Life in a foreign land can be very fun, yet lonely at some point. The UAE has all the opportunities, people and places to visit. Nevertheless, it may appear to be difficult to make new friends in the new environment. It takes time and effort to establish real connections, whether you have moved here to work, study or to have a new life.
The positive thing is that the UAE has numerous opportunities to find new friends and establish long-term friendships. A good example is Sure Space, which is a modern community site that assists individuals in sharing common interests and connecting the Emirates.
Knowing the Culture of the UAE
It is always good to know the culture that surrounds you before making friends. The UAE is a country of over 200 nationalities. This renders it among the most varied nations in the world. Locals, expats, and tourists will live and work in the same places.
Here, the culture is founded on respect, hospitality and openness. Individuals in the UAE are mostly amiable and courteous. Emiratis are traditional people, and at the same time, accommodating to foreigners who respect their values. Kindness, patience, and respect would do wonders towards creating friendships.
Most of the interactions between people start with such a gesture as a smile or a greeting. Such simple Arabic phrases as “Marhaba” (hello) or “Shukran” (thank you) can help you find your way instantly. Although the majority of people may speak English, it is better to care about the local language and traditions and show interest to be closer.
Friend Making by Work and Education
When you have immigrated to the UAE to work or study, that is the best starting point, which is your office or the university. Most individuals make their initial friends in workplaces, learning institutions or the best social networking platform in Dubai. The majority of city offices, such as in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, consist of multi-country populations.
Team lunches, after-work events or company events can be attended by you in order to learn more about your colleagues. The culture of work-life balance is also high in the UAE, implying that individuals tend to socialise at the end of working hours. Being willing to talk and demonstrating that you actually care about other people is all that is necessary to make you relate well.
Universities usually have clubs, social groups and sports activities for the students. Attending such events not only makes you get to know new people but also boosts your confidence. According to many international students in the UAE, attending cultural or language exchange clubs is an experience which allowed them to make some of the closest friends.
Visiting Social Groups and Community Events
The UAE has a broad scope of community activities in which you can exchange interests with other people. Starting with fitness classes, art workshops, book clubs, language meetups, and so on, everyone will find something to do. The vibrant social life specifically characterises Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Community events may be searched online, or it is possible to join social media groups specialising in local meetups. Other expatriate groups hold frequent coffee mornings, weekends, or networking events. Such meetings are an excellent opportunity to find new friends and exchange experiences.
Social networking sites such as Sure-Space can even assist you by hooking you up with other people in your community who share your pastime. If you like hiking, yoga, cooking, or volunteering, can you find other people who share your interests? The most encouraging thing about them is that the awkwardness of meeting strangers is eliminated through these platforms, and it is easier to initiate a conversation.
Places to visit also include community centres, coworking centres, and hobby clubs. Mostly after workouts, there is a social session in most gyms and sports clubs, in case you are a fitness fanatic. If you like art or music, local galleries and performance venues often have open events where you can meet creative people.
Using Online Platforms and Apps
Technology is a tremendous factor in the current digital world, and it is used to facilitate the connection of people. The UAE is a wealth of online communities where both locals and expatriates meet online via social networks, applications, and online forums. The tools would be particularly beneficial when you are shy or have never had much experience with face-to-face communication.
Apps that are aimed at finding friends and not only dating exist. There are individuals in your locality with whom you can have in common hobbies or lifestyles. Most expats also follow Facebook groups or WhatsApp communities to be able to keep up with local events, festivals, or interest-based groups.
Nevertheless, one must remain vigilant when making use of online applications and meeting new individuals in society. The first thing that should always be valued is safety and privacy. It is also possible to use LinkedIn or professional networks to find people in your industry and slowly convert the professional friendship to a personal friendship.
The other efficient means of making friends through the internet is through volunteer groups. Most organisations in the UAE conduct charity events, beach clean-ups or educational campaigns. Once you volunteer to work on a good basis, then you automatically find like-minded people who are concerned about the same values. Such friendships tend to become firmer since they are founded on common ends.
Speaking Open, Positive and Consistent
Friendship is not acquired immediately. It requires patience, consistency and the right attitude. In the first place, when you relocate to a different country, such as the UAE, the first thing that will come up is cultural differences or social barriers. But never mind that, you should not take it out of the question.
Time to be receptive to new experiences and varieties of thinking. UAE people represent all nations of the world; thus, you will find different cultures, traditions, and views. In fact, this is one of the best things about living here: you learn a lot about other people.
Small steps can lead to meaningful relationships. Smile more often, start small talks, and don’t hesitate to invite people for coffee or a casual meal. You’ll be surprised how many people are also looking for new friends, especially expats who are far from their home countries.
It is also useful in following up on a meeting with someone. Send a cordial message or arrange a second meeting. Regularity indicates that you really appreciate the friendship. Also, it is a good idea to remember that real relations require time to develop, and that is always worth the effort.
When you feel lonely or isolated in any way, group functions and going to the local bars can cheer you up. Socialising spots such as the best social networking platform in Dubai are generally crowded with people who like meeting others in the UAE. One friendly conversation is enough to start a long-term relationship sometimes.
Conclusion
It is not so easy to find friends in the UAE; however, the problem is resolved when you open yourself and participate in the community around you. You will find like-minded people and those who share your interests and values, as you have a positive mindset and are ready to communicate with anyone. The reason is that the UAE is a diverse setting in which true friendships can be formed by the person, which would last a lifetime.
Do note that you can establish communication with people in various ways: by working, by studying, by hobbies, and on the Internet. Applications and networks such as Sure Space can also be useful in making new people feel welcomed and embraced. You will find an opportunity to make friends in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates.
Friendship is all about being nice, respectful and sincere at the end of the day. Continue to appear, be inquisitive and allow people a chance to know the real you. The UAE is not only a place to live but a place to belong, develop and create a lifetime memory with new friends that quickly become almost like family.
