Dhabi drivers less likely to freak out behind the wheel during rainy weather?? Car insurance companies in Dubai must be licking their lips at those numbers.

As one colleague pointed out -- and this was taken directly from the article -- the Al Ain Municipality held a meeting of it emergency and crisis committee in response to the rainy weather. Complete hysteria! Emergency! Red alert, red alert!!

Oh, and last but not least, we had another case of conflicting headlines in yesterday's paper. On one page, there was mention of 'harsh weather conditions' next to photos of mild flooding from the deluge and citizens walking in the rain.

The very next page, the headline read "Farms in east UAE face water shortage".

Public displays of affection (PDA) allowed in UAE?

I noticed him walking towards us because it was a strange sight.

Under a fierce sun, a grown man, wearing a long-sleeve button-up security shirt and slacks, wiped a stream of sweat from his forehead as his black dress shoes sort of slouched though the sand while he walked.

When he came within a few meters of us, I started to wonder about the reason for his journey. When he arrived and as he stood over us, briefly shielding the sun from our faces, he spoke.

"This..." he said. "We do not do at the Corniche."

I peeled the sunglasses off my face to find out what he was babbling about. He then made a gesture in my direction and that's when I finally realized what was happening.

As if she had cooties, I quickly pulled my arm off my wife, who was sun bathing next to me. We had been laying together on towels at the Corniche beach and without thinking twice, I had extended my arm across her torso.

No big deal, right? Innocent enough.

But, according to this security guard, my actions with the woman I am married to was in violation. This form of affection -- yes, as subdued as you would think -- was not allowed while at the beach.

I did not get mad and apologized to the security guard. He sort of gave me a "I know it's a stupid rule but I have to enforce it" look before he politely thanked me and then started his long walk back to the chair and umbrella he had set up near the vacant lifeguard stand.

We had only been living in Abu Dhabi for about a week at that point and it was my first brush with the law. There were no tickets issued. The police were not called.

Just a gentle reminder of what you are allowed to do in public and what is frowned upon.

*   *   *

Ahhh, the old public display of affection (PDA) question comes up a lot when I talk with people getting ready to re-locate to the UAE. It's a valid concern and one that I carried over when I moved here in late 2012.

First of all: Relax. You are probably making it a bigger deal then it is. You probably have done your research and read all the online chat forums, blogs, etc. Don't let all that stuff scare you. 

Listen, it really comes down to respect. In the Arab culture, they consider open displays of affection (between men and women) very disrespectful. Yet, it is not uncommon to see two men, walking down the street, holding hands. I know, very strange.

What I'm trying to say is that when expats are in plain view of Emiratis -- perhaps at the beach -- it is probably not the best idea to makeout with your significant other. 

Just be respectful. I don't think I really crossed the line at the Corniche. You probably agree with me. But perhaps someone saw my arm around my wife, was offended and complained to the security guard. Who knows?

Regardless, my wife and I are quite affectionate with one another in public and we have never really had any major issues in the two years we have lived here. When we go out at night -- bars, clubs, etc. -- the situation is a little different.

We may be out dancing and/or kissing in a crowded club and the worst thing that happens is a security guard may tap you on the shoulder and wave his finger. Slightly embarrassing, yes, but we've never been thrown out of the place or anything like that.

So in essence (and this goes for just about anything when traveling): don't be an ass. 

Just be conscience of the host country's laws and customs. And be respectful. If you do that, you shouldn't have to give it a second thought.