ABU DHABI // Emiratis and Asian residents believe they are often unfairly stereotyped.
Most respondents agree that residents stereotype people based on difference in cultural backgrounds, nationality, social status, ethnicity or religion.
People from Asian countries are believed to be the most stereotyped nationality group, according to 50 per cent of respondents.
UAE nationals believe they are the second most stereotyped after Asians, with 40 per cent saying they feel this way.
To ensure stereotypes are dispelled, respondents suggest equal treatment for residents and more interaction between people from different cultures.
“The first thing is for people to realise what the stereotypes are,” says Dr Jane Bristol-Rhys. “I think part of it is jealousy.
“We all stereotype each other. There are stereotypes about every nationality. Getting to know people and interacting helps.”
Aqif Halim, 26, a Pakistani, believes other nationalities often have unfair beliefs about his compatriots. “People think that we are lazy, moody and have an attitude,” Mr Halim says. “These are people who don’t know us.”
Vijay Kumar is from India and works in a finance company in Abu Dhabi.
“A stereotype I see is that people think Indians don’t really want to come and live here,” Mr Kumar says. “They are of the opinion that Indians come here, stay for a couple of years, complete their contracts and go back home.”
The longer people have been living in the UAE, the less they think people are stereotyped.
Nearly half of those asked admit stereotyping people from other nationality groups.
Alaeddine Ghazouani says: “There is a general consensus that greater interaction across cultures, treating everyone equally and better cross-cultural awareness and education programmes would best promote understanding across cultures and reduce possible misconceptions.”
jbell@thenational.ae
ARizvi2@thenational.ae
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A survey, commissioned by The National and carried out by YouGov, polled 1,056 Emiratis and expatriates on social integration in the UAE. Results showed that respondents believed expatriates had an obligation to gain a basic knowledge of Arabic culture and Islamic influence before relocating to the UAE. The survey showed that UAE residents are willing to mix with different nationalities however differences become apparent at the workplace where salary disparities exist depending on an employees nationality.
Read more on our social integration survery here:
■ Expats should be more aware of UAE culture, survey respondents say
■ UAE residents stress importance of preserving Arabic language
■ UAE residents happy to mix with different nationalities, survey shows
■ 'Western workers favoured in UAE', survey respondents say
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles
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Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Sassuolo v Bologna (11.45pm)
Saturday
Brescia v Torino (6pm)
Inter Milan v Verona (9pm)
Napoli v Genoa (11.45pm)
Sunday
Cagliari v Verona (3.30pm)
Udinese v SPAL (6pm)
Sampdoria v Atalanta (6pm)
Lazio v Lecce (6pm)
Parma v Roma (9pm)
Juventus v Milan (11.45pm)