Globalization and diversity always sounded music to my ears. Nevertheless, living it, is another story. Studying Training and Development, which is the seventh course towards my Masters degree in Human Resources; I find myself in a class alongside two Emiratis, two Indians, two Americans, one Jordanian, one Nigerian, one Jamaican and one Iranian. Where, from one angle— I get to hear the enlightening perspectives of my colleagues belonging to different parts of the world, contrarily I have to work on projects where our conflicting viewpoints can stir an academic world war. And it’s not only the myriad nationalities, but the varying age groups, background, social stratum, values, career ladder, family, accomplishments and the interiority of an individual that one has to tackle in the package.
Interestingly, in Dubai sizing up different nationalities relative to associated stereotypes is common knowledge. It is astonishing how people instead of being xenophobic, are mingling in different social circles where they are open to critique, contretemps and razzing each other with the rigid typecasts. However, under the professional umbrella, there is a facade of policies and procedures in most workplaces, which masks a prejudiced salary system, compensating employees based on their nationalities. This is blanketed through devising the bands, grades and policies in a way that justifies it as legit and fair discrimination. Naturally, like a magnet, this attracts some nationalities for the higher salaries, others belonging to third world countries are just happy living in the superficial insomniac city; living a life far well-off then one imaginable in their own countries. Paradoxically, these open secrets, cutthroat environment and scandalous opinions about each other, makes living under one cloud realistic, motivating and exhilarating. In the fantastical realm of man-made skyscrapers and artificial snow— it clears the fog off your eyes, keeps you grounded.
Subsisting amongst numerous nationalities, subtly imparts and educes one with invaluable and timeless ethnological knowledge. Delving back in the memory land; studying in a city filled with approximate 85% expat community, Dubai taught me a lot more lessons than my specialized HR degree possibly could alone:
Psychology: It is riveting how thought-provoking and electrifying people can be. By interacting with other ethnicities, their school of thought and divergent views propel you to dig deeper. Interpreting different chain of thoughts and three-dimensional perspectives sharpens your analytical skills.
Emotional intelligence: You learn to develop tolerance for people of different backgrounds; adapt to their pace. You learn to be able to identify, assess and manage emotions, within yourself and that while reacting to others around you.
“Recognize yourself in he and she who are not like you and me.” ― Carlos Fuentes
Culture: The Arabic culture is fascinating, living it, you learn to walk in their shoes. Their traditions, customs, dressing and language elaborates the significance of cultural diversity from these cultural differences as one grasps traditions, discipline and morals from the other. It is also fascinating how accommodating the Arabs are with the foreign avalanche. Approximately 85% of the population in UAE is expatriates, this multicultural environment genuinely embodies a global village with encyclopedic experiences.
Religion: Being a Islamic republic, the official religion is Islam and the language- Arabic. You learn how to coexist in mutual tolerance despite different ideologies. In Ramadan, eating in public places is prohibited, adapting this espouses discipline and understanding towards the Islamic culture. The government follows a policy of tolerance toward other religions.
“Christian, Jew, Muslim, shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the mystery, unique and not to be judged”
― Rumi
Politics: You understand that there is competition and cliques of employees that would indulge in partiality advancing certain people versus other, up the career ladder. However you learn diplomacy, international relations and prudence to watch your own back.
Darwinism: Yes, with saturated markets, competitiveness is a global dilemma. However, having acutely unique demographics, and a mammoth expat workforce, you develop incisive survival instincts. Speculate the UAE as GE company. Theoretically, you are constantly in the Jack Welch’s ‘20-70-10' forced-ranking system, where if you are in the bottom 10 percent you get fired. There’s always a Damocles’ sword hanging over your head, for you are easily replace with the queue of adept potential employees. Consequently, you learn to ameliorate yourself incessantly by updating your skills, training, education, certification— working hard and smart to be ahead of the pack.
It is a herculean task to be able to survive in a melange of different cultures. Like these high-rises standing tall together yet trying to be visible from the shadow of the other. Yet this melting pot teaches one strength in togetherness, empathy, survival of the fittest. My closest friends in Dubai were a Nigerian, an American and an Indian. It’s only when you tug one’s heartstrings, you comprehend their obstacles, beliefs, background, values and lifestyle is more so a mirrored image then your wildest dreams.
We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.
The media semblance portraying an artfully brushed-up picture of ethnic war and cultural domination often stirs the toxic effect of bigoted judgement calls. When you get a shot to expunge the shielding makeup, you see there’s more to people than meets the broadcasting eye.
There’s always the human instincts of denial, tribal loyalty, revenge and greed but to advance, be unified and globalized in the truest sense, we need to be a color-blind society. For white and black are mere shades within us; and every man is cognizant of his DNA, hence sheer delight lies in the colors which makes life more interesting and beautiful.
