A visit to a different country is an opportunity to learn about a new culture. On a short visit, an easy source for such an exchange are locals engaged in the tourist industry. As I hit the streets of Abu Dhabi, I quickly realized that locals are are rare breed. In a rough sampling of sidewalk traffic, I counted about one local for every twenty other nationalities. Emirati men are easily recognizable by their immaculate kandura, a neck-to-sandal white dress, which seems to be the mandatory uniform. They often wear a short trimmed beard, while the headdress is optional. They are slim and tall, and they glide, rather than walk, like the masters of the universe which they are, until they disappear into a waiting car. in the many bus rides I have taken, I have not seen a single Emirati. Emirati women are even more scarce. They are totally covered in black, and are always accompanied by a man. Another location for spotting Emiratis are the luxury malls, where they can be observed shopping, or relaxing over a coffee. I am sure some of them work, but none do so in the lower ranks of the tourism professions, and thus, they are not approachable to a short-term visitor like me.
Locals aside, Abud Dhabi streets are teeming with people. Most, or 90%, according to Google, are migrant workers who fill the unskilled, or semi-skilled labor force. They come from all the usual places: India, Pakistan, Philippines, and various Africans countries. They are friendly, speak English, and seem to be happy.
